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P. caudopunctatus breeding - it only took 10 years

Jennewt

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In 2006, I obtained a small number of eggs from someone else's captive Paramesotriton caudopunctatus. In the old days, this species was sold occasionally in pet shops, but was already rare in the US by 2006. Those adult animals no longer exist, and I don't know of any others in the US.

This has to be the slowest-growing species I have ever raised. They spent several years in their terrestrial phase, and still needed several more years of aquatic growth. For several years, I kept the male separated from the females because he was larger and the females weren't doing well in the same tank with him. My group of 1:2 finally reached breeding size and were all living together in 2015, but didn't breed until this year.

Sorry about the terrible photos. They are in a big old tank with hazy glass, and my camera refused to focus on them.
 

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Chinadog

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Congratulations! :) I always think Paramesotriton have the best looking larvae of all!

It sure is sad to think how many of the Chinese exports have died either en route or shortly after, in fact it strikes me that species like these are a not only a good example of why import restrictions are needed, but also why inter-state bans are detrimental. The few knowledgeable people that bought the sorry looking 'dog faced newts' or 'godzilla newts' from petstores with a view to establishing a breeding colony now won't bother because the market for the offspring is now restricted to their particular state.
 

sinomoyyhi89

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Congratulations jennewt! A remarkable achievement. It's a shame this genus isn't more commonly bred. Keep up the good work!
 

Henry Janssen

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My congratulations for succesfull raising these to adulthood Jennifer. I can confirm your observation that Paramesotriton caudopunctatus take this long to mature. There are not many of them left in captivity nowadays in the U.S. nor in Europ, so it's great news that your F1 group is now breeding.
 

cichlidjedi

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Awesome Jennewt!!! Of course Paramesotriton the best species group ever! You crush! Congrats! Well a decade later and I guess you would say it was worth it? Maybe you can develop a newt growth hormone!!! :)
 

slowfoot

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I'm not Jen, but she sent me some eggs :eek:

I have 3 of the original 6 that hatched and grew. Deaths were mostly my fault for not having an extremely secure lid. Two are now terrestrial and one has stayed aquatic. They seem to be growing, but their survival seems precarious to me: I never see them eat, or see them at all, actually. I've run out of the small garden worms they must have been eating, and I'm hoping they'll make the switch to chopped earthworms... Hoping for the best.

I've attached a pic of the two terrestrial morphs. Their colors are slightly duller than the aquatic morph, otherwise they look the same.
 

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Blackbun

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Well jennewt I think you deserve some kind of award recognising not only this achievement but for your dedication and perserverence. Ten years is a long time to stick with a species. I've seen so many ads created by people selling stock on after keeping the animals for six months or even less. Well done.
 

velasco13000

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Does anybody still keep any of these guys? I would be interested in purchasing some. I am raising many different types of paramesotritons and have found great success.
 

sinomoyyhi89

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I was fortunate enough to acquire some of Jennewts offspring from this breeding. I’ve had them about 3 years now. One went aquatic this summer but the other is still land locked for now.
 

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