Feeding

[kinger88]

Hi, i have just got a paddle tail newt after years of wanting some kind of amphibian.
I have done my research on them but every place seems to have different info on feeding.
So far he/she has eaten live blood worm and river shrimp dead and alive but i haven't got a clue how often to feed him/her.

Also, is it normal for the newts to find one place in the tank that they like and stay there most of the time? Mine likes the back left corner of my tank behind a cave and under some plants.

It seemed really skinny when i bought it but now it looks a lot better just don't want to feed it too much!

Thanks in advance

 

[jewett]

I feed my Pachytriton's about twice a week. The live blood worms are a great food (my guys only get frozen, though) as well as worms. I have never fed mine shrimp but I know other members of the forum feed their caudates the occasional shrimp.
Both of my Pachy's have also found their favorite rock hides and spend most of their time there. I think that is pretty common behavior, especially for an animal in a new environment. And, just in case you haven't read it, here is a great article on Pachytritons: http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Pachytriton/Pachytriton.shtml

Way to go on doing your research first. I wish you the best of luck with your new newt.

 

[Otterwoman]

I feed mine small earthworms or pieces of nightcrawler (about 3/4 inch to one inch long) on forceps or in a jar.

 

[keechoo]

Mine get fed nightcrawlers or trout worms. They each have their own hiding place. As for feeding, the newts and I seem to have a system going.....whenever they emerge from their hide I try tweezer feeding them. If they accept the food they eat it and return to their hide without reappearing for 2 to 3 days. If they reject, I don't try again until I see them again (24 hours or later). If they eat the trout worm I can expect to see them within 36 hours. If they chose the nightcrawler then it's a longer length of time.

 

[kinger88]

Thanks for the replies, mine is a lively one and is out and about around the tank half the time so not sure when he wants food and when he wants to explore.

Will try the tweezer feeding soon and see how he reacts

 

[Erease1]

I have recently discovered that my girl LOVES red wriggler worms. So far they have been no effort to maintain. I keep the little styrofoam container the the refrigerator and they are happy. Nunnie gets very excited now when she sees the tongs. She is much more excited than she was for frozen bloodworms and black worms.