New Tiger Salamander

[lindsey]

I went out tonight and got a new tiger larva because my old one passed awway this moring. I wasnt to make sure I do everything right his time. I've got him in an 8 gallon tank, but right now I've only put 5 gallons in it/ I noticed at the shop there was much less water in their tank, and they kept 3 salamaders in there. How much water is just right? I tried feeding him shrimp pellets, but I'm going to get some earth worms tomorrow. He has a large rock in his tank so that he can climb out is he wants, and that he can hide behind (i understand they like to hide). Is there anythng else I should do for him, and am I doing everything right so far?

 

[rob]

Hey Lindsey,

Sounds good so far...although I'm sure you can put a little more water in. Do you ahve a filter or anything? If not make sure you clean it up regularly so that the water doesn't pollute.

When I raised my tigers from larva they went crazy for frozen foods like bloodworms and krill, so you may want to look into those. Live foods are great, and I fed earthworms and blackworms to mine regularly...with the occasional cricket in my tweezers submerged under water for them.

Make sure that once you see the gills being absorbed and the adult colouration is starting to come through that you have given the animal a way to escape the water.

When the tiger morphs you're going to want a tank with a soil bottom...preferrably fairly deep, about 5 inches or so. This way the tiger will be able to bury in the soil. A few pieces of bark would help as well. If you put any rock into the tank, put it in before you put the soil into the tank, so that the tiger won't bury under it and get squished.

Hope that helps,
Rob