Question: Does He Look Healthy?

[Newt Owner 71]

Okay, I may be just a nervous new parent of a newt, but does he look healthy? Too thin? I'm worried about his eating. He won't take to live worms, and i'm trying frozen bloodworms, he's barely eating those, but enough I guess to make him poop. Small crickets are too big for him and i'm not sure what else to do, other than keep putting in the bloodworms? any thoughts? His water parameters are all normal, I check them twice a week, just because i've only had him 3 weeks as of today and the first week the levels were extremely high. He stays in water all day, barely comes out on to the land and stays hidden in the cave or the plants. Am I doing okay?

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesh...1309.850560006209.1218577448576&mode=fromsite

Thanks,

Linda

 

[Otterwoman]

That looks like a T. granulosa to me, and he looks like a good size, not too thin or fat. Well fed. I don't think he's too small for worms or crickets, though it's hard to judge with nothing else in the picture, but he looks full grown. How long is he? (I'm just guessing on the sex and have no evidence either way). You might try cutting worms into, say, one inch sections, putting them in a jar on its side, and leaving them overnight and seeing if he eats during the night like that. In the jar, they'll be easy to clean out the next morning. You can do that with the bloodworms too. Nice looking newt!
The behavior seems normal for a new newt, though after a time when he's eating well, he'll come to greet you when you enter the room, wanting food. But that will be a little way down the road (though maybe not too far down!) Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[Newt Owner 71]

Thanks! I tried the cutting of the worms last week and he didn't take to them either. I'll just keep dropping in the bloodworms. I just don't know if it'll go after the crickets seeing since he stays under water all the time, i'm not sure he'd come out looking for crickets? I will try though! Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes!!

Linda

 

[Newt Owner 71]

I think he knew I was posting here today to make an idiot out of me. Tonight, he was out sitting in front of the tank as if waiting for me, I went and dropped in his frozen worms, I walked away, and he ate them all! He's still sitting in front of the tank watching me, but i'm not going to give him anymore, I don't want to make him sick. I'll give more tomorrow, I also put in a frozen water bottle and the temps went down to about 60 F i wonder because it was cooler if that made him more active to eat? As soon as the temps went down he started eating up the food! I'm not sure, but whatever, he's eating,and that's all i care about! lol

Thanks!
Linda

 

[keechoo]

Yay! Good for both of you!