i have recently bought 3 chinese firebelly newts. one is around 3 inches in length, the other two a bit smaller, the smallest of which only around an inch, perhaps slightly taller.
while the bigger one seems healthy and fine, i need to ask questions about the other two.
the middle one had some missing fingers when i bought, but i thought they will grow up again and he was the last in the tank, so i got him. i ve noticed that whilst he acts healthy, eats and acts pretty curious, he is losing pigmentation. i have seen other threads on coloration on this forum, but what i mean is that, in some places, instead of black, he is almost turning pinkish / white, almost transparent skin tone... i am not sure if this is a fungal infection, since the skin still looks smooth, and nothing that looks parasitic seems to be growing on it. i am very inexperienced as to newt care and habits, so i do not know if this is normal, or cause for alarm.
the smaller one (in the photo) is the one that worries me most. it was pretty active when i had it, but is recently just staying on a rock outside the water, doesnt move much, and i do not think he is eating. his skin has also turned paler.
some details: i have already tested ph and nitrates / nitrites. both are fine ph around 7 and nitrates are very low since i mostly feed on rocks, and very little underwater. temperature may be a bit on the high side, since i live in a country where summer is very warm.- it is not 22-23 degrees as i write. i keep a fan blowing constantly over the tank, and also have been icing the aquarium water, placing it in a plastic container dripping onto the water. i have also read the link about cooling the tank. however this is minimal, it would be apprx 25 degrees if i do not do this, buti understand that 23 is still high... i m not sure if it is the heat, or anything else, so any feedback is very much appreciated. i do not know much about newts, and my only source of info is the net, so thanks for any advice...
while the bigger one seems healthy and fine, i need to ask questions about the other two.
the middle one had some missing fingers when i bought, but i thought they will grow up again and he was the last in the tank, so i got him. i ve noticed that whilst he acts healthy, eats and acts pretty curious, he is losing pigmentation. i have seen other threads on coloration on this forum, but what i mean is that, in some places, instead of black, he is almost turning pinkish / white, almost transparent skin tone... i am not sure if this is a fungal infection, since the skin still looks smooth, and nothing that looks parasitic seems to be growing on it. i am very inexperienced as to newt care and habits, so i do not know if this is normal, or cause for alarm.
the smaller one (in the photo) is the one that worries me most. it was pretty active when i had it, but is recently just staying on a rock outside the water, doesnt move much, and i do not think he is eating. his skin has also turned paler.
some details: i have already tested ph and nitrates / nitrites. both are fine ph around 7 and nitrates are very low since i mostly feed on rocks, and very little underwater. temperature may be a bit on the high side, since i live in a country where summer is very warm.- it is not 22-23 degrees as i write. i keep a fan blowing constantly over the tank, and also have been icing the aquarium water, placing it in a plastic container dripping onto the water. i have also read the link about cooling the tank. however this is minimal, it would be apprx 25 degrees if i do not do this, buti understand that 23 is still high... i m not sure if it is the heat, or anything else, so any feedback is very much appreciated. i do not know much about newts, and my only source of info is the net, so thanks for any advice...
