Necturus setup

[sean]

The message below I originaly posted in the Vivaria gallery which probably wasnt the best place for it so I am posting here also because I would like more responses from people with experience with large aquatics. Sorry if this is against the rules.


Here is my recently completed setup for Necturus Maculosus. Although now I am unsure of the legality of me keeping one. Now I am considering a Greater Siren,Amphiuma, or maybe even Axolotls. I have never kept any of these so I dont know what my best bet would be. BTW this setup is a 55gal with 2 30-60 filters and live plants. I made a cave structure out of the large rocks and all of the gravel bed is rocks collected from a mountain stream in Tennessee.I have had this tank setup for about 2 weeks and I gaze at it at least once everyday even though nothing lives in it. It reminds me of the mountain streams that I love so much. The only further plans I have for it is more plants.Anybody have opinions on what would be the best species to live in the tank? Also, Anybody know a source for Sirens?

 

[russ]

What state are you in?

 

[sean]

I am in Georgia where the Mudpuppy is listed as Rare. I believe that is only because its range barely extends into North Georgia. And, this website does not list it as a species that cannot be kept as a pet.
http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=6&txtPage=2

 

[russ]

I've pondered that page myself. The list does not match the "protected" list from their site below. I'd like to see the actual code or regulation, not a paraphrasing of it (since I'm living in GA now). I'm going to contact DNR and see what I can get for an exact reference. I'll post whatever I can get from them.

Note that there is another species not annotated on any list.

http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=89&txtPage=3

 

[russ]

I received some info from John Jensen of the Georgia DNR Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program. The following rules apply; 27-1-28, 391-4-10, 27-1-30 and 27-4-91. Now under 27-1-28 (see link) it refers to spring lizards. If I remember correctly this is a colloquial term for salamanders/newts/caudates here in the south. So you could collect any of the Necturus species for your set-up.

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=27-2-28

 

[sean]

Thanks Russ!Thats great news. Now I just have to find a source and get some issues with my tank worked out. Planning on getting any Necturus yourself?

 

[russ]

I'd love to but my herp room is getting full!