Feeding Problems

H

heather

Guest
I have a Fire bellied Newt that wont go into the water, unlike the other problem in a recent thread (something like "newt wont go into water")when i put my newt in the water i doesnt calm down and scrambles out as quick as it can. It wont eat anything i offer it on land, and wont stay in the water long enough to notice all the food around it.
I have tried all of the following with success with the more aquatic of the two newts:
Live brine Shrimp
Freeze dried Blood worms
Chopped up earth worms
The terrestrial newt wasnt always this way, s/he used to go into the water and when it did it would nibble on the brine shrimp.
If anyone has any ideas how to encourage my newt to eat, or to get it back into the water please help me!!
 
Hello again, I have had this problem before, it is usually with a younger newt, and/or a newt that is still coming out of the petstore trauma. I would suggest you continue to feed bloodworms (has a lot of smell) in the water, just so that if he does go into the water without you knowing it, he will hopefulluy see the food. On land, try feeding bigger earthworm pieces, big enough so that it still moves, and small enough to fit in his belly. But remember not to make any sounds or anything, so that he doesn't get distracted from his "hunt" if he sees the moving worm. I would also always try to keep 1 or 2 small crickets on the land, and maybe he will take a nip at them. Besides that, its all patience, and it is all up to your newt now. About the water thing, I would say you should place him in the water like once or twice a day, and if he swims onto land, its okay. Good luck, and hope your little guy eats!
 
thanks mark, i have been trying to get him to go into the water a bit, he usuallly sits there for a second, he just swims to the edge of the water and sticks his nose out, its almost seems like he cant hold his breath, then he usually gets out after a couple seconds...its really puzzling!
 
My first was like that, but gradually became accostomed to water, even now he spends 90% of his time above water, and even if he does get wet he dunks half of his body in while holding onto his favorite rock. Its weird but he eats and acts normall so you may just have a land lover on your hands.

I wouldnt push the water issue on him, he'll get used to it when he comes around. Id think that periodic dunks maybe stressfull, and then he associates you opening the container with a dunk instead of food. Just a thought.
-Jacob

(Message edited by snakehunter on December 12, 2004)
 
Hmmm...
that is something to think about, maybe i should just leave him be for now...
 
I finally figured it out!!
my aquatic newt is pretty smart and watches me when i move around near their tank, i come up to the glass and he follows all my movements, anyway i was watching th other newt sneak into the water. The one that stays in the water swam as fast as he could over to the other and scared him away, out of the water!!

I was like hey! htat was mean! i took the aquatic one out and put the other in, he didnt move. He does like the water!!! they must be territorial or sumthing, I hope it wont be such problem when i give them a more large of a water space...

Does anyone know about Fire bellies being territorial?
 
Are you sure you have Cynops and not Paramesotriton? The aggression and lack of feeding in the victim sounds very much like the latter genus. Paramesotriton are much larger, and have a black belly with orange markings, whereas cynops have an orange or red belly with black markings.
Have you got any pictures, even bad one?
Chris
 
Hmm, I have never had a terretorial newt, what size is your tank, maybe you should upgrade?
 
I have a ten gallon tank, my newts are quite small, it is definately big enough for them, i am going to remodel their tank as soon as we get my filter to work again. I will put more water in their tank so maybe that will help. I will try to post a picture for you chris
 
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