Paddletail laid eggs

[nicole]

My female paddletail laid eggs! I'm very excited but very nervous as you can imagine. She laid them in a bunch of plants where she likes to hang out. She is staying pretty much on top of them and whenever I go near she starts moving her tail. I'm taking this as a sign of her telling me to stay away. Should I move them out of the tank or let her do her thing?

 

[abrahm]

That's great! I hope you have good luck with those little eggs. I'm not sure as to the best care, but this sheet has some breeding info as does the Caudata Culture care sheet.

The females actually guard the eggs, but she may get rather aggressive towards her tank mates now. Hopefully someone experienced in newt egg care will be by shortly.

I really hope that you have success as few people have. What conditions do you keep the animals in? Did you change something recently? Was there a winter cooling period? Any specifics you have would be great for the rest of us.

 

[nicole]

The only differences lately are that:

1 - she has been eating her earthworms every night getting nice and chunky so the males are hanging around her more often without as much aggression

and

2 - Every morning I have been taking the cover off the tank to cool it down. I put the cover on at night because she used to try to climb out of the tank when she was at the petstore, and well, I sleep so I can't keep an eye on her.

If that's what gets them in the mood so be it. Who am I to argue with them.

Thanks for the info.

 

[jennifer]

Wow, that's really amazing. How long have you had these newts? Breeding in captivity for paddletails is really rare. Can you take any photos? If you don't have a digicam, maybe you can borrow one.

Yikes, don't leave the lid off, even during the day! I would recommend getting a screen lid instead. The kind that has a hinge allows you to keep a light on top and put cords/tubing through holes cut in them.

 

[nicole]

I had them since January of this year. I really wasn't trying to breed them. When I bought them my 4 year old daughter was the one to choose them and I didn't know their gender until I joined this forum. I have just been trying to keep them healthy and happy. Apparently, I'm doing ok.

I do have a makeshift screen. It's a bow shaped aquarium so the screen isn't professionally made. The original lid is glass which is what I use to keep the screen firmly on. I open the glass during the day which is okay since I'm home taking care of the kids and someone is always watching them (except at bedtime).

 

[nicole]

Ok, so after reading what Abrahm suggested, it looks like I'll leave the eggs in the tank with her. If she eats them then I'll know to take them out next time. Right now, she seems pretty protective and the guys are staying away.

If anyone else has any suggestions, I'm willing to hear.

Thanks!

 

[chris]

pics, please.

 

[abrahm]

Would you mind describing your setup? Posting pictures or giving me links to threads where you already did so? I'd love to see what your enclosure looks like. Also, do you have a general idea of the temperature that they have been kept at since you purchased them?

Also, pics of the eggs and mother would be great too. Remember, it's for science and Pachytriton owners everywhere!

 

[jennifer]

Ah, you've had them only since January. Thus, they were probably "conditioned" for breeding while still in the wild.

I agree with what Abrahm said: anything you can tell us about tank, temperatures, etc. would be a benefit both to science and to other newt-keepers. You really are witnessing a VERY rare event.

If you don't have a digital camera, would you be willing to try to borrow one?

 

[nicole]

My husband has one which my 19 month old son got a hold of and broke. Once he gets it fixed I'll try to take pictures. I do have a picture of the mother taken before the camera fiasco. I'll try to get it uploaded. I'm not very good with digital stuff.

As for tank set-up, they are in a 3/4 water set-up. I have a hide-away rock that she used to go into but was taken over by the larger male. She stays by a large rock that is half in, half out of the water. For some reason, she likes to be in the shallow end (maybe mimicks rivers?). There is a small filter and heater that keeps the water from getting too cold (I live in a late 1600s home so there are lots of drafts. Not to mention we shut off the heat in that room at night) Anyways, she seems to like it. She always hangs out on it when not in her shallow end. There are lots and lots of live plants in the water. What kind I really can't tell you because I just buy whatever I think looks pretty or that they would like. She likes big leafy ones. Temperature on the land portion never goes below 55 - 60. I plan on getting her her own hideaway rock and putting it so the lower level is submerged but not the upper level. That's how the other one is.

I realize the set-up isn't exactly how it should be for these guys but they like it and every one has their own spot. They eat everyday or every other day and they're active (especially when they know food is coming).

Jennifer, what do you mean by "'conditioned' for breeding while still in the wild"?

 

[jennifer]

It happens sometimes that people to buy wild-caught newts and have them lay eggs very soon thereafter. In order to reach breeding condition, most newts need a cold period. For a species such as paddletails, which live in cold mountain streams, this is probably a period at near-freezing temperatures. This cold period conditions the females to make eggs internally, and conditions the males to come into breeding condition. One of the reasons that some species (including paddletails) rarely breed in captivity is because of the lack of this cold period. It's not easy to achieve it indoors, and most people keep their newts indoors. I suspect that your newts were "conditioned" by cold temperatures they experienced prior to import.

If there weren't already eggs in the tank, I would encourage you to throw out the heater. Your newts would probably enjoy VERY cold temperatures during winter. As things are, it may be better to keep things as-is.

Paddletails are "rheophiles". (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheophile) They like a current, as this is what they are used to in the wild. I think your female hangs out near the filter due to the current, not the warmth.

By the time your camera is repaired I fear it may be too late to document anything. Do you have a friend or neighbor with a camera? (Sorry if I'm being a pest!)

 

[heather]

Any update with the eggs, Nicole?

 

[nicole]

Sorry, I haven't been around. I was out of state since March 17th due to my uncle's very unexpected death and needed to stay with my aunt. Unfortunately, when I returned the eggs were gone. I do have a picture of the mother but I'm having trouble posting them.

I'm still trying to get things back in order between here and with my aunt so I'll try my best to get them posted.