2 of my sals died, 3 left

D

dane

Guest
Ive got some newly morphed blues spotted sals, and 2 have died, Im not sure why but I have seperated the remaining 3 and am cleaning out the cage today

Is there anything else I can do, what could have caused this?

could it have been cool temps in my basement because its been getting cold down there lately

HELP HELP HELP!!

Ive also been wondering how to get rid of mites on salamanders(its not a problem but I want to know just in case in the future)

(Message edited by dane_zu on October 04, 2006)
 
There are parasitic mites, but they are rare - it would be astronomically unlikely that you would get them on captive-raised animals. Soil mites are ubiquitous - the are unavoidable. They typically swarm over any dead (or nearly-dead) animal, but don't bother live ones. You can reduce them by sterilizing your soil (or whatever you use for substrate) before use.

Metamorphosis is stressful for an animal, and there are many possible reasons for morphs to die. To name a few:
-being too small at time of morph
-not eating
-disease
-substrate too wet or too dry
 
thanks, they aren't that new, they morphed about 2 months ago so I guess its just a kind of cross your fingers thing then

how do you sterilize soil??
 
Hello Dane
One way to sterilize the soil is by baking it in the oven.
Please keep us inform on your little morph.
Good luck!
 
I will keep u guys informed, but I still want to know how to take care of mites on amphibians, it has been eating at me for a while
 
I agree, baking soil is the best method. It's also possible to microwave it, but minerals in the soil could damage your microwave, so be cautious with that.

If the morphs lived for 2 months, then I would suspect substrate problems (wet/dry or too acidic), or else lack of eating. Did they get thin before they died, or do you know that they were eating for sure? I would suggest moving the remaining ones to a clean (possibly different) setup, if you haven't already. What kind of substrate are you using?

What kind of mites are you thinking of, Dane? It's a pretty rare problem. I've seen photos of them on some imported aquatic newts (warty newts, I believe) and on the feet of some WC US species.
 
As far as i know the only newts that get mites are
Paramesotriton Deloustali (though not those from Tam Dao) and Paramesotriton Laoensis.

Now you mention Jen i remember seeing some on some of the US species, though they often seem to be under the skin?
 
Dane..i have a problem with mites on one of my t torosa they are a real b*"~#! to get rid of.I have heard that cold temperatures might kill them off so i will be hibernating him to test this theory.As Andy says these are under the skin so pulling them off is not an option..Ian
 
According to the Wright & Whitaker book, there is only one genus of mites that infects amphibians in N. America. They are "chiggers" - the larval form of the mite burrows into the skin of terrestrial amphibs. They can stay in the skin for up to 9 months, but do not reproduce in captive environments. Thus, if they are truly mites, they should clear up on their own within a year. Mites have not been encountered in wild European amphibians.
 
Jennifer - interesting that this infection clears on its own. Chigger mites are of the family Trombiculidae and I have seen various discussions that this infection often has to be corrected surgically in caudates, as it is not amenable to drug therapy.
 
I was using coco fiber stuff that comes in a brick befor, then I ran out and I used some soil from my yard(no fertilizers or pesticides) and I havnt been to the petstore in a while

Im not sure if they were getting skinny, but I remember one was a little on the skinny side, the 3 I have left eat all the time and get chubby

so I guess it was either the soil or not eating, or posibly a combination, what temp, and how long do you bake the soil for in the oven??

(Message edited by dane_zu on October 06, 2006)
 
all is well, they are still eating like beasts, and also they are now eating worms right from my finger
the second one is the biggest and fattest
71784.jpg

71785.jpg

71786.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
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!
    Back
    Top