Hynobius dunni

[Tim Johnson]

Photos of H. dunni in a shop:







(Message edited by TJ on March 23, 2005)

[Tim Johnson]

My H. dunni egg sacs:






(Message edited by TJ on March 23, 2005)

[Tim Johnson]

[Tim Johnson]

[Tim Johnson]

[Tim Johnson]

[Tim Johnson]

My H. dunni larvae much larger than this H. nebulosus that's just about to morph:





The larvae of both species hatched at the same time, around March 20. While over 25 of the 45-50 nebulosus have morphed, no dunni have yet, nor do they seem likely to any time soon. They're being kept in exactly the same conditions.

(Message edited by TJ on March 23, 2005)

[Tim Johnson]

Well, it has just come to my knowledge that this is nothing out of the ordinary.

According to the information on this species contained in the Japanese-language version of Mr. Kawamura's site (a truncated version in English is located at (http://www.rieo.net/amph/saramand/sansyouo/ooita.htm with some of Henk's pics), H.dunni typically morph at sizes in excess of 6cm, making them somewhat easier to subsequently raise than other Hynobius species.

Adults range from 10-14 cm in size compared with 7-15 cm for H.nebulosus.

Hmmm...might as well translate most of the rest of what is said here. It says they're found in abundance in hilly areas, woods and bamboo thickets at elevations of 50-1,000 meters in Oita Prefecture and in northeastern Kumamoto Prefecture (both located on Kyushu Island, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands). They're also found way down in the vicinity of Miyazaki City in southern Kyushu, though they were perhaps transplanted there unnaturally. Their breeding season extends from early February to early April, and the breeding takes place in small ponds, paddy fields and other bodies of still water in or near their habitat. Their egg sacs are large and long, shaped like coiled rope, and reaching a maximum length of 30cm (or more than double their max size!). Post-morph H.dunni resemble H.nebulosus in many respects but lack the orange (yellow in the case of mine!) tail line of nebulosus. Dunni larvae appear capable of tolerating lower temperatures than nebulosus. They are quite voracious feeders and readily resort to cannibalism when food is unavailable.

Hi evryone.
I am hoping to get some h. dunni in october and although Henk Wallays has been a great help in info (thanks Henk) I was just wondering how everyone keps thirs ((juvies + adults) to see if there is a simpler way than Henk's, as my tank is not as 'far back' as his and I think piling rocks would take up too much room - am I right. My tank is 60cm x 30'back x 45 high (2ft x 1ftx 18inches in the same order). Would this still work for a pair or more?
thanks,
Chris

just checking this thread has a 'new' sign by it so people know someone's posted - it's disappeared on my screen.
Chris

[Tim Johnson]

First morph! (13 weeks after hatching)

[Tim Johnson]

Six months after hatching and they're becoming more speckled as time passes. Quite different than the unrelated adults in the first pics up above, which are green all over.











They're very good eaters and it's very easy to feed them bloodworm by hand.



Froggy, sorry but I don't have any particular suggestions on keeping them. I just keep them in moss (incl. sphagnum, though it has a bad rep here), feed them mostly bloodworm and they've been doing fine -- haven't lost a single post-morph and they're nice and plump! Maybe Henk knows some tricks you'd need to get them to breed, but mine are coasting along fine so far. How're yours doing? Pics please!

(Message edited by TJ on March 23, 2005)

Tim,
I don't have them yet,but I shouyld be getting about 4 in lat October, fingers crossed
Chris

(Message edited by froggy on September 21, 2003)

[Tim Johnson]

[Tim Johnson]

Tim, have you been arounf my terrarium setups without me knowing someway ?? Just today/this morning I have been checking on them and found about 8 males waiting in the water. Some are climbing on the branches, others waiting beneath scavanging for food. But no females yet... if they come I hope the 'games begin'...
The juveniles look quite like the ones you have been posting here ; although I think I have never seen any like the first image you posted : with such little black dots. Mine tend to have large blakc spots. It's also my impression that if they are held quite wed the blue coloration is more prononuced. I also think mione may have a more yellowish tail. My animals come from Beppu Shi, any idea about the locality from yours ?

[Tim Johnson]

No, Henk, no idea where mine came from, though I might be able to find out. All the ones I have are from those two eggs sacs I started out with one year ago. They're a real pleasure to keep!

[Tim Johnson]

Nice pics Tim now i understand why i am starting to love Hynobius so much, especially H.dunni (why did they name them after a Australian toilet?)
Have you got any pics of your set-up to share with us Tim and Henk?

I usually don't comment on non-Taricha (heh), but those are <font color="119911">glamorously green</font> juveniles. Great photos.