new P. labiatus

[KevinS]

The local pet store got in 4 "paddletail newts" today and I was surprised to see that they actually appeared to be labelled correctly. Upon checking the Caudata Culture page, they seem to be true Pachytriton labiatus to me, but I wouldn't mind confirmation from some of the more experienced keepers here. Anyway, I bought the largest of them (around 5 inches total length) which I assume is a female. Actually they all looked female to me, but maybe the others were too small to accurately determine. Anyway "she" is in a pretty bare quarantine container right now while I get an aquarium set up. I wish I had a better picture to post, but this was the only decent one I got before the camera batteries died on me. I'll try to get better pics up soon.

I dropped in several frozen bloodworms which it easily sniffed out and consumed. The immediate interest in food was pretty reassuring, so hopefully it will do well in my care. One thing I could use advice on is getting it to accept pellets for food. I dropped in 2 sinking "newt and salamander bites" which it inhaled but then spit back out. I was thinking the soft trout/salmon pellets that a lot of axolotl keepers feed might be more appetizing. Since it did have initial interest in the pellets, I'd like to find some type that it will accept on a regular basis. Can anyone recommend particular types that might be more appetizing or are the soft trout pellets probably my best bet? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[Jennewt]

I think the soft salmon pellets are a good bet, although i can't guarantee the newt will eat them. Frozen bloodworms are pretty convenient, so you might want to stick with those, and supplement occasionally with whatever wild bugs/worms you are able to find outside.

 

[KevinS]

Thanks for the advice. The bloodworms are pretty convenient, but they seem a little small for a newt this size and I'd like something a little less likely to flow around the tank once I get a good filter going. Here's a slightly better picture. Unfortunately, I can only get decent pictures from above right now since "she" is in a temporary plastic tub. Anyway, it is pretty interesting to watch and I'm sure it will be much more entertaining once I get it in a nice planted setup.