Tiger Salamander Question

[Siteofthor]

I just recently bought a Tiger Salamander. It appears to be a Juvenile and is only 4 or 5 inches long and small. I try to sex it but I'm guessing it has not matured enough for me to do so. I hear that it could take 6 months to a year after leaving water for them to mature and even then you are only able to tell during mating season? My Salamander does not have a bulge near the tail, but again is so young. I want to go ahead and get him/her a mate right now while one is available that is his/her size. But I don't know what sex it is and what sex the one I'm buying is. My worry is I hear that if you get 2 males together it could cause issues, however if they are the same size, well fed and don't hunt for food and have plenty of room in my 20 gallon long and hide then they will be okay? I've been trying to do some research on this. Please let me know if I am on the righ track?

Also I was wondering about substrate, right now I have about 2 inches of Eco Earth and another inch to an inch and a half of moss-sphageti or whatever its called. He is just sitting on top of the moss and not burrowing, should I just stick with eco earth and go 4 to 5 inches so he burrow or what do you guys think? And if I have that much eco earth does he really need a hide?

Thanks! Jon

 

[Kaysie]

Tigers don't readily breed in captivity. Only a small handful of people have bred them world-wide.

Two males won't fight. They're not especially territorial.

They're more burrowers than hiders. Get some organic topsoil and mix it with your eco-earth. I keep mine around 6 inches deep. Sphagnum moss isn't appropriate for most salamanders.

Here's an article on keeping tigers.

 

[Siteofthor]

Awesome thank you! Where can I buy organic topsoil? Do I need to wet or mist the mix or just keep a water bowl? How often do I change it out or clean it out? Can I put 3 tigers together in a 20 gallon long or should i just stick with the two? I will go ahead and def look at the article. Thanks! Jon

 

[Siteofthor]

I have actually already read that article now that I look at it again, I have been seeing a lot of conflicting info out there, for example it recommends hides, you say they are not necessary. Many guides say no to two males but some say its okay, etc.. I def am happy and want to talk to people who actually have them rather than continue to read various guides that contradict one another. If you have time and can answer my additional questions you have already been sooo helpful, thank you! Jon

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I've found hides aren't necessary but if available, mine tend to use them just as often as burrowing. The only upside with hides is you're likely to see them more often but that's not always the case. As Kaysie said, they're hardly a territorial species so keeping 2 males together shouldn't be a problem. I have 2 females previously housed with 6 males! If 6 males can live in harmony, 2 certainly can. It helps to moisten the substrate but it shouldn't be drenched. A slightly moist, crumbly consistency is perfect. If the substrate is checked and misted when it seems to be drying out a water dish isn't necessary but optional. The water shouldn't be very deep.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Awesome thank you! Where can I buy organic topsoil? Do I need to wet or mist the mix or just keep a water bowl? How often do I change it out or clean it out? Can I put 3 tigers together in a 20 gallon long or should i just stick with the two? I will go ahead and def look at the article. Thanks! Jon

Lowe's, Home Depot, even most Wal-marts carry it.

 

[Siteofthor]

Thank you guys for the additional info! Yes I may get a spray bottle of water to spray it in the morning if its dry.

1.) So most of you do mix your Eco Earth with Top soil then?

2.) Dinky or does anyone know, could 3 tiger salamanders be okay in a 20 gallon long tank?

3.) How often do I need to change out my dirt? Once a month or once every 3 months? I change water daily for every few days in the bowl.

. Thanks again! Jon

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I use coco fiber alone as I've been unable to find top soil without any peat or fertilizers in it, this works fine. You'll have to excuse me as I'm not great with measurements but I think 20 gal is roughly around 90 liters. I keep 2 in a 180 liter tank. The key to their enclosures is ground space, I think 3 in a 20 gal might be a little crowded, taking into consideration they can get quite large. Mine are just about a foot in length each. As for cleaning, mine get weekly spot checks (clean out any missed uneaten food, soiled substrate, etc) and a full clean out monthly, through choice.

