RobM
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- London / Kent
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- Rob M.
After attempting to help a new member with a problem with his P.hongkongensis yesterday, I was shocked to see there wasn't a care sheet for the species. So seeing as I have had a lot of time to waste the last two days, I thought it would not only be educational for me to start one, but also perhaps a way I could contribute more to caudata.org. I do not yet know whether that this caresheet will be accepted by the administration, however even if it is not, I hope it can be used to help create a caresheet by someone else.
Although I only consider it a start and am continuing working on it, I am posting what I have done so far in hope that keepers of this species could help me extend it. I would appreciate if anyone who has experience with this species could help. Is there any special requirements you give/have given when keeping them? Any differing behaviour in captivity? Basically anything interesting that you think should go into the caresheet.
**NOTE: IF YOU ARE READING THIS LOOKING FOR A CARESHEET FOR THIS SPECIES PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CARESHEET IS INCOMPLETE, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A COMPLETE VERSION PLEASE CHECK: Caudata Culture Species Entry - Paramesotriton hongkongensis
Description
Paramesotriton hongkongensis is a robust, largely aquatic species found near the coastal Guangdong and Hong Kong, Chinese regions. Adults normally reach lengths of 14-16cm and have a smooth olive to dark brown body. Colouration can largely vary from area of origin with some showing a variable vertebral orange ridge.
Sometimes confused with P.chinensis, P.hongkongensis is less warty and has a more pronounced cranial and back ridge, which makes it appear more pentagonal in shape. This species is typically stocky and tends to display large irregular orange to red spots on its underside, with colouration running down the length of the underside of the tail.
Natural Range and Habitat
Despite being protected by local legislation and its main distributed range falling within protected areas, this species biggest threat is still the pet trade.
Populations mainly converge in slow flowing stream pools after rain periods in summer. Pools can be approximately 10-50cm deep filled with floating leaves, tree roots, stones and gravel which make it a popular choice as they offer a suitable and protective habitat for newts and pray.
Despite living a largely aquatic life, adults have been observed walking on land specifically during heavy rains in an attempt to possibly avoid flood waves or find new bodies of water.
Behaviour and history in captivity
The species has been breed in captivity numerous times and has proven to be a hardy species. Adults may stay aquatic year round and do not require a hibernation period.
Housing
Paramesotriton hongkongensis do well in richly planted aquatic setups at temperatures between 18-22°c. Moving water is not essential but slight movement and aeration of the water may be preferred.
A 15 gallon aquarium is suitable for an adult pair and although a large quantity of land is not required for adults, at a minimum a floating cork island is recommended.
Males can be territorial and sometimes aggressive, but less so than P.guangxiensis, P.fuzhongensis and P.chinensis. If keeping males together, a larger aquarium is suggested with plenty of cover and hiding places.
Like a lot of species P.hongkongensis can be shy, liking hiding places provided by rocks and plants, with over hanging vegetation imitating their natural habitat. De-clorinated or spring water with a depth of around a depth of 20cm (8in) is ideal, with normal aquarium water quality measures carried out (Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality). Substrate such as gravel and sand can be used, but should also be cleaned regularly too.
Feeding
Adults should be fed every 2-3 days with a mixture of earthworms, slugs, wax worms, maggots and tubifex worms. Small crustaceans, fish fry and insect larvae can also be a option for aquatic feeding.
Juveniles should be fed every 1-2 days with suitably sized food such as bloodworm, tubifex, whie worm, chopped earthworms, dusted pin head crickets.
Breeding
Sexing outside the breeding season can be difficult with both male and female cloaca looking almost identical. It may be possible to identify females by observing whether they are bigger or that their tails are longer than their bodies; however this may not be an effective measure.
During breeding males will display a blue to white stripe along their tails and have an enlarged cloaca. Whereas females will display a more volcano shaped cloaca and may be plumper.
Although a winter cooling period may not be necessary some breeders recommend a winter latency period with temperatures of 8-10°c for a few weeks to encourage breeding.
