Question: Reaver is Morphing and I have some questions!

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 19, 2012

So I got a salamander larvae thinking he was an Axoltol. Well, I named him Reaver and he is morphing. At first, he gained his tail spots and now he is losing his tail fin! I am posting some pictures, sorry about the messy tank.

I have questions about setting up his future land home. I read 4 inches of Coconut Fiber and Organic Top Soil is ideal, but do I need any bark? What type of moss does he need, I read sphagnum moss for Tigers? I am thinking a piece of Cork Bark for a hide.

P.S. Will Moist paper towels work for right now, if he completely changes before my father gets paid?

Mmmmmm.....Red Worms!

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 20, 2012

He is starting to lose his gills. Excuse the nasty water, I turned off the pump.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 20, 2012

Well, I completely cleaned his tank and made a land area with rocks, mopani wood, and some soft cloth plants on their sides. He is on one of the plants with his nose out of the water.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 21, 2012

So no one can answer my questions?

Well his gills are almost completely gone. I just noticed he has an extra toe on one of his back feet.

Jennewt · Jan 21, 2012

Any kind of bark (or other material) is good as a hide. Avoid using sphagnum moss, it is very acidic.

Yes, moist paper towels will work temporarily. Be sure to change them every day or two, and provide something as a hide.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 22, 2012

Jennewt said:
Any kind of bark (or other material) is good as a hide. Avoid using sphagnum moss, it is very acidic.

Yes, moist paper towels will work temporarily. Be sure to change them every day or two, and provide something as a hide.

What type of moss is recommended?
Sorry, if I didn't make myself clear. I was asking what type of bark substrate wise?

Kaysie · Jan 22, 2012

I would use a mix of topsoil and coco fiber for a substrate. It retains moisture well, and holds burrow structure.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 22, 2012

Kaysie said:
I would use a mix of topsoil and coco fiber for a substrate. It retains moisture well, and holds burrow structure.

I put that in my original post. So just the topsoil and coco fiber is fine? Thank you!

Kaysie · Jan 23, 2012

I have a half-log in mine, but they usually burrow under the water dish. You could use coco bark slabs, but they like to burrow.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 25, 2012

His gills are completely gone and he getting his pattern and color. I move him to a land tank with a large bowl of water.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 26, 2012

Is it normal for them to not eat much when they are morphing?

Kaysie · Jan 26, 2012

Completely. Keep trying though. He should get his appetite back soon.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 26, 2012

Okay. Well he isn't staying in the water bowl anymore. He is hiding under the fake silk plants I have in his cage right now.

Kaysie · Jan 27, 2012

He may not have figured out the burrowing thing yet. Just give him lots of cover. The more secure he feels, the sooner he'll start eating.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 27, 2012

Kaysie said:
He may not have figured out the burrowing thing yet. Just give him lots of cover. The more secure he feels, the sooner he'll start eating.

I don't have any dirt yet. Getting some at the end of the month. He has lots and lots of cover.

Kaysie · Jan 27, 2012

That's good. Just keep trying. Morphing is a traumatic change! As if puberty isn't bad enough, imagine if you had to change your whole body? He should start to eat soon.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 27, 2012

Kaysie said:
That's good. Just keep trying. Morphing is a traumatic change! As if puberty isn't bad enough, imagine if you had to change your whole body? He should start to eat soon.

I keeping offering worms and crickets. I will try his pellets. He loves his cage. He has explored all over.

CheeseyDean · Jan 28, 2012

He's not going to eat the pellets. Salamanders will generally only eat live food.

TheJadeAxolotl · Jan 28, 2012

CheeseyDean said:
He's not going to eat the pellets. Salamanders will generally only eat live food.

As a Larvae he took pellets, regularly. It won't hurt to try.

Kaysie · Jan 28, 2012

Pellets usually aren't as accepted by terrestrial animals. You should soak them a little first to make them softer.

Question: Reaver is Morphing and I have some questions!

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