Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

overfeeding waterdogs

glenn

New member
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
i had a tiger salamander tadpole sharing a tank with a few small crayfish and 5 minnows. i was feeding him a variety of small water creatures that i netted out of a pond behind our house. all was good, but as the tadpole grew, he started going after the minnows. i thought they were too big and too fast for him, but in 2 days, all 5 were gone, and my tadpole was looking pretty plump. the next day he was dead.

could he just have overeaten? is this something i have to guard against in the future?

thx in advance for the advice...
 

Kaysie

Site Contributor
Joined
Mar 10, 2003
Messages
14,465
Reaction score
110
Location
North Dakota
He very well could have died from eating the fish. Many fish have sharp spines or other 'parts' that are used to deter predators (including tiger sal larvae).
 

glenn

New member
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
interesting. thanks. i'll stick with brine shrimp next time....
 

Jennewt

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
12,451
Reaction score
146
Location
USA
Better yet, stick with earthworms.
 

Daniel

Site Contributor
Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
664
Reaction score
26
Location
Germany
i thought they were too big and too fast for him, but in 2 days, all 5 were gone, and my tadpole was looking pretty plump. the next day he was dead.

could he just have overeaten? is this something i have to guard against in the future?

Well...if you think that each of the minnows was too big - why not remove either minnows or tadpole after the first day you saw that some of them were gone? Could have saved a tadpole and some minnows... :(
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Top