Food options

[Autumncrossing]

Are there any types of live aquatic food I can introduce to my tank that my newts can pick off when they get hungry? Everything I have found so far sounds too small like daphnia for example. Ideally id like to find something that won't pollute the water too much. I've tried some ghost shrimp but the newts can never catch them.


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[Chinadog]

Live blackworms should be fine. They will survive in the water until they are eaten and are much better nutritionally than bloodworms or other insect larvae.

 

[Autumncrossing]

Do they do okay if there's no sand? I'm not particularly fond of them because they infest my marimo balls and rip them apart lol but if they're the only option I might cave!


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[TheAxolotlMan]

I don't know much about them but maybe scuds

 

[Asevernnnn]

Larger daphnia might work, Hypselotriton don't get very large

 

[sde]

Live blackworms should be fine. They will survive in the water until they are eaten and are much better nutritionally than bloodworms or other insect larvae.

But their protein is worse, their fat is higher, and their calcium to phosphorus ratio is really bad? Caudata Culture Articles - Nutritional Values

Snails? Newts will occasionally eat small snails I believe. Plus they are decent cleanup crew.

 

[Autumncrossing]

The shells don't cause impaction or anything of the sort? Also I thought I read they were a transporter of chytrid (or maybe it was something totally different I don't remember) ?


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[Chinadog]

But their protein is worse, their fat is higher, and their calcium to phosphorus ratio is really bad? Caudata Culture Articles - Nutritional Values

Hmmm, I was assuming that they were in the same ballpark as nightcrawlers given they are related. I've never actually used them as they are hideously expensive over here.

 

[sde]

The shells don't cause impaction or anything of the sort? Also I thought I read they were a transporter of chytrid (or maybe it was something totally different I don't remember) ?


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As long as the snails aren't too large, then no, I don't think the shells should be any problem. Also, some snails have softer shells, some have harder shells. So getting a kind with softer shells would be advisable.
As for chytrid, simply make sure you get the snails from a chytrid free source. If you have a pond nearby that has snails, and your area isn't known to have chytrid, I would imagine that would be fine. A quick dip in salt water would hurt, though ( about 5 or 10 seconds, no longer, or else it may kill them ). Or you could buy some from a pet store, but personally, I would trust a pond more than a pet store.