How to deal with low temperature?

[Lusiwarrior]

Hello people,
some Portuguese enthusiasts, especially the less experienced including myself, are experiencing difficulties in maintaining their newts, Cynops particular, because of the low temperatures that are to be felt by! In some cases it is the first winter they spend with us! I ask you, in particular the people of the Nordic countries tend to deal with this situation?
The temperature of the waters is between 15 ºc and 18c º! Some newts are not eating, others are out of water and some are stressed!
We accept suggestions! :happy:
Thank you all!

 

[Azhael]

I´m rather surprised....could there be another possible cause?
The newts eating less is perfectly normal, their metabolisms are wasting less energy and therefore feeding doesn´t have to be as regular.
What species of Cynops in particular are having problems? I wouldn´t expect C.orientalis to show any stress at all with those temps, neither C.pyrrhogaster. I´ve kept mine at lower temperatures without any problems.
I´m curious, what signs of stress have they been showing?

Anyway, i suppose if temp really is a problem, you could always use an aquarium heater (a good one), or move the animals to a warmer part of the house.

 

[Jennewt]

All my aquariums are 7-16C right now (except for juvenile C cyanurus, which I keep a bit warmer). All the newts (including several species of Cynops) appear happy and I have no problems with them. Some of them eat less, but not a big difference from summer really. I think your problem may be something else. Are there live plants in the tanks that are dieing from the cold, for example? How long have your tanks been in operation?

 

[Lusiwarrior]

The species are C.orientalis and C.cyanurus! I know they eat less because your metabolism, but they are not even eat anything! My C.o made a cube disappear bloodworms in a matter of seconds, now after 3 days was still there almost all. Were goals a fly larva, 6 and put it there after 2 days there were still 4! As for the C.c continue to eat, but only for around 1 / 3 of what they ate before. The platform increases the drought are constant and sometimes very long in both species, although the C.c stay for a short time. The C.o are leaving skin and sometimes have a tail in the form of S! Incidentally so I had to change the substrate there are 2 weeks to be with excess nutrients. And yes I have many plants!
In the case of the girl, the behavior of C.o it is at all similar to mine. But she changed all of the water tank for thinking that was the ph down! Another thing to come to get it dry, pursed the platform!

 

[Salmonella]

The temperature sounds fine. Regarding the bloodworms: Try rinsing them in cold water (use a fine sieve). Put the rinsed bloodworms in a dish/bowl on the tank bottom. I use feeding tweezers to put clumps of bloodworms in the dish. Don’t worry the newts will find the dish and plunge in for dinner. The cubes are really not that easy for the newts to eat, besides the squiggly effect from the worms in the dish are inviting to them. (Also the rinsing removes the oils and will help keep the water much cleaner.) I have a filter running in my tanks which I shut off during their feeding time so as not to disturb or suck up the bloodworms. If there is any uneaten food after a day, just suck it back out of the tank with a turkey baster. Unless your newts are terrestrial I doubt that the flies will get eaten.

I do use platforms in my tanks. Sometimes just plants floating above the surface of the water, stacked rocks, or a floating platform that attaches to the side of the tank. I keep the platforms weighted (using small rocks) just enough to have a bit of water lapping over most of the area. In this way the newts remain aquatic and I do not have to worry about them “drying” out.

I quit using gravel in my tanks and keep only bare glass bottoms. This way it is easier for me to maintain. I do use different size rocks though for hiding places, and “land” areas. It is actually quite attractive.

 

[Lusiwarrior]

I also have a filter, the idea of turning it off at the time of food also seems to me well! My substrate is fine sand, in a container but I have to tender for the food, which is always clean, because when I remove the debris. As for bloodworms frozen, just let them thaw before you give them, the idea of washing them does not seem too bad! And I do not give them flies, but more particularly larvae of Calliphora vomitoria, which they love, and also has earthworm , which is what they'll try and give today after turning off the filter! My platform is acrylic imitation stone, is covered with moss and always damp, the young girl who is also the same problems as do not know how, I ask you to help too!
I leave here a pic of my tank, for you to see!
Tanks

 

[Azhael]

Never turn off the filter for longer than 15-20 min. Otherwise there is no point in having a filter....

 

[Lusiwarrior]

Thank you for your advice, I already eat a few pieces of worms and fat! And yes I only had the filter off for a few minutes! Now I'll see if I can also help the poor girl! :happy:

cheers

 

[Salmonella]

Azhael, I agree with your comment regarding the time-frame when shutting down and restarting a filter. It is good that you brought that to attention as I failed to do so. I do "turn" my filters back on within that time-frame (at least make an attempt to).

It is a good thing that members here "watch each others back". Omission of information (such as I did regarding this post) can have detrimental consequences. Sorry