Question: Bloodworms for Spanish Ribbed Newts

[Polkadot]

I've heard various answers to this question and am looking for clarification. Is it ok to feed spanish ribbed newts bloodworms? If so, how often should I feed them the bloodworms?

 

[Azhael]

They can be fed sparangly but should never be a significant part of the diet because they are nutritionally incomplete and can lead to deficiencies if abused. Personally i wouldn't use them since there are much better alternatives and therefore there is little point to using them, but they are ok if used very occasionally.

 

[Chinadog]

I don't know what it is about defrosted bloodworms, but aquatic newts seem to get 'hooked' on them quite easily. By that I mean if you offer nothing but bloodworms for any length of time you'll have a hard time getting them back on to more nutritious foods like earthworms or pellets. My pyrrho's would take defrosted bloodworms over anything else if I let them, even live bloodworms!

 

[Polkadot]

Thanks for the info! I'll plan on feeding them more nutritious food

 

[Azhael]

It's the smell. Defrosting the bloodworms causes cellular rupture and all those juices disperse into the water, the newts smell them a mile away and go berserker.

 

[Asevernnnn]

I feel like Im the only one who defrosts them in one cup of water and remove the bloodworms from that cup into a clean cup of water to prevent all that gross disgusting red water from getting into my tank lol.