Depressed young C. orientalis

[amidala]

I'm quite concerned about one of my 4 newts - he's the smallest (looks like a male - short tail) and thinnest of them and he tends to rest on the log unlike the others which are taking to the water most of the time. He also eats very little (he escaped from the tank once but thankfully we found him soon after) - we wonder whether he's suffering from depression or something! He's almost suicidal! We were happy to see him molt and take a bite of his skin - but he did not finish it up. What might be wrong with him? Is there anything we can do to help, like keep him separately from the others?

Thanks for your help!

 

[jennifer]

How and what are you feeding the others? I would try feeding him with tweezers with defrosted frozen bloodworms and chopped live earthworm pieces (especially try the worms). You could also try separating him in a tank of very shallow water with live blackworms. Some newts just don't adapt to captivity, but I hope he comes around.

 

[amidala]

Hi Jennifer,

Oh what a cute avatar you have used! Thanks for your suggestions. I have been feeding him frozen (thawed) bloodworms from a tweezer - he usually takes one or two mouthfuls and then refuses to eat further, even when I hold the worms right in his face.

He usually sits for hours on the log and his body would look so dry. I'm really worried that he wouldn't make it. I've had the newts for almost 2 weeks now.
Thanks veyr much!