Neurergus Kaiseri Maturity

[Linus]

I believe the earliest I've heard of Kaiseri reaching maturity resulting in successful breeding was 23 months of age. 3 of my Kaiseri are currently about 12 months old, the other may be 8-10 months old but I can't really confirm that. Has anyone had them reach maturity earlier than this? I was hoping to breed them this upcoming spring but it looks like I'll be waiting a bit longer. I may be able to create a cooling period by moving to the basement or possibly fridging, but 23-24 months would put us dead smack in july and It would be pretty hot and difficult to control a subtle increase in temp to stimulate breeding.

Any suggestions?

 

[Davo]

Mine bred at about 24 months, i would not worry about them maturing in July and it being too hot, they will come into condition when the conditions are right, maybe a bit later in the year, mine have not being cooled, i think they pick up on the photoperiod,the room they are in does cool slightly but is central heated with the rest of the house so defintley not cold,just keep a close look at the cloaca, when it starts to enlarge get them in the water.
Good luck. :happy:

 

[Mark]

I think mine first laid eggs at around 1.5 years old but the next season they produced much greater quantities of eggs so perhaps they weren't quite ready. A lot will depend on the size of the newts. If fully grown they're probably capable of breeding. I have a small male who despite being the same age as the rest of the group did not take part in the courtship this year, just a slower developer I suppose.

Temperature cycling is good practice even if they aren't mature so there's no problem cooling them during the winter on the off chance they'll breed. Mine court in Jan and lay either late Jan or early Feb - more of a winter breeding than a spring breeding.

Feed them lots, be patient and you will be rewarded.

 

[Linus]

Neurergus kaiseri maturity

Thanks Martin and Mark :]
Their appetites are ridiculous. Now that I've started feeding chopped trout worms (red wigglers) they are really growing well. They never refuse a meal, and have been shedding quite frequently. It seems that one of them is always shedding at any time I observe them.

I'll have to try taking measurements, I never really disturb them but I did attempt catching one to take measurements a few weeks ago and they were having no part of it.

Next time I do a water change. . ;]

Do you guys use artificial lighting or go all natural?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

By all the data I have mined, it appears that breeding age is around two years, however, I have not been personally able to confirm this as of yet. My breeders are of unknown age. It appears to me that size rather than age is more important. From the data I have digested it appears that once the SVL is around 75mm, anything goes. This makes sense to me, as the better the diet and availability of food, the faster they grow. (Merely my opinion based on experience so far.)

I am also a firm believer that a combination of temperature drop coupled with a significant, sudden barometric pressure drop is the trigger.

 

[Linus]

Is there anyway to facilitate a barometric pressure drop manually?

 

[Linus]

Food for thought:

Inflatable Terrarium Assembly With Controlled Environment

 

[SludgeMunkey]

I experimented with a few concepts in one of my infamous mad scientist moods. I was able to build a few ten gallon aquariums that I kept mildly pressurized slightly above the average atmospheric pressure here. With the addition of a few small valves, I was able to bleed the pressure off over time. The construction was simple. Getting it all to work took time and money.


The issues involved are expensive and time consuming, especially when one must also simulate the proper temperature drops and light phase shifts over time. (Basically, there is no way to maintain the pressures if you want to feed your critters and maintain a tank properly.)

There is also significant risk in what I call "blowout", that is the tank itself fails. In experimenting, I found it took only a few bars (in one case a fraction of a bar) ΔP to break the glass and or pop the silicone seals. I managed to destroy a few tanks with spectacular results! I tried it with an acrylic tank too, but witnessed bulging I felt dangerous.

I never did test it with live animals, as our weather here in Nebraska is volatile enough I get all sorts of natural fluctuations and I felt no need to put any of my specimens at risk.


In short, It is cheaper to watch the weather daily and buy yourself a nice barometer to hang on the wall. It is also safer for your pets.

 

[Linus]

Reminds me of the movie "Explorers" from the 80's. I'll get a barometer.

Thanks just the same Johnny!

 

[SludgeMunkey]

You are welcome. While digging through my notes I see that I at one time tried the same concept for breeding Betta splendedns (fighting fish). I had forgotten all about that. At the time I was in Southern California where a barometer drop is as rare as a thunderstorm. From those notes I formed the conclusion it might be better to just pressure control the entire room. Even frond sketches for a DIY airlock...

That is probably how I came to own such an interesting collection of various barometers.