T. dobrogicus breeding, larvae and adult photos

[otolith]

Well my Dobros are at it again. The three females laid nearly 300 eggs in the span of about 3 weeks starting in early December. Out of that original number I have 80 or so larvae who are ravenously chasing down moina and growing exceptionally fast.

The adults have been laying every day but all of the recent eggs have been duds. I have never seen large quantities of fertile eggs before infertile ones before, has anyone else experienced this? The 50% egg die off is to be expected but this is something new.

Here are a few photos of the parents and some of the larvae set ups. Enjoy!

 

[Niels D]

I haven´t experienced that myself. Mine started laying in november and they haven´t stopped since except for a little pause now and then. About 20% are duds in the end alas.

 

[sde]

They look great!
Honestly it kind of makes me sad to know that I cant keep this species, dang Washington's rules!!! Such a extensive blacklist.

Keep me updated on the growth of the larvae if you can, I find it all very neat to watch.
Also, anything special you did to get them to breed? Or just keep them "happy and healthy" and they bred?

Congratulations! -Seth

 

[otolith]

Seth-

The newts are kept in the coolest room in the house and get to high 60s in the summer and cool down to the high 40s/low 50s in the winter. Once the temp creeps up to 58-62 the females usually start laying eggs. Last year they did not get cooler than about 60F and had a much shorter laying season. In my experience a cooling spell is the only "fool proof" way to get the species I keep into breeding condition. Convenient since the seasons do all the work for you.

 

[sde]

Your lucky, the temp in the coldest part of the house here ( the basement ) doesn't get lower that 50 I don't think. This morning it was in the low 30's outside and was in the mid 50's inside, in the basement. I don't know why. The seasons would do all the work for me too, but the basement never gets cold enough. Maybe if I remove the my filter that warms the water a bit, that might help.......

Thanks for the info man! -Seth

 

[frogman]

Mine just like to breed on their own, no methods or cooling