P. Chinensis behaviour in relation to nitrite levels

[fiaery]

I noticed a pattern of behaviour in my p. chinensis that I thought I'd get some opinions of.

I had placed my newt in the tank thinking that the tank had been cycled properly (think I missed the timing slightly). Fortunately the newt was quite hardy towards the nitrite in the tank.

Anyway, it was a potentially lethal mistake I committed, however I had made some observations.

While the nitrite levels spiked (I added the newt at the nitrite's peak of 5mg/L) the newt had made very frequent trips to the surface of the water to breath air, and did not like to stay at the bottom of the tank.

When the tank became cycled (now the nitrite is at 0.25mg/L) I made these two observations:

1. The newt started to 'breathe' water through its nostrils where it previously did not
2. The newt stayed underwater for much longer periods before surfacing for air (almost 15 minutes)

I believe as the tank matures further that the newt can stay completely submerged indefinitely. My hypothesis is that the nitrite/ammonia levels in the water irritate the newt's mucus membranes forcing it to avoid breathing in water, and going to the surface to get air. Where the nitrite has been removed, it can then take oxygen though breathing in the water.

I think by observing the frequency of the number of times the newt surfaces it could give you an indication of water quality wrt the nitrogen cycle.

Can anyone confirm or refute this?

Nick.

 

[slowfoot]

Hi fiaery,

Good thoughts, but no adult newt that I know of is actually able to breathe 'underwater'. What you were probably seeing is that when newts are stressed, they tend to airgulp more often. Stressed animals need more oxygen than non-stressed animals. He might also have been trying to leave the water, which is a common newt response to bad water. A calm, healthy newt can hold his or her breath for quite a long time.

Anyway, glad to hear your little guy is okay and settled :happy:

 

[Azhael]

I agree. There´s no such thing as breathing water. They do have a passive exchange of gases through their skin, but that´s all.
The newt was most probably trying to scape the water. I agree that newts in unhealthy water have a much bigger need for oxygen. My guess is that the bacteria or compounds that are making the water "bad" also exhaust oxygen or react with it, making it unavailable for the newt.