Hi everyone,
Our red eft is morphing into adult form.... here is it's story, and there is a question at the end.
We obtained a red eft while travelling through South Carolina in 2008 from a guy at a bait/tackle shop where it was on display in a mason jar on the counter. He told us we could have it because after it rained he could easy find a replacement. So we adopted it and brought it back to Texas where its been living in a 10 gallon terrestrial terrarium for the past four years.
Last month we noticed it is morphing into it's aquatic adult stage. It's been spending most of the time in the shallow water dish. The color change is apparent and the tail is becoming thicker, more fin-like. Although the transformation is interesting and a natural part of it's life cycle.... it is sad news because we really have enjoyed the nice vibrant orange coloration... it feels like we are loosing our pet.
A 10 gallon aquarium with an undergravel filter was setup two weeks ago. The water was circulated overnight to allow the water temperature match the room air and the water treated to remove chlorine and heavy metals. When the eft was placed in the aquarium it went into a panic and was vigorously trying to get out of the water. Obviously its not ready yet.
It has been moved back into the terrarium and is staying hidden under a large magnolia leaf. It is completely avoiding the water dish, which is unusual because before it would spend most of the day there. It has not eaten any earthworm pieces or wingless fruit flies since the aquarium incident. It has been ten days now and it does not appear to be changing anymore, its the same color and shape it was the day it went into the aquarium.
Does anyone have any experience with how long the transformation will take? or is it possible the transformation stopped or slowed down?
Our red eft is morphing into adult form.... here is it's story, and there is a question at the end.
We obtained a red eft while travelling through South Carolina in 2008 from a guy at a bait/tackle shop where it was on display in a mason jar on the counter. He told us we could have it because after it rained he could easy find a replacement. So we adopted it and brought it back to Texas where its been living in a 10 gallon terrestrial terrarium for the past four years.
Last month we noticed it is morphing into it's aquatic adult stage. It's been spending most of the time in the shallow water dish. The color change is apparent and the tail is becoming thicker, more fin-like. Although the transformation is interesting and a natural part of it's life cycle.... it is sad news because we really have enjoyed the nice vibrant orange coloration... it feels like we are loosing our pet.
A 10 gallon aquarium with an undergravel filter was setup two weeks ago. The water was circulated overnight to allow the water temperature match the room air and the water treated to remove chlorine and heavy metals. When the eft was placed in the aquarium it went into a panic and was vigorously trying to get out of the water. Obviously its not ready yet.
It has been moved back into the terrarium and is staying hidden under a large magnolia leaf. It is completely avoiding the water dish, which is unusual because before it would spend most of the day there. It has not eaten any earthworm pieces or wingless fruit flies since the aquarium incident. It has been ten days now and it does not appear to be changing anymore, its the same color and shape it was the day it went into the aquarium.
Does anyone have any experience with how long the transformation will take? or is it possible the transformation stopped or slowed down?