Question: Any ideas

[ladyleslie2013]

I have a tiger salamander larvae. Im trying to get some opinions on whether or not he is morphing. He is about 6 inches long or so. He has adult coloration on his tail and belly. its now moving up his sides. I have also noticed in the water when cleaning, pieces of skin ( i think). I think he is shedding. He looks fine but started refusing all types of food yesterday. He still has very large feathery gills. He is not swimming like he usually does he just sits on the bottom hiding and walks around the bottom some. he has really never done this. he has always been a big swimmer. i have not seen him come to the top of the water much at all. he used to do this alot looking for me to feed him. he does have worms, i gave him some pellets that were supposed to help treat this. he hates it.


do you think something is wrong with him or is he just starting to morph, im so worried about him. If he is morphing when do the gills usually shrink and how fast does all this happen.
0d4d0954-78b5-4159-a66c-6b1738a894b6
1.03.01

 

[Kaysie]

He's of the right size to be morphing.

He'll probably get a lot of adult coloration first. Watch for signs of gill shrinkage. Once the gills start to shrink, provide a suitable land area. That means not just a gravel patch. Think a nice island with a good hide on it.

Slowly start dropping the water level, but still provide a nice water area, as well as a nice land area. Once he starts spending most of his time on land, and the gill nubs are gone, then you can move him to a terrestrial set up.

 

[ladyleslie2013]

how long can they go without eating?
0d4d0954-78b5-4159-a66c-6b1738a894b6
1.03.01

 

[ladyleslie2013]

Re: Any ideas, more questions

how long did it take for your tiger to morph?

Is it normal form him to just sit at the bottom and not really move much during this time.

how long can they go with out eating, He is refusing all food.

he also seems very jumpy and light seems to bother him now too. he was very calm and used to me, never seemed bothered by light before either.