Naturalistic breeding aquarium: New project?

[Wild TONY appeared!]

I am not sure whether or not I'd want to do this, but I have a few very large tanks around which might suit the needs for this project. However, I will be able to make a creek-like outdoor enclosure around February, so the tank may be temporary anyway. I live in an area that has many of them, so I will be able to replicate their natural habitat quite well keeping them outdoors.

The reason I'm posting this is because I would like to know whether or not there are any specific environmental factors I should incorporate? (Other than the obvious, of course. Maybe heavy rains, low light levels, extremely high amounts of foliage, specific foliage, things that might trigger them to reproduce.) I'm just trying to collect as much knowledge as possible before jumping into anything. Also, if you think this is a generally bad idea or a morally corrupt idea, speak up. I'm not trying to create a volatile thread, but if you have a strong opinion, I want to hear it for the sake of collecting an unbiased base of knowledge on which to base my attempt.

~Anthony

 

[Argus654]

I'd see no problem with you doing the outdoor thing with a creek/pond or what ever your design is. I'd like to see if they can be attracted to backyard or garden ponds or creeks so that I can try to do something along those lines when I finnally move out on my own if their's space enough for something like that. If you do it post pics

Good luck.

 

[Wild TONY appeared!]

I'll post lots of pictures if I do this, but I can't promise they'll be good. I might be collecting some D.Tenebrosus soon, but the pond/creek will have to wait until I move, most likely in February.

I was also wanting to know if I should be trying to find a substitute caudate to incorporate into their diet? (Substitute for Rhyacotriton, as I would never take one from the wild, especially as a feeder.) I was thinking extra axolotl larvae?

~Anthony

 

[otolith]

I would avoid feeding non native species if there is any chance of your captive D. tenebrosus escaping into the wild. Axolotls (and any other captive species) would be potential carriers of pathogens that could then enter the wild population. Feeding them worms and small crustaceans would be a fine staple diet. If you keep them in a tank and there is no chance for escape then larval axolotls would probably be fine but the chance for introducing pathogens is still there.

 

[Wild TONY appeared!]

There would be no way for them to escape from their enclosure, and I would not be intending to release them again after they are used to being able to so easily acquire prey. However, I do like the idea of using a native species, because my roommate wants to start a breeding project with something he catches himself, but he doesn't know what yet. Would you happen to know of any he could use? Thank you for the input.

~Anthony