T. marmoratus suddenly out of water

[evut]

It's very interesting to read about a similar experience, Chris. I'm finding it extremely frustrating not knowing what caused this. My tank has plenty of ventilation - one third of the hood is mesh. I am thinking of getting some red cherry shrimp to put in the tank before the newts return - I was going to get some anyway and this way they could "test the water" (feels a bit wrong but I am ultra paranoid now).

 

[froggy]

It may also be to do with this species natural movement to land in the Summer, unless they are from the few more aquatic populations that I understand to exist. I tmay be that they benefit in some way from a terrestrial