Paramesotriton in US

[Otterwoman]

If you go into a pet store in the US and get a Paramesotriton, which one is the most likely for it to be?
I know it's hard to tell them apart. This is what I got today, I know it's not the greatest picture. I think two are male and one is female. The female is mossy colored.

thanks

 

[Nathan050793]

Hey Dawn,

As I mentioned to you before, they look like P.chinensis (which I know is what you thought).

 

[Azhael]

They look like P.chinensis to me too, though a side view would probably help.

 

[Otterwoman]

OK, here you are. I won't be back till Monday though to see your verdict! Alas, to have to work for a living...

But also, I'm thinking this is the only kind that really gets sold in the US, is that the case?

I love that greenish one on the end.

 

[Jennewt]

I once bought 8 Paramesos from a pet shop. They turned out to be 3 different species! Yellow spots like I see in the 3rd photo (on your first post) are a giveaway for P. chinensis.

 

[freves]

They look pretty much like the group that I bought from a local petstore last year. I think that mine are P. chinensis as well. It is interesting to note that you have both light and dark forms. I also have 2.1. How are you keeping yours?
Chip

 

[cichlidjedi]

I have noticed many Pet Shops in the Midwest get newts from distributors that are sold as rough back newts. The most common species is chinensis. Also hongkongensis are also sold as rough backs and they seem to be more common in the early fall (September). My job takes me into over 100 independabtly owned pet stores all over the northern midwest and that's how I got my groups of chinensis and hongkongensis. All these animals I bought were sold to the pet stores as rough back newts.

 

[micstarz]

Chinensis

 

[Otterwoman]

Right now I put them in a ten gallon with an air bubbler and a bridge and some large rocks (to haul out on) and it's about 1/3 high with water. I'm transitioning them from the petstore where they were in 2 inches of water. I believe they are pretty aquatic and will want a full water tank with just some haul-outs, like Pachytriton? I also cut up a worm and put it in a jar, they were fed blackworms at the petstore. I didn't expect them to really eat yet, and they didn't, but at least they know what fare they'll be getting here!