I don't supposed you even live in my part of the world, and make conclusions about the food I'm feeding it? Make suggestions man, not some conclusions you have little probability of being certain of, let me make the conclusion or come up with the solutions. I am after all the one who actually owns the newt with the malady!
You're a moderator, please be moderate in your attitude to others. Giving me a red mark for disagreeing with you? tsk tsk.
I don't live in your part of the world. I do know that your location geographically has absolutely NOTHING to do with what is and isn't acceptable as a food item for Paramesotriton chinensis. Azhael is right, the dwarf frogs aren't a good food source for the newts because, like the newts, they're wild-caught (at least I sincerely hope you aren't feeding captive bred Hymenochirus to a newt!) and full of parasites. Sure the frogs are nutritious, but that doesnt' mean they're a safe food for your newt.
Btw, the species have been in the country for years. My first newt I had was in 1991 when I was 12 (C. orientalis was my first newt, the current one is P. Chinensis.). If its anything, its not the weather. Or the temperature. I'm still trying to figure out the problem.
The newt is not trying to get out of the tank. Even as I type it is moving around the tank prowling for food. It is not dying. It just does not have reaction to smell based foods, and I actually do expect the newt to survive, but the behaviour is not normal; it also only takes food (dwarf frogs only) every 48 hours only when before this he would wolf down 2-3 before he returns to his cave. So I welcome any other suggestions.
Environmental is out.
Biological? I agree with Jennewt and Azhael that it could be disease... but, he is active. Although he does not chase (lunge at) the shrimp and guppies like he used to... sort of ignores them.
I was wondering if it could be mating behaviour, and that he is looking for a mate. But I understand because of our temperature the species do not mate in this region. I'm hoping someone with experience breeding the species could let me know if it is a behavior you've seen before?
How are you so sure that this behavior isn't from the temperature? Have YOU spent years studying P.chinensis and performing experiments to come to that conclusion? I know a lot of people here have learned that proper temperature is one of the most important factors in this hobby that can be the difference between success and failure.
What is a "smell based" food?
You're still trying to figure out the problem, yes. This is because you've ignored the advice you've been given. No one here was trying to start a flame war with you, but it's very aggravating to see the same questions asked over and over and people like you still don't want to listen.
This is most definitely not mating behavior at those temperatures, I guarantee it.
How do you know your newt is prowling for food? Did it tell you? I think if it were prowling for food it would actually eat the foods you've offered it.
After 4 weeks, my warty newt is alot thinner and did not eat still... I have resorted to force feeding it, and it is working for now. however, after much research and elimination, I have narrowed the problem to something biological.
The newt itself is fine, and has no diseases. After being forced fed, it has gained back the weight and bowel movements have returned.
The problem only surfaced as the weeks progressed. I saw a layer of dark greenish material forming just a few millimetres below the substrate. It has a gelatinous texture and seems to pop right back the next day after I removed them. I suspect that this is one the forms of the blue-green algae that is poisoning the newt, or affecting his appetite. does anyone have any experience with BGA?
I am thinking of using either copper sulphate based remedies or the blackout method. need some advice, it is much appreciated!
Force feeding your newt is going to stress it out until it dies. Handling any newt is stressful, especially when it's an unhealthy, imported newt kept in a hot aquarium like yours.
You say the newt is fine and has no diseases? How are you so sure it doesn't have diseases? Did you get a fecal analysis done to prove this? Maybe it's your expert opinion? (since clearly you know more than anyone here)
Copper sulphate is toxic to amphibians.
You're asking for advice, but no one wants to give you any because they see your reaction to the good advice you've been given. I'm no expert, but I've kept a couple newts in my life (yes, including chinensis). If you don't want to take advice, that's your decision. It makes no sense to me why someone would buy a pet without giving it proper conditions, then complain when things go wrong and on top of that, refuse to believe what experienced keepers have to say.
I feel very sorry for the newt under your care. If newts could talk, yours would be screaming for help.
but I'll not feed him for 1 more day and I'll try again. Keep you guys posted.
