N. strauchii - breeding again

[jennifer]

This is the 3rd year that this trio (1:2) has bred for me.

I keep them in the garage during the winter, in water, at 9-10C. As the temperature begins to hit 13-14C in February, they start to lay eggs. In the 3 years I've bred them, they began laying eggs on Feb 16 (2005), Feb 16 (2006) and Feb 27 (2007).

I caught this female "in the act". She is lying on her back between the rocks. You can see a newly-deposited egg just behind her tail.

Evidently I disturbed her - in the second photo she is moving away to take a breath of air, not having deposited the 2nd egg that she was working on.

(Message edited by jennewt on March 15, 2007)

 

[dawn]

How exciting! How old were they when they started breeding?

 

[jennifer]

This trio was 2 years old at their first breeding. However, I currently have a group of 2-year-old offspring that have been in the garage this winter, but don't seem ready to breed this year. Maybe next year.

 

[paul]

Thanks for including the photos. What size tank are they in? Paul

 

[pin-pin]

You have the magic touch, and the magic temperatures, Jen. Congratulations!

I wonder if New Mexico simulates the conditions of the middle east.

 

[abrahm]

Congratulations! More newt babies! I'm always amazed that your house in New Mexico can keep so many newts cool and healthy.

It makes me wonder how deep your basement is!

I'd love to get some of these guys and show the success you do. I'll just have to wait until I can get my own basement. Someday there will be a house an it will have a basement!

 

[cameron]

Awesome!

I think these newts are fabulous. I hope I could have a pair when I get older.

 

[jennifer]

Hi Paul, the trio is in a 15-gallon tank, and I have the other group of 5 in a 29-gallon tank. In 2005 the trio was "garaged" in a 10-gallon tank, and that was sufficient.

Hi Abrahm, although I live in NM, I am at high altitude where it's not really very hot. We had snow on the ground for about half of this winter, for example.

 

[joseph]

Great job Jenn! That egg laying method is really interesting.

 

[steve]

Hi,

I'm getting 4 of the beauties. I was wondering what kind of water do you use. I read that this species needs different water conditions than other newts.

Steve

 

[jennifer]

I use dechlorinated tap water. My local water comes from ground water, so it is slightly hard and alkaline (~pH 8). I believe that tap water should be OK for them in most cases, but if your aquarium water ends up being below pH 7.0, I would add a small amount of calcium carbonate (limestone, calci-sand, bird grit, or crushed shells) to the tank.

 

[steve]

Thanks Jennifer. I'm going with the crushed coral. I will have to measure the ph of this water.

 

[ryan]

They look great.

 

[charles]

Good luck with the egg's Jennifer if you plan to keep some!

 

[jennifer]

The egg laying is not going as well as last year. We had a week of warm temperature here - their water got up to 18C for a couple of days. This has completely stopped egg-laying. The egg deposited in the photo above have been one of the last, unless they start again. The females are still plump, but this species depends critically on having the right temperature. I'm bummed.

 

[ravenous]

Now these newts are awesome. Hopefully theyre not done yet and will give you some eggs. Good luck!