Question: C. Orientalis not going in water as much..?

[TashaLou]

Hey,

I've had a firebelly newt for about a month now, and he always used to spend like 90% of his time in the water. Recently though, it seems like whenever I look in, he's often on the rocks out of the water. A few days ago I added some new moss to the tank... I hadn't had real plants in the tank before, so could this be why he doesn't want to go in the water as much? Also, over the same period of time I was away over the weekend and the tank temperature rose to 19c, whereas usually it's around 12/13 c. Even though the temperature is now back to normal, could this be why he isn't in the water as much?

Is it even a problem that over the last 2/3 days he seems to prefer being on land more? It's not that he refuses to go in the water, he is just choosing to sit on the rocks a lot more than previously.
I use spring water in the tank, and do partial water changes regularly so that is all fine.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[RobM]

Have you tested the waters parameters with a test kit? Most newts refusal to go in the water is due to poor water conditions or because they are in a young terrestrial stage of life. As you mentioned up until recently your newt was highly aquatic, which probably excludes the terrestrial stage option. Some mosses such as sphagnum moss are highly acidic, so the moss you added could have transformed your water parameters. It is best to check the water to make sure, then remove the moss/do water changes as necessary to get the water back to normal if there is a problem.

 

[TashaLou]

Rob, I haven't tested the water recently as I need to buy another test kit because I was using a friend's.
I added java moss and willow moss; are they highly acidic too? Yesterday evening after I posted and all of today he has been in the water, so I thought maybe he was just on land because he wanted to be..? Thanks!

 

[RobM]

Typical, the little monster is trying to worry you for what might be nothing!
Java moss and willow moss should be fine, they are good aquatic moss. I would still check the parameters though just to be safe! It might be worth posting some pictures of your setup too, it may lead to further suggestions if you still think there is a problem.

 

[TashaLou]

Hey,

Thanks for the suggestions. I tested the water and everything was fine, and now he is back in the water all the time! Maybe the change around and the new moss freaked him out for a while so he started sitting on the rocks more, who knows! He seems fine now though

Thanks a lot

 

[Kaysie]

That's good to hear, Tasha!