Is my newt "gravid"?

T

trish

Guest
I recently bought two firebellied newts from the pet store. They both seem to be thriving, but in the last week, one of them has puffed right up (pregnant-looking) and is now roughly twice the size of the other. It's still eating and swimming and generally a happy newt. I have no idea how to tell if the pregnant-looking one is even female. If it is gravid, how long is the gestation period before the eggs get laid, then how long until the eggs hatch? I've looked everywhere on the net but there's no really comprehensive information unless I feel like looking through hundreds of other people's threads. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd sure appreciate it! Thx!!
 
Trish:

Hi. Welcome. Sounds like your newt might have something called bloat. Go to Caudata culture..it's accessible from the home page..and then go to the articles. Much info on bloat and its treatment there. Can you post a pic? Also do you know what kind of firebelly newt it is? There is an article on that subject as well. Many types of newts are sold as firebellies in pet stores. There are many real caudata experts on this forum(I'm not one!)who will help you.

Cheers,

Gord
 
Trish,
a gravid female will have a bulging abd. and the feet and head will be the same. Bloat from infection will show a more generalized swelling involving the head, mouth, body.
The belly can be slightly distended if they have eaten much and not defecated yet. My Spanish ribbed newts have a tendency to gorge and look "gravid" until they defecate!
 
Hi. Thanks for the feedback! She looks quite normal except for her belly and her "hoo hoo" - both are swollen-looking. I don't have any pics, unfortunately, but bloat sounds more feasible than pregnancy as I've had these two newts for less than a month and usually they seem to take quite the monster-poos. On another matter, the other newt now looks as if the end of his tail is almost coming off! This JUST happened yesterday. I thought maybe it was molting/shedding but it looks a bit gooey. Maybe a fungal infection? I keep their tank/water very clean and at the right temperature (according to what I've read). Am I maybe doing something wrong to make my newts sick?
 
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