Our new FBT and their palaudium

[SludgeMunkey]

Some of you may recognize this paludium from caudata.org. It was an experiment with Cynops ensicauda popei in mind, but now that it has grown in well, I realized it was perfect for FBTs.

So without further blather, here is some shots of our new critters and their homes!

[John]

Very nice, Johnny. Some of them are very green. I still haven't forgotten this vivarium - I would pay serious money for that setup!

PS: Perhaps a photo of the month in there?

[Kurt]

Very nice. How long has the Java moss been growing in there?

[SludgeMunkey]

All the plants were added in Late March, Early April.
12 on 12 off lighting wiith standard T8 Bulbs is the secret.

[Kurt]

I find Java moss to be indestructable, unless you put in a bucket and leave that bucket on your back porch during a New England winter. That will kill it, but not too much else will! I also find that it will take over the tank, clogging up filters and other equipment.

[SludgeMunkey]

Agreed. Every so often I take the scissors to a mass and trim it back...then save the trimmings to clone more batches. Works very well. All of my moss is descended from a few stray strands that was tangled into an anubis plant about 7 years ago.

For those that are interested, here is the thread that covered construction of this set up.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=60637

[Kurt]

Its is amazing that all it takes is a few strands to get it going.

[SludgeMunkey]

Amplexus!

Must be doing something right... I suspect I ended up with one male and three females in the collection. Boy, that one male has been busy! every time I turn around he has the large green female in amplexus. This could be interesting...

[Kurt]

Then again, nothing could come of it as this species is known for being in a constant state of amplexus. Mine are always trying to mate. My understanding is they need to brumate over winter, kind of like temperate zone Colubrids do, before you can breed them. I will be attempting to do so this fall, and hopefully and successfully breed them in spring.

[John]

Yes they are always in amplexus but nothing ever comes of it. They don't need to be cooled down a lot to breed, I believe, but they do need a cycle.

[Kurt]

Well, I am going to give it a try and hopefully next spring I will have tadpoles.

[SludgeMunkey]

Excellent. I was unaware that this was constant behavior in this species. I will give it try this fall also, I will have no problem with brumation temperatures in the new frog section of the critter room.

Could anyone suggest a care and breeding reference for these animals? The little bit I have been able to find so far seems somewhat incomplete.

[Greatwtehunter]

Awesome tank Johnny!

I've always put my toads in the fridge for about a month and a half to get them to breed. I tried one year just cooling them down in the tank but only one female cycled so I never bothered trying that way again.

[lraulston]

Heck I saw some the other day in a petsmart that had tadpoles in the tank. I told a guy and he was just like "are you sure they aren't crickets". Um yea. Pretty sure. lol

[Kurt]

Billy said that he was going to write a care article. If he doesn't, I will next year after I successfully breed them.

[Kurt]

Was this a fire-bellied tadpole?

[lraulston]

I assume

[aramcheck]

For those that are interested, here is the thread that covered construction of this set up.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=60637

Great set up, however, if I want to spy on your built, the link seems to be brocken...

[SludgeMunkey]

Interesting....

Try this one:

Caudate bar...Now with Anurans!

[aramcheck]

That one worked, thanks!