Pseudotriton ruber breeding success!

[Aneides]

Incredible! I have been waiting along time to see another captive breeding of these. Tim, thanks for the tips about these guys. I was (and still might be) interested in them, but I then heard about their ideal temp range, which would be hard to contantly maintain. It is just inspiring seeing how many plethodontids are being captive bred. I mean, look ten years back, extremely few people had even kept any plethodontids. Look how far we have come now, captive breeding of these wonderful animals. Unbelievable.

Aneides

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

When I have time I'll look trough the tank carefully. I'd like to have a good size group of F2's.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Noticed that underneath this rock had been cleared out. Sand was pushed out and I saw a tail slowly waving about. Then I saw the egg and freaked.

 

[velasco13000]

im happy for you how hard is it to breed them??

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

There's a nest full of them now. Female guarding it well.

 

[taherman]

Congrats again! Tis the season. They laid early at the zoo this year too...no idea why. Other oviposition events were in late Nov and Dec, this year late Oct.

I'd strongly suggest separating a few from the female into deli cups. Aquatic species do not seem to be so dependent on maternal bacteria for egg defense, so separating them may go a long way to getting your desired larvae this year.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Congrats again! Tis the season. They laid early at the zoo this year too...no idea why. Other oviposition events were in late Nov and Dec, this year late Oct.

I'd strongly suggest separating a few from the female into deli cups. Aquatic species do not seem to be so dependent on maternal bacteria for egg defense, so separating them may go a long way to getting your desired larvae this year.

Gotcha I'll separate a few. But I'd hate to disturb the nest fearing she will flee and won't return to the nest. I may try to use forceps to grab a few and harvest them.

 

[velasco13000]

question...were yours captive breed or wild caught? I saw some for sale online a while ago but im sure they were WC..just curious as to how difficult it was to keep them

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

question...were yours captive breed or wild caught? I saw some for sale online a while ago but im sure they were WC..just curious as to how difficult it was to keep them

Mine are a WC group that I've had for years now. Actually I may have had these guys for 2 years before they bred. Housing isn't difficult but breeding I would say is difficult. Setup and cycling plays a big part in getting them into the breeding mood.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Ok got some better photos to share.

 

[velasco13000]

I see that the mother guards them...when the eggs hatch will she eat the larvae??

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

I see that the mother guards them...when the eggs hatch will she eat the larvae??

Paternal canibalism does happen. It happens in captivity and in the wild. The reason why some females eat their eggs or offspring is because during the time they guard their nest they aren't concerned with eating. So during the whole time a mother watches and tail fans her eggs (for air circulation) she will not eat.

So previous to breeding if a mother hasn't eaten well she may eat her eggs or young. I feed my salamanders often so I doubt she will eat her eggs

 

[sde]

WOW! great photos and congrats!!! I hope they turn out good. Keep us posted on the development. -Seth

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Turns out the female ate her own nest maybe due to the fact that another ruber was crawling around her nest. The good news is I did get a video of her gaurding her nest.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dgVKX8BZydg

 

[Ted]

Instead of starting a new thread I'll just add this topic here since its so similar. My Pseudotriton ruber nitidus is laying her batch of eggs as well. She's a familiar face on Caudata. She actually started laying yesterday and I spent most of last night watching her. Took some photos and a short video. Please check it out.

Its hard to distinguish her apart from a P. ruber and to identify her as a Pseudotriton r. nitidus. The video and pics do no justice for identification. Her eggs don't hang from the rocks they stick to it. P. ruber eggs hang from a from the ceiling of the rocks in little sacs and move around with water motion. P. r. nitidus eggs just stick to where ever they are laid.


YouTube - Pseudotriton ruber nitidus/Red Salamander fanning eggs

I find this just incredible,,this is one of my most favorite animals..I'm glad to see I'm on the right track as my setups and feeding are pretty much just like yours ..I have some rocks in them but use just a bare glass bottom..

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

I find this just incredible,,this is one of my most favorite animals..I'm glad to see I'm on the right track as my setups and feeding are pretty much just like yours ..I have some rocks in them but use just a bare glass bottom..

I hope people can breed P. ruber and raise some up constantly. If you really want to try to breed them make sure you cool them in winter. I mean seriously my female laid when the temps were about 38f-45f, this could vary depending on the locale of your P. ruber. Another thing is try not to disturb the nest or let any other tank mate disturb the nest. Best to remove other tank mates not gaurding eggs.

Good luck

 

[TristanClark]

still hoping my pair will do something, havent seen any courtship since november. If they end up breeding though I'll have to seperate the spring salamanders and seperate the stud male ruber to lol. the way my tank is i'd have to take everything out just to check for eggs.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

still hoping my pair will do something, havent seen any courtship since november. If they end up breeding though I'll have to seperate the spring salamanders and seperate the stud male ruber to lol. the way my tank is i'd have to take everything out just to check for eggs.

Best to redo it now before they will court agian. I had a crazy set up last year that's why I didn't even know they've been breeding till I saw babies. Obviously I changed their setup and made it so I can atleast see nests if females lay.

 

[Dendro Dave]

I'm easier to find on dendroboard, (same name) but if anyone having success is eventually ready to let some of these go PM me here, or DB, or DmarksVR@yahoo.com. I can meet their needs have experience with several newt/sally species, (and frogs of course)

Great work guys!:happy:

 

[velasco13000]

I'm getting a big group of ltc adults. Any suggestions or tips on keeping these guys?