Spotted C. pyrrhogaster

[matthew]

Hi all!
Here are some picks of my Cynops pyrrogasters. I posted a few months ago, but Tim requested more photos of the spotted one. Since I returned from college last week, I have noticed that my males are developing what looks like breeding colors on their tails and on the sides of their heads. One is actually getting a little bluish. I did use the flash this time. These photos are true to the actual colors.

First, here is a pick of my most spotted male. I have kept him just over four and a half years.

I've kept this male for 7 years. He is the one with the most noticible color changes. It is just turning a little bit blue-grey. He also has spots that are getting darker.

Two more pics:

 

[matthew]

Here is a link to my previous thread:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/13/2261.html?1042711919

 

[ralf]

Hi Matthew,
very nice pictures. I especially like the spotted male. The blue on the tail is quite obvious and a sign of breeding condition. I am not sure about the "race" of the male, the female appearing in the photos could be a Sasayama, though. Do you breed them?

Ralf

 

[aaron]

Nice pics, matt. Welcome back.

~Aaron

 

[matthew]

Hi Ralf and Aaron. No, I have not yet bred my newts. I am hoping that they will breed though. I managed to cool the tank about 6 degrees (F) when I got home. I put some wooden blocks under the tank light to raise it a few inches over the lid. I had always just let the light rest on the lid, but I read that reducing the temperature to the 60s helps induce breeding and is actually better for the newts. Sure enough, in a matter of just two weeks, my males started getting their breeding colors.
~ Matt