Aquatic and terrestrial stages??

[Helena]

I just got my baby newt (chinese fire belly) - he's 4 months old. I was told to not put deep water into his setup and make it mostly terrestrial, because he could drown. But I've also seen threads on here were people raise their efts aquatically. Is he too young to start breaking the terrestrial phase? I also read that it is easier to feed them aquatically and they grow much stronger that way. Do they just start swimming when they feel like it or do you have to "push" them to be aquatic?

 

[jewett]

I know some people have had good luck raising them aquatically but I have never been successful w that method until my babies have been a year or so. They do grow more rapidly when they are aquatic, but I don't recommend it unless you are very experienced with caudate care and rearing.

 

[Methos5K]

It is too young to go aquatic. With Chinese firebelly newt juveniles; once they go terrestrial; they will have to stay that way until they get bigger. To raise them aquatically you can't allow them to come on to land after they morph; you have to force them to stay aquatic; never letting their skin dry out. Like jewett stated; only keepers with extensive experience and knowledge should attempt this; and even than you may lose some to drowning.



In a year or two; with healthy growth; could you attempt to move them to the water. Keep it shallow (1-2 cm), filtered, clean, cold, and loaded with Java moss. Raise the water level over time.