 

[Siteofthor]

Awesome Neeka thanks! Last question do you mist your Eco or how do you keep it wet and how often? Thanks Jon

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

My fiber comes in solid blocks which you add water to. Once it's absorbed the water it becomes a crumbly consistency like soil. Once in the tank it usually stays moist with only the top surface needing misting. I also give it a mix with my hands when its in the tank to keep it from clumping and it also helps stop the top from drying out.

 

[TylototritonGuy]

Thank you guys for the additional info! Yes I may get a spray bottle of water to spray it in the morning if its dry.

1.) So most of you do mix your Eco Earth with Top soil then?

2.) Dinky or does anyone know, could 3 tiger salamanders be okay in a 20 gallon long tank?

3.) How often do I need to change out my dirt? Once a month or once every 3 months? I change water daily for every few days in the bowl.

Thanks again! Jon

I am the same as Dinky here, nothing wrong with using Coco-fibre. I use Exo Terra Plantation Soil, which comes in compacted brick form, for all of my amphibians and find it perfect and does the job perfectly especially in all my planted tanks as it seems very fertile. You can find these Bricks at any Exotic Pet Shop or you can go onto eBay and they sell the multi-packs of Exo Terra Substrate.

I am not overly sure on the dimensions of a 20 gallon tank as I use Feet and Inches. A few care sheets online state similar things as this "A 15-20 Gallon tank should be adequate for 2 adult salamanders" so I think its safe to say, no it might not be suitable. What are the actual dimensions of the tank? (Length x Height x Depth).I would say that 3ft Long x 1.5ft High x 2ft Deep would be perfectly fine for a trio of Tiger Salamanders, however it depends if you have the Barred or Eastern species.

I would do a spot clean like Dinky said every week and a monthly change. Change the decor around a bit aswell as they tend to like a bit of a change rather than the same thing, however they are a Fossorial Species so remember to keep the substrate quite deep to allow them to burrow etc.

Like Kaysie also said, its not advisable to use Sphagnum Moss as it can be acidic and cause problems with many Caudata species. If you can get live moss that would be better to use, I am sure you would be able to buy it at any Exotic Pet Suppliers or perhaps an amphibian/animal friendly plant stockist.

I just dampen the soil and enclosure, nothing major as you dont want to saturate the substrate. A light spray from a spray bottle daily is really all thats needed as it just needs to remain damp and like I said not water logged or just way too wet.

It does depend on which species of Tiger Salamander you have though when it comes down to the size of the enclosure.

 

[Kaysie]

3 small tigers will do fine in a 20 long. My biggest eastern tops out at like 8 inches, and I've kept 2 males and a female together for years with no concern. Probably helps that she's the biggest and one male is most likely blind.

The brand of soil I use is called Earth-Gro. It's in a white bag with a red stripe. They make a couple of different types, so make sure you get the top soil and not the potting soil.

I recommend the mix because it holds moisture and structure (burrows) much better than either dirt or coco fiber alone. Dirt tends to get compacted, and coco fiber can dry out quickly, but together, with a little leaf cover, they make a great substrate. Change it every couple of months.

I don't bother with a sprayer, I just dump water into one side of the tank. You'll still want a water dish. Mine soak every so often. Definitely get a couple of hides, but they don't have to be elaborate. I use terra cotta pots and PVC pipe. But more often than not, they're burrowed under the water dish or the pot somewhere.

 

[Jan]

Agree with Kaysie, 3 small tigers would be fine in a 20 gallon long - I wouldn't use a regular 20 gallon tank as it has a shorter length, decreasing surface area. My largest tiger tops out at 13 inches - I wouldn't keep more than 2 at these lengths in a 20 gallon long. Agree that a water dish is good and where mine tend to hide under. When not there, they can be found in their hides with their heads sticking out. A good depth (at least inches) of substrate is beneficial. I spot clean every few days and change substrate every 6-8 weeks.