Question: Advice on raising larva?

[Lilibugz]

So I’ve had my ribbed newts nearly 2 years now and in the last year they’ve laid eggs a few times and I usually keep some and donated or sold the rest. I try to keep 20-30 at a time because I’m still learning.

Lots of trial and error, unfortunately I’ve lost quite a few larva but I’ve improved! I currently have a few who are starting to lose gills!

That being said I’ve noticed my babies grow a lot slower than average. Additionally I sometimes find larva in the adults tank and remove them and realize the are MUCH larger than the larva I have in tubs. I’m sure there’s a lot of factors contributing to that but it’s still frustrating.

I usually do the tubbing method with 100% water changes daily, and feeding brine shrimp 1-2x a day but I’m considering cycling another tank just to raise larva and see how that goes.

I think having a supply of black worms may help but I live in Tx and can’t find them anywhere but eastern aquatics which would be 70$ just for shipping… if yall think I should just bite the bullet and buy them anyway I will though! Just wanna hear yall thoughts!

Any tips or advice?

 

[minorhero]

Definitely just keep them in a cycled tank. They are likely growing slower due to access to less food. Getting them off brine shrimp should be a priority. Brine shrimp is really on good when they are too small to eat anything else. Pellets and frozen are easy options when blackworms are not available. Consistent and easy access to food and freshwater (once a week large water changes) is all you need. Good luck!