Are these Necturus babies?

[Waterdawgnate]

My friend in Kentucky found these clumps of eggs in pond, and now that they hatched he thinks they are necturus. Are they?

 

[otolith]

They look like Ambystoma larvae, not sure of species. Necturus larvae have smaller, narrower heads and the bodies are more elongated.

 

[onetwentysix]

Definitely Ambystoma. Necturus don't really live in ponds, they're usually in rivers, streams, and larger lakes. The eggs would be under rocks in a big cluster of individual eggs, usually guarded by the mother.

 

[ekocak]

Also agree they're ambystomatids. Head is way too broad for Necturus. I have some baby Necturus cf beyeri right now I'm rearing. Might be able to take a pic so you can see comparison.

 

[ekocak]

Sorry I forgot to post those pics. Here:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/members/ekocak-albums-necturus-cf-beyeri.html

You can see how different the Necturus look from ambystomatids. Narrower heads, longer, skinnier bodies, paddle-shaped tail.