Nominate C. ensicauda larvae (Uke Island origin)

[TJ]

 

[anthony]

Very nice! If you don't mind me asking, how often do the larvae need feeding?

Anthony

 

[TJ]

Thanks, Anthony.

A lot of people use daphnia, but I feed hatchlings baby brine shrimp twice a day. Unlike those C. pyrrhogaster larvae I posted a photo of the other day, these nominate ensicauda are already big enough to handle the smallest tubifex worms. Worms are provided about a day (though this depends on the presence or absence of leftover worm balls -- these can be shaken to redistribute the worms if water quality allows for them to be kept in there in the first place.

Funny thing if, after all that trouble, often the ones left in the adults' tank develop faster (if they're not themselves eaten -- though adequately fed ensicauda adults are not voracious larvae eaters). The survive (and prosper!) by feeding on microorganisms in the tank

Anyway, check out that gorgeous sheen on the tail of that adult male. Tail sheens are not seen with males of the other subspecies of ensicauda, or C. ensicauda popei. You may also notice a deformed mouth. I don't know the cause but it was like this when I caught it.

(Message edited by TJ on June 18, 2006)

 

[anthony]

Interesting to note.......is there an advantage to keeping larvae in the adults enclosure(besides the subsequent snack)? I've breed frogs from the species Theloderma(Theloderma Asperum) to me more precise, and it's always worked in my favor to keep the larvae in with the adults(more micro-organisms) to feed off of and such. Plus, if your lazy, then it make feeding a snap as well.

The sheen on that male is beautiful! Unlike any I've seen, but the mouth issue makes this individual unique. Makes him stand out so to speak. Thanks for the pictures Tim. I really enjoy them. I've kept newts many years ago, when I was a boy, so the pictures and captive notes really help me to understand these animals. I'm going to school for my Bachelors of Zoology(with an emphasis on amphibians). So this site is fantastic just for that.

Anthony

 

[TJ]

Sounds great. I sure wish I'd studied biology when I had the chance.

As for standing out, that's not the case...in this case at least. There's another just like it

I posted about these before at:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/13/37429.html?1118368451

 

[anthony]

You got me there Tim, still great looking............Interesting how the 3 have deformed mouths...........great looking animals despite this.

Anthony

 

[TJ]

Thanks. They're nice animals.

This female is very gravid, to say the least:

 

[anthony]

WOW, gravid indeed...................again, great shots............

Anthony