I agree with Collin... the sal would be less-stressed if there were additional hides, and if the back/sides of the tank were covered with dark paper or a background.
It is totally normal for a newly-acquired animal to refuse to eat when watched. If the crickets are disappearing, all is well. Don't forget that crickets need to be dusted occasionally, and never add more than a 2-3 at once, as uneaten crickets can munch on salamander skin.
Another way to verify that the animal is eating is to put in a shallow dish with pieces of earthworm (still wiggling, but not large enough pieces to crawl away). Put the dish close to the sal's hide, and count the pieces the next morning.
Fire sals can become tame, but it takes time.
It is totally normal for a newly-acquired animal to refuse to eat when watched. If the crickets are disappearing, all is well. Don't forget that crickets need to be dusted occasionally, and never add more than a 2-3 at once, as uneaten crickets can munch on salamander skin.
Another way to verify that the animal is eating is to put in a shallow dish with pieces of earthworm (still wiggling, but not large enough pieces to crawl away). Put the dish close to the sal's hide, and count the pieces the next morning.
Fire sals can become tame, but it takes time.
