Starwort?

[CherryBlossom]

I was reading up on Triturus carnifex and breeding, etc. I have recently adopted and homed a male and a female from another member on this forum (CB 08). He talked me through their age, etc, and advised that this winter they will be mature enough and hopefully ready to breed. Last winter the male was ready but the female not interested.

My question is... I had read online that a lot of newts like a plant called starwort in their habitat for breeding settings....does anyone in the UK know where I would be able to buy some from? My local gardening stores have said that they don´t do it and can´t order any in for me. I have had a look online but I am confused as there are (from what I gather) a few variations that I have seen. I would like to make sure I get the correct one.

Thanks so much

 

[Azhael]

Hi Cherry,
Although that´s a nice plant (if it´s the one i´m thinking of) you don´t really need it. There are widely available plants that will serve perfectly for the female to lay eggs on. My females LOVE java fern, specially the young leaves of the new plants that grow vegetatively on the "mother" one. They will also lay on Elodea or java moss (they like these two much less though).
A very good alternative are plastic strips. They are aesthetically horrible....but they are extremely practical. They allow you to see the eggs without problems (finding them among plants can b a pain) and spare you the need to cut up bits of plants. Some females actually prefer these.

Alternatively any plants with soft, broad leaves will serve.

 

[CherryBlossom]

Thanks so much I already have some Elodea in their tank already I will look into the java fern too. And also I will look into the plastic strips. Im not overly bothered about it looking pleasing to the eye, so long as the newts have what they want and need in order to try and encourage any chance of successful breeding.

Thanks again! xxxx

 

[oceanblue]

Starwort are Callitriche species. There are about six fairly common species and three or four rarities or introductions in the UK. They have thin underwater leaves but form rosettes on the surface. I think the stars are the rosettes, their flowers are tiny and unimpressive. I think they are not showy enough to appeal to the commercial water garden trade.

I do not know a local or commercial source. It used to grow well but not rampantly in a garden fishpond but I do not now have access to that site!

 

[CherryBlossom]

aaah interesting oceanblue. Thank you.

 

[Mac Myers]

Just make sure to stay away from the Death Starwart.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I had a look on ebay, and they have some. However I have Water Wisteria ( Hygrophila difformis) in with my newts and its looking really good.

 

[Azhael]

Uh! Julia, my father used to have that plant in his aquarium and it grew mighty fast!! It looked great and i have a feeling newts would love it for egg-laying. I ignore if it does well in caudate tanks, though.

I´ve never seen it again, but i wouldn´t mind giving it a try if i did.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I just looked on ebay, but the person I got it from will not post to Europe. Maybe it ill be worth looking there.

 

[JWERNER]

I agree with the Java if its something for egg laying you are after. Or fake plastic plants unless you cant trust leaving the eggs in the water. If you just wanna get something new to add some pop Star Wart is a fabulous looking plant.

The one and only local shop I can get to thats less than 50 miles away carries it sometime. I can check with them and maybe set something up between us, if they have any.

 

[eljorgo]

My triturus prefered without not even a doubt Hygrophyla and Ludwigia species. They almost didnt touched Elodeas at all and all the other types. Ludwigias got more than 100 leaves dismissed by the eggs And hygrophylas around 50 too. Elodeas didn't reach even to 10 eggs and mentha aquatica had only 3. Java moss, Vallisneria and java ferns got 0 eggs despite being in quite a good amount in there.
cheers,

 

[CherryBlossom]

Thank you everyone. I am going to look into it all this afternoon while I have some peace to do so (kids are going out with daddy today heehee, well the older 2 are.)

I will check ebay for sure. Thanks once again xxx

 

[CherryBlossom]

=] I managed to get some on ebay Thanks again to everyone xxx