Question: New FBN aquarium comments

[Larry85]

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I bought 3 FBNs and put them in a 60L semi aquatic aquarium I've had set up for a few weeks, let me know what you think of the setup - all comments welcome!

They ate defrosted bloodworm straight away and seem to have settled. They're not using the turtle dock at all but like hiding amongst the rocks and vegetation.

I've got couple of questions if anyone is able to help/advise?

My FBNs ate between 6-8 bloodworms each from a tweezer - is that sufficient to give them every other day? I know everyone says it varies by newts but just looking for something to compare against. Hoping to get some earthworms as this should be simpler and quicker to feed.

One of the newts is not very active compared to the others, it's slow moving and keeps close to the rocks. I also noticed that it seems ever so slightly larger than the other two and it's throat seems to be swollen (frog like) could it be ill? - I fed it about 7 bloodworms without a problem - see photo.

Finally both the other newts have white dots along their back, is this normal? they're very active and feed well

Many Thanks!
Larry

 

[Azhael]

Hey, the photos aren´t showing. Try uploading them directly to the site with the "manage attachments" button.
6-8 bloodworms is not bad, but they can tackle a lot more. Try getting earthworms as soon as possible as bloodworms are an incomplete food source and they should only be used sporadically

Newts aren´t really very active so the inactivity you are observing in the biggest one might be completely ordinary. Is the throat inflated all the time or is it pulsing?

The white dots could be the ampullae that form the lateral line. They are most visible in fully aquatic adults. They should follow a line from the tail up to the head.

 

[Larry85]

Ah sorry Azhael I tried adding the image and linking it to a new album - I've tried again using "manage attachments".

Yes I'm going to find some earthworms tomorrow - I tried some brineshrimp but its difficult with a pippet and they didn't seem interested.

Your description of the white dots seems to match what's on both my FBNs.

As for the swollen throat it does seem to pulsate but it also stays large like in the photo, there are no white dots on this newt either.

Thanks for your help! I've been reading through the forum for weeks and I've bought a book but nothing like another person to ask, much appreciated :happy:

 

[Azhael]

Yeah, the white dots that are visible in the picture are the lateral line, so if that´s what you meant, there´s no problem there, all perfectly normal.
The one with the inflated throat could be preparing to shed. Keep an eye on it to see how it develops. If it persists, it could be a problem.

The stones you have as substrate are going to dificultate feeding and cleaning, take it into consideration. Don´t leave left-overs an stuff like that. The good news is you have fast growing plants in there which will keep things in check if you slip a bit on the maintenance or you are unable to remove feces and stuff.. I´d recommend letting them grow wild and form dense matts of vegetation. The newts will love resting on them.

If i see correctly, you have a filter. I´d advice you to take it out. It´s not necessary in a large, understocked tank like yours, particularly in the pressence of fast growing plants. The newts will apreciate the still water.
I would also recommend increasing the water volume. The more water you have, the more stable all parametres will be and the less maintenance you´ll need to do.
It seems that the tank doesn´t have much of a lid. You really need to get one that fits tightly and is 100% scape proof. You´d be surprised how good they can be at scaping...

 

[AngieD]

To be honest, you probably won't need the turtle dock at all in there, it could even help them escape - I have found mine being able to 'spider newt' up the side of the tank if they have something solid to push up from

 

[Elliriyanna]

I thought newts needed the option of dry land