Basti Breeding Question for the experienced

[chesney]

I have a pair of basti's that are around a year old. I received them as a probable pair a little over a month ago. For the first week or so the male called his head off. Calling has since stopped with the exception of a small "wek wek" once or twice. Could this mean that there may be tads? I have not seen any evidence, but then again I don't want to go poking around and disturb anything either. The tank is heavily planted (overgrown), has 3 film canisters and 6 broms. Thanks for any input.

Lisa

[nyfrogs]

mine dont shut up and they have tads in the water. so i dont think the call has much to do with it. i think he called alot in the begining because he wanted it clear it was his tank :wink:

[chesney]

Thanks. Any suggestions as to why he has stopped calling? Temp is 80-82, humidity is 94-100%, and the tank has two separate light sources. He is almost always out, but she hides a lot.

Thanks,
Lisa

[rmelancon]

"Probable" may be the key word. If you haven't seen eggs and the other has quieted, you may have two males. Not definite, but possible.

[salvoz]

Some of my bastis and other pumilio morphs will vary in their calling efforts for no apparent reason; and many seem to call just as vigorously with or without tads in the water. Low daytime and/or nighttime temps will quiet mine noticeably, however.

It is indeed possible that you have two males. other than egg-laying, the best indicator of sex is if you see the probable female following the male around while he is calling. I have also found that when I have (accidentally) kept two male pumilio in the same tank, the second (silent) male (other than getting bullied) will almost never call. If you have unresolved doubts as to the sex, maybe you should separate them and wait for the "probable" female to call...or fail to call.

[chesney]

That would make sense Salvoz. Thanks for the info. I will try to seperate the two and see what happens.

[Afemoralis]

before you pull them...

I know you commented on the humidity, but do you spray, or fog, or what?

Breeding in many amphibians including D.pumilio, is often triggered by increased rainfall- might as well try changing it up a bit with some heavy spraying...

just an idea.

cheers,

Afemoralis