P. labiatus discoloration

[chezr]

I just bought a new paddle tail newt yesterday and his color seems a bit off. Instead of a dark brown/black body he's much lighter, and the color around his face is especially light. Could this be causes by stress/old age, or are some newts just much lighter than others? He also doesn't have much orange on his back, is it possible for that to develop in the future?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

It could be a stressed out newt. Under fed or even sick. If it eats and its active then it should be fine. It could just naturally be lighter or it could be a lighter subspecies. Do you have a picture you can show everyone?

 

[chezr]

I don't have a camera with me, but it's possible that I can get one. I don't really think there's anything wrong with the newt, he has actually darkened up a bit since I brought him back. Do you know if the orange lines across the newt's back get deeper and brighter though? Right now he only has a few faint spots.

 

[FrogEyes]

Your animals are likely P.granulosus, which is the most variable of the four Pachytriton. All color phases occur in this species, and the colors vary with age and size as well. Small specimens at the type locality look more like a rough-skinned Hypselotriton, complete with scarlet belly, than a smooth-skinned and faded adult torrent newt.

 

[EifLadida]

The Pachytriton I keep also has that problem. When I first got him, he was emaciated, and instead of the dark, rich, reddish-brown color, he was light tan. His belly and throat was covered in white blotches instead of the fiery red. And, also like you, he has darkened considerably as he has he regained his health. However, the blotches never went away, which I now believe may be scars from being kept for long periods of time with others of the same species while at the pet supplier. The pet store owner said he and his tank-mate would get along fine, but NOOO. There is a picture of him here, if there is any interest.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-salamander-help/70195-freaky-jawed-newt.html