Is it normal that Cynops orientalis change their skin?

[monica]

Hey! I have a pair of Cynops Orientalis and I have some questions about them. One year ago, I bought the male (I supposed it was a male, knowing absolutely nothing about the species. It was love at first sight). Then I began to read about it (the shop assistants lied to us they live with fish... actually they say this all the time, to all of their clients, in order to sell them). We built him a terrarium. Watching him every day, I saw it had periods and periods: staying in water or staying on the little island we made for him. But I always felt he was a little... how would I say this? Lazy.. and even sad.. Well... A few months ago, I decided to buy a female, I was thinking he will be "glad", he will have company... Afterwards, it seemed to me that he was sadder than ever. He didn't want to eat, stood still all the time. I even thought she was beating him. Not to mention that I was very, very pleased about the female.. He is very active and funny. Now it's everything ok: they swim together, spend their time together.. I like them very much. But I noticed something quite strange at him. He changes his skin. Is it normal? Till now he changed it three times, during one or maybe two months. Is he ill or something like that? What should I do?

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Are refering to "changing" as shedding? If so this is completely normal. Most will shed about once every week or two. Usually they will eat this excess skin which is probably why you've rarely seen it but those few times.

 

[Otterwoman]

If you are referring to skin color change, it is normal for their color to change from black to a sort of brownish gray and back, lighter and darker. If you do a search on the forum, this phenomenon has been discussed before.

 

[Crysta]

Also if you are reffering to colour change, are you talking about the mating sort?.

but as said, if you mean shedding, very normal... (yum yum extra meal)