Reproductive behaviour normally starts with the male gently nudging the female’s body. Next the male will dash in front of the female and start tail fanning. If the female gently starts nudging the male back, the male will immediately turn away from the female, typically with his tail in an S shape. If the female continues to gently nudge the male, the male will walk forward and deposit a spermatophore. If receptive, the female will then walk forward and collect the spermatophore with her cloaca.
Care of Eggs, Larvae, and Juveniles
Eggs are normally laid singularly on plants at numbers that tend to be much lower than regular explosive breeders such as Triturus, Cynops and Mesotritons. However despite this it is possible a female could lay up to 115 eggs.
Eggs are larger than a lot of salamander species, with the egg capsule measuring 4.5-6mm. Larvae hatch between 3-4 weeks at around 10-14mm in length. Both eggs and larvae can be raised much the same as other salamander species, please see Caudata Culture Articles - Raising Newts and Salamanders from Eggs for more detail.
Larvae tend to be apathetic but can move briskly when disturbed. Young can be fed on a mixture of baby brine shrimp, daphnia, white worms, tubifex, bloodworms and gammarus pulex.
Most larvae will reach metamorphosis before the next winter at a length of around 40-44mm. When moving to a terrestrial juvenile stage, young should be kept on medium dry earth substance, covered in dead leaves. Access to water will help to encourage juveniles to re-enter the water as adults when they are ready.
P.hongkongensis normally experience slow growth and may take 3-5 years to reach sexual maturity.
References
IUCN species database: Paramesotriton hongkongensis (Hong Kong Warty Newt)
Jean Raffaëlli account on amphibiaweb:AmphibiaWeb - Paramesotriton hongkongensis
Andrew Tilson-Wilis caresheet on pollywog.co.uk: Hong Kong Warty Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis)
MarkusA herping account: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...-paramesotriton-hongkongensis.html#post204019
Ian Choi herping accounts: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...search-hong-kong-warty-newt-2009-january.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...ibian-cultural-influence-japan-hong-kong.html
Science.naturalis article:science . naturalis - hongkongensis
Various articles from members of caudata.org: Caudata Culture Articles - Sexing
Caudata Culture Articles - Raising Newts and Salamanders from Eggs
Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality
Although I only consider it a start and am continuing working on it, I am posting what I have done so far in hope that keepers of this species could help me extend it. I would appreciate if anyone who has experience with this species could help. Is there any special requirements you give/have given when keeping them? Any differing behaviour in captivity? Basically anything interesting that you think should go into the caresheet.
**NOTE: IF YOU ARE READING THIS LOOKING FOR A CARESHEET FOR THIS SPECIES PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CARESHEET IS INCOMPLETE, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A COMPLETE VERSION PLEASE CHECK: Caudata Culture Species Entry - Paramesotriton hongkongensis
Description
Paramesotriton hongkongensis is a robust, largely aquatic species found near the coastal Guangdong and Hong Kong, Chinese regions. Adults normally reach lengths of 14-16cm and have a smooth olive to dark brown body. Colouration can largely vary from area of origin with some showing a variable vertebral orange ridge.
Sometimes confused with P.chinensis, P.hongkongensis is less warty and has a more pronounced cranial and back ridge, which makes it appear more pentagonal in shape. This species is typically stocky and tends to display large irregular orange to red spots on its underside, with colouration running down the length of the underside of the tail.
Natural Range and Habitat
Despite being protected by local legislation and its main distributed range falling within protected areas, this species biggest threat is still the pet trade.
Populations mainly converge in slow flowing stream pools after rain periods in summer. Pools can be approximately 10-50cm deep filled with floating leaves, tree roots, stones and gravel which make it a popular choice as they offer a suitable and protective habitat for newts and pray.
Despite living a largely aquatic life, adults have been observed walking on land specifically during heavy rains in an attempt to possibly avoid flood waves or find new bodies of water.
Behaviour and history in captivity
The species has been breed in captivity numerous times and has proven to be a hardy species. Adults may stay aquatic year round and do not require a hibernation period.
