Fire Belly Newt Rescue! Some Questions

[VickyChaiTea]

Ok so backstory. I literally pulled this guy out of a firebelly toads mouth. He was in as far as his back legs, all that stuck out was his tail/legs. I could not leave him in a tank with ~20 fire belly toads.

No way.


I have been reading quite a bit on this forum about their care because honestly I had very little knowledge of these guys before I got him. So please bear with me.



I took him home and at first he lived in a bucket for 2 days... then in a 20gal on the floor for a few more. Finally, he is all set up. Unfortunately I was unable to cycle the tank before adding him. So the technical specs are as follows:


20gal
24” T8 light
70F
Double sponge filter
25lbs non-buffernig silica sand
Anacharis
Red Tiger Lotus
Bacopa
Pennywort
2 silk plants
Cork bark land area
Not pictured-Metal mesh lid (with small hole cut for air tube and clips)

The tank has cleared up since these photos.

I am concerned about two things. One, he has only eaten ONCE for me! I've had him for over a week. He ate some frozen/thawed bloodworms out of a pair of tweezers, but only one bite. Two, he has not gone in the water of his own free will. I'm mostly worried about his lack of eating.



I have tried feeding him bloodworms and mysis shrimp, both in his tank and out with no luck. Is he just stressed? Would live food help? If so, how can I feed him live food out of the water? Should I put him in a separate container with water and feed him live worms in there? I just don't want him to die.



I am aware that his tank could use more hiding places, I'm counting on the plants growing in and filling out a lot more. But here's another question... since he's not going in the water there is no food for the plants, correct? How should I remedy that? Should I add fish? (white clouds)

 

[UnstuckinTime]

Hey Buddy,


That newt looks pretty good for one rescued from the jaws of death! I'm no expert, but I don't think you have anything to worry about, yet. One week without eating, given how much stress he's been under, is what I consider normal. After two weeks, then you're allowed to panic. And as far as not going in the water goes, that's probably another sign that he's been stressed out from all the moving and the like. Once the tank cycles, he'll start to use the water when he's good and ready.
The tank looks really good, with plenty of room for more newts even! You could also add snails (I'd recommend it, personally), a few shrimp (I like Japonica shrimp- they're bigger than my newts can eat, so I don't have to worry about that), and even a few peaceful fish (I like pygmy catfish in my tank, but that's just me).
Give us some updates in a few days, I don't think you have anything to be too concerned about yet.

All the best,
CJ

 

[supergrappler]

Hi, its great that you are trying to help this little critter. The size of the tank is good and I am sure you will do your best to help it. The reason its probably not eating is because of the stress of a new enclosure. I would limit the lighting and bothering it for at least a couple of weeks. Secondly DO NOT add fish. Fish will freak it out, especially if it's still trying to acclimate to its new surroundings. Just keep it fairly cool, limit disturbance and/or loud noises and it should start eating for you within a week or sooner.

If you can get black worms that would be a good start. The movements and smell should trigger a feeding response.

Good luck! There are plenty of great posts and articles so please use the search function.

 

[VickyChaiTea]

Thank you for the replies guys!

sangaku gatame, I actually learned almost everything I know about these guys on this site. It has been beyond helpful, and is seriously one of the only web sites out there with trust-able information on it about newts!

Thank you for the reassurance, I'm trying my darndest to find live blackworms but it looks like I'll have to order them online. Unless I can convince my boss to order some. Fish eat them too and my job used to carry them so hopefully he can get some.

I saw him in the water yesterday, but not on the bottom. He was hanging onto some anacharis and later that evening he was on the cork bark. The next day he was dangling his back end in the water so... progress?? I guess? Haha.

I will hold off on fish until he starts eating/goes into the water. Then I know he'll be calm enough.

Also, when I rescued him it was without forethought, and the only tank I had lying around was an empty 20 so I said... to heck with it! And added him. Eventually, I will add another newt or two. I don't want too many, I'd like to under stock.

 

[supergrappler]

Thank you for the replies guys!

sangaku gatame, I actually learned almost everything I know about these guys on this site. It has been beyond helpful, and is seriously one of the only web sites out there with trust-able information on it about newts!

Thank you for the reassurance, I'm trying my darndest to find live blackworms but it looks like I'll have to order them online. Unless I can convince my boss to order some. Fish eat them too and my job used to carry them so hopefully he can get some.

I saw him in the water yesterday, but not on the bottom. He was hanging onto some anacharis and later that evening he was on the cork bark. The next day he was dangling his back end in the water so... progress?? I guess? Haha.

I will hold off on fish until he starts eating/goes into the water. Then I know he'll be calm enough.

Also, when I rescued him it was without forethought, and the only tank I had lying around was an empty 20 so I said... to heck with it! And added him. Eventually, I will add another newt or two. I don't want too many, I'd like to under stock.

Yes that is progress! That is great! Fish are not good companions for these newts. If your seeking companionship for your critter I'd suggest another newt of the same species. You could also throw in some glass shrimp too.