Question: Trying to lay eggs?

[evut]

One of my Cynops pyrrhogaster females has been quite chubby for a while now and I sometimes see her clasping a plant leaf with her hind legs. I saw her do this a few weeks ago and now again a few times.
I can't be sure but it does look like she's trying to lay eggs.
I haven't seen any eggs. I'm not sure what freshly laid eggs look like and how big they should be but I suppose it's something I wouldn't miss. Her cloaca has changed recently and also my 2 males have both been courting the 2 females for a while now. The newts are very young, though (about a year). There are plants in the tank.
I wonder what's going on and if she's missing something?
Thanks for your help!

 

[Azhael]

Definitely egg laying behaviour.
She might need some practice until she feels ready to start laying so don´t worry if eggs take a few days to arrive.
Oh, and congratulations! xDD My group is breeding too

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I love seeing pictures like these and I can't wait to see pictures of the eggs when they arrive. Do you happen to know what "race" they are?

Now if I could just find a male for my girls..........

 

[firefly]

Stunning pictures there evut, & your tank setup looks really nice. May I ask what camera have you use please ??

 

[evut]

Firefly, thanks for the nice comments. The camera is Panasonic FZ50.

Justin, not sure about the race. Probably Sasayama (someone suggested this here before) some of the photos of Hiroshima race also look similar. I just got them as Cynops pyrrhogaster without any further info.
Mophological Charactaristic of Cynops pyrrhogaster

Regarding the eggs, does anyone have any pictures of what they look like in the beginning? What should I be looking for? I suppose the gelatinous eggs with the embryo inside is a further stage of development? And how long can the female carry the eggs?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Nathan050793]

Here's a link to a photo series on the development of C.pyrrhogaster from fresh egg, through larva: Caudata Culture Photo Series - Cynops pyrrhogaster development

If I'm not mistaken, the females can lay eggs on and off for several months at a time.

 

[Jennewt]

All of them look to be in breeding mode, including the male in the 3rd photo. I don't think they are missing anything, the tank looks good. It wouldn't surprise me if there have already been some eggs laid, but they are either well hidden or have been eaten. Watch closely for signs of the adults "sniffing" around the plants for tasty treats. Some newts ignore their eggs, but some are absolutely crazy for eating them.

When you say that the newts are only about a year old... do you mean that they hatched as larvae only a year ago? Or were they adults that you obtained a year ago?

Good luck!

 

[evut]

Thanks for the great link, Nathan.

Regarding the newts' age - we only got them in May last year. I think they had hatched (or morphed...? not sure) the December before that. The photos were taken the day we got them in May. Maybe you can guess from that.

They turned out to be 2 males and 2 females. One male has had an enlarged cloaca since September and I also saw him tail fanning the same month. The other male developed later but they have both been very colourful for a couple of months. Both have huge cloacas on which the papillae are sometimes visible.

I will definitely keep a looking for eggs. I'm sure the newts wouldn't miss anything that even vaguely resembles food...they are greedy piggies

 

[Bellabelloo]

Congratulations Eva..they look fabulous.

 

[Jennewt]

Wow, for 2008 babies, they've grown up quickly. Nice work!

 

[evut]

Thanks, everyone! :happy:
I will definitely let you know if I find some eggs.

Azhael, what are your newts up to? I know you mentioned your group are similar age as mine so I'm curious. You said they are breeding - have you got any eggs or even larvae?

 

[Azhael]

Actually yes, i think my group is just about the same age as yours if yours morphed in December.
I do have eggs and fertile xD
Their tank is heavily planted so finding the eggs is very hard, but i have a few that i can see. I´ll ship some to a friend and the rest i´ll probably raise in with the parents.
I think none of the eggs has hatched yet, but i´m looking forward to seeing the first larva around hehe.

Give your newts some time, i´m sure the female will lay eggs (if she hasn´t already)

 

[jamminnewt]

Evut- you have a BEAUTIFUL tank setup! It looks like a great playground for your group. Congratulations!! I had a group of Triturus Karelinii breed before and it was an experience. Be sure to read all the care sheets and advice from our more-experienced members!!

Enjoy and post pictures when you can please!