T. Karelinii babies, growing?

[jazz]

Hey,

It's been ages sine i've been on. My two surviving Karelinii larvae began morphing about two weeks ago. I know they're late and behind and small. I haven't had time to properly care for them. They're finally big enough to eat tiny bits of earthworm, so that saves me time buying too many bloodworms and having them die on me before the newts have eaten 5% of the purchase. *SIGH*

Anyway, I wanted to know how big they should be at this stage, they hatched in early October, so they are about half a year old. Also, does anyone have advice about water quality. I remember in the article I wasn't supposed to put any conditioner in their water because it hurt them. So I have just been letting the water stand for 24 hours and using that. Last week I tried adding some conditioner and they have been shedding almost constantly since then- I'll stop that.

Any advice for my little guys would be appreciated. I'm trying my best to take care of them. I'm feeding them every three days now. Should it be everyday?

Thanks! Hope your newts are healthy.

 

[jennifer]

Live bloodworms (blackworms) can live in the fridge for months, if cared for correctly. I wish you had asked about that sooner. But if the newts are eating earthworm bits, that's better anyway.

I don't remember anything about water conditioner being harmful to juveniles. The only thing it may harm is daphnia. The problems with getting rid of chlorine by letting the water sit 24 hours are (1) this doesn't work at all if your water has chloramine, which is used by about half of US water suppliers (2) unless the water is fairly warm or bubbling, the chlorine may take more than 24 hours to dissipate.

I'd recommend feeding every day. If they are eating large servings of earthworm bits, then maybe every other day is OK. Once they reach about 3 inches in size, then every 3rd day will be OK.

 

[jazz]

Ok thanks!

I could have sworn I read something about not using conditioner somewhere.... ok. I'll make the adjustments, thanks Jen!

 

[joseph]

I remember mine eating whenever they had food infront of them. But once every 3 days sounds fine to me. They will start growing...fast! Get them earthworms ready.

 

[eldaldo]

Hey jazz it's good to hear about your newts, I'm sorry about them being so small.

Mine are all done morphing and the largest is 4.5 inches now. I also have started with earthworms, But still throw some blackworms into the tank because it is hard to make sure I fed each of my 9 newts enough earthworm. I feed them maybe every three days sometimes more often and occasionally less often. they are all pretty fat and are growing fast so I think it's ok. As far as water quality, I do a half water change about every week. I am not sure if this is what the pros here do, but my newts don't seem to mind. (I also don't use conditioner and just refill my water jugs after the water change so they sit for a week). Good luck with your juvies let me know how they turn out. My largest one is growing a crest so I at least have one male to breed with, yeah!