Housing
Paramesotriton hongkongensis do well in richly planted aquatic setups at temperatures between 18-22°c. Moving water is not essential but slight movement and aeration of the water may be preferred.
A 15 gallon aquarium is suitable for an adult pair and although a large quantity of land is not required for adults, at a minimum a floating cork island is recommended.
Males can be territorial and sometimes aggressive, but less so than P.guangxiensis, P.fuzhongensis and P.chinensis. If keeping males together, a larger aquarium is suggested with plenty of cover and hiding places.
Like a lot of species P.hongkongensis can be shy, liking hiding places provided by rocks and plants, with over hanging vegetation imitating their natural habitat. De-clorinated or spring water with a depth of around a depth of 20cm (8in) is ideal, with normal aquarium water quality measures carried out (Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality). Substrate such as gravel and sand can be used, but should also be cleaned regularly too.
Feeding
Adults should be fed every 2-3 days with a mixture of earthworms, slugs, wax worms, maggots and tubifex worms. Small crustaceans, fish fry and insect larvae can also be a option for aquatic feeding.
Juveniles should be fed every 1-2 days with suitably sized food such as bloodworm, tubifex, whie worm, chopped earthworms, dusted pin head crickets.
Breeding
Sexing outside the breeding season can be difficult with both male and female cloaca looking almost identical. It may be possible to identify females by observing whether they are bigger or that their tails are longer than their bodies; however this may not be an effective measure.
During breeding males will display a blue to white stripe along their tails and have an enlarged cloaca. Whereas females will display a more volcano shaped cloaca and may be plumper.
Although a winter cooling period may not be necessary some breeders recommend a winter latency period with temperatures of 8-10°c for a few weeks to encourage breeding.
Reproductive behaviour normally starts with the male gently nudging the female’s body. Next the male will dash in front of the female and start tail fanning. If the female gently starts nudging the male back, the male will immediately turn away from the female, typically with his tail in an S shape. If the female continues to gently nudge the male, the male will walk forward and deposit a spermatophore. If receptive, the female will then walk forward and collect the spermatophore with her cloaca.
Care of Eggs, Larvae, and Juveniles
Eggs are normally laid singularly on plants at numbers that tend to be much lower than regular explosive breeders such as Triturus, Cynops and Mesotritons. However despite this it is possible a female could lay up to 115 eggs.
Eggs are larger than a lot of salamander species, with the egg capsule measuring 4.5-6mm. Larvae hatch between 3-4 weeks at around 10-14mm in length. Both eggs and larvae can be raised much the same as other salamander species, please see Caudata Culture Articles - Raising Newts and Salamanders from Eggs for more detail.
Larvae tend to be apathetic but can move briskly when disturbed. Young can be fed on a mixture of baby brine shrimp, daphnia, white worms, tubifex, bloodworms and gammarus pulex.
Most larvae will reach metamorphosis before the next winter at a length of around 40-44mm. When moving to a terrestrial juvenile stage, young should be kept on medium dry earth substance, covered in dead leaves. Access to water will help to encourage juveniles to re-enter the water as adults when they are ready.
P.hongkongensis normally experience slow growth and may take 3-5 years to reach sexual maturity.
References
IUCN species database: Paramesotriton hongkongensis (Hong Kong Warty Newt)
Jean Raffaëlli account on amphibiaweb:AmphibiaWeb - Paramesotriton hongkongensis
Andrew Tilson-Wilis caresheet on pollywog.co.uk: Hong Kong Warty Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis)
MarkusA herping account: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...-paramesotriton-hongkongensis.html#post204019
Ian Choi herping accounts: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...search-hong-kong-warty-newt-2009-january.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...ibian-cultural-influence-japan-hong-kong.html
Science.naturalis article:science . naturalis - hongkongensis
Various articles from members of caudata.org: Caudata Culture Articles - Sexing
Caudata Culture Articles - Raising Newts and Salamanders from Eggs
Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality
