Another p.labiatus concern

[AngieD]

I had just fed the paddle-tails, and saw both of them eating at least a couple of morsels each. About 10 minutes later, I noticed the larger one doing an obsessive amount of tail fanning, while moving his head as though he was going to throw up. I noticed that his throat looked a tiny bit puffed up too. I took him out of the tank and he started behaving normal again, so I put him back in the tank and he started fanning again, without the 'heaving'.
He is currently behind the flowerpot - one of his usual hiding spots.

I know that tail fanning is normal for paddle-tails, particuarly males (which I am starting to believe Imi is), but I'm a bit concerned about the heaving motion he appeared to be doing.
Has this happened with anyone else's paddle-tails?

 

[Black leaves]

yeah, that normal, more likely to feeding time they are aggresive a bit but, after the large one finish, the smaller one will come to eat or bite a bit and the large one will flee, its normal behavior, as long as you kept them in large area, it will not become serious problems..

 

[kay]

I would have to disagree with Black Leaves. If you search through this forum and look at older posts, many people have discussed agressive behaviour and the troubles of having more than one animal in the same tank. These are HIGHLY agressive newts and will be extremely territorial with eachother.

How big is your tank? Have you provided mutiple hiding spots?

In terms of the heaving and tail-fanning, I have a few comments. The heaving could be simply digestion, but I would keep an eye on that next feeding time. What kind of substrate do you use in your tank?

As for the tail-fanning, I have noted mine doing the same thing, and it is the only one in the tank. I do vaugly remember reading however that tail-fanning may be a sign of anxiety or aggitation.

 

[AngieD]

This thread is a bit old now, I should have added a post saying that the trouble has stopped.
Imi doesn't fan as often since I started feeding them in a bowl, the aggression has stopped completely, I don't use substrate and they have 2 hiding pots providing 4 hiding spaces (as well as plants to provide cover).
The paddle-tails stay out of each other's way most of the time, and occasionally meet up, touch noses and then part again. The aggression was happening for a month or 2 after I got them, and they then settled down and becaume peaceful.