P. laoensis info, please

[jewett]

This species has really caught my eye in the last few days - they are beautiful!
So I have been reading old threads on them trying to gather info. But I have not found answers to all my questions. So here are a few:

It seems they get about 15-22cm in length, is this correct?

In what type of set up are they kept? All the photos I have seen seem to be aqautic, so are they entirely aquatic year round? What is the size of the tank, and how many animals per tank are housed together? I have read in an old post that they do not behave aggressively towards one another, does this still seem the case?

What temps are they kept, and how deep is the water kept?

How hardy are they, and do they eat well?

And lastly, who in the USA is attempting to breed these amazing animals? I applaude certain members of this forum for their efforts in captive breeding this species. Any idea how many more years and other enthusiasts will be able to obtain CB animals in the US?
Thanks for any info,
Heather

 

[paul_b]

Hi Heather!

Here a Photo of my tank (100 * 40 * 50 cm):

More photos of them you find here:
http://de.geocities.com/paramesotriton_deloustali/laoensis/laoensis.htm

I keep a pair, full aquatic, no aggression.
My male 17,5 cm my female 22 cm.
Breeding in winter, after changing most of the water. Laying eggs between 15 - 18 °C.
Temperature of adult 15 - 25 °C.
Juvenile on land.

Paul

p.s. come to Gersfeld and you can get some of my breeding!

 

[jewett]

Thanks for responding Paul! They sound like a good sized animal, as all the other species of newt I have kept are on the smallish side. I thought of one other qusetion - do they like a current?
I would love to go to Gersfeld, I have not been to Europe in years and aside from all the culture and history, I can't think of a better reason to go than getting newts When is the Gersfeld show, anyway? I have an uncle planning a trip to Paris next month, I wonder how receptive he would be to bringing home a box of caudates for me... Seriously, would you be willing to ship any of the morphs to France?
About the morphs, about what size are they now, and do you have any idea how long they will be terrestrial before returning to the water? The foods I have fed terrestrial morphs have been springtails, white worms, blackworms in a dish, and earthworm chunks offered on the end of a toothpick, but I have forgotten what you posted you have been feeding them.

 

[Jennewt]

I hope to see some captive bred of this species get to the US some day. I certainly haven't heard of any being bred here.

Regarding bringing back animals from overseas, the details are more difficult than you might imagine.

 

[John]

I feel the same way as Heather, I would really like to acquire some.

 

[jewett]

That is disappointing to hear about importing, Jen, but not suprising. I am sure it is beyond what I could do, but where would one look to find the information about bringing some to the States? There must be someone here who has done it before with newts - maybe Michael Shrom? If there was enough interested parties, then maybe we could pool our resources together. So does the problem lay mostly in paperwork and finances? P. laoensis is so stunning, theres got to be a way to get them here!

 

[John]

And they seem to tolerate warmer water temps than most Paramesotriton species.

 

[paul_b]

And they seem to tolerate warmer water temps than most Paramesotriton species.

I would not try more than 26 °C!

Paul

 

[paul_b]

I hope to see some captive bred of this species get to the US some day. I certainly haven't heard of any being bred here.

If someone wants to bring them to USA - good and legale - I can reserve some!
But following conditions, because it was very expensive to bring them up. No free day for half a year:

- I give them only to people which also want to breed and join in Register.
http://www.ag-urodela.de/molchregister_laoensis_deloustali/laoensis_deloustali.htm

- minimum of 5 juvenile (to build a breeding group), max. 10 (not to trade) for each person.

- I don't want to send them.

Paul

 

[jewett]

Paul, what time of year is Gersfeld held? I plan a big trip once a year, and I have never been to Germany. I think I want to seriously look into this...
Of course I would want to get enough to breed, at least 5 if not more, and Registering would be no problem. Would it be less hassle to try to bring home eggs - as in less red tape?

 

[paul_b]

Heather,
our meeting in Gersfeld is from 26.10.07 to 28.10.07. Look here:
http://www.ag-urodela.de/mpkt_2_tagungen.htm

I three times tried to send eggs - not possible if sending takes more than 2 days!

Paul

 

[John]

Heather: http://www.caudata.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=4&day=2007-10-26&c=1

Been there for a long time...

Also, please don't discuss things of questionable legality here.

 

[jewett]

Oops, so sorry John