Common Mudpuppy

Overview

Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a tailed amphibian (caudate) native to Eastern North America. A fully aquatic salamander with bushy external gills, living in lakes and rivers.

Care level: Intermediate. Toxicity: Low.

History & Origin

The Other Caudates (Other Tailed Amphibians) is naturally distributed across Eastern North America, where it occupies the typical habitats of its family. It has been kept by specialist and hobbyist keepers both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance & Size

Common Mudpuppy is a 20–33 cm tailed amphibian (caudate).

Temperament

These fully aquatic tailed amphibians (sirens, amphiumas, olms, mudpuppies) keep external gills for life; they are long-bodied, largely hidden and require cool, well-oxygenated water.

Care & Husbandry

These fully aquatic caudates need a large tank with cool, highly oxygenated water, gentle filtration and plenty of cover; they must never be allowed to dry out. Feed worms, shrimp and sinking carnivore foods; keep temperatures low (10–20 °C depending on species).

This species is generally rated Intermediate in difficulty for keepers.

Health & Lifespan

In captivity Common Mudpuppy typically lives 10–30 years. These caudates are notably long-lived, often 20–60 years for some species. They need stable, cool, well-oxygenated water; injuries to external gills heal slowly, so avoid sharp objects.

Popularity & Recognition

Sirens, olms and mudpuppies are evolutionary curiosities that keep gills for life; the Chinese giant salamander is the world's largest amphibian and a conservation icon.