Question: Reaver is Morphing and I have some questions!

TheJadeAxolotl

TheJadeAxolotl

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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!
 

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

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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

What type of moss is recommended?
Sorry, if I didn't make myself clear. I was asking what type of bark substrate wise?
 
I would use a mix of topsoil and coco fiber for a substrate. It retains moisture well, and holds burrow structure.
 
Kaysie said:
I would use a mix of topsoil and coco fiber for a substrate. It retains moisture well, and holds burrow structure.
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I put that in my original post. So just the topsoil and coco fiber is fine? Thank you!
 
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.
 
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.
 
Completely. Keep trying though. He should get his appetite back soon.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
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I don't have any dirt yet. Getting some at the end of the month. He has lots and lots of cover.
 
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.
 
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.
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I keeping offering worms and crickets. I will try his pellets. He loves his cage. He has explored all over.
 
He's not going to eat the pellets. Salamanders will generally only eat live food.
 
Pellets usually aren't as accepted by terrestrial animals. You should soak them a little first to make them softer.
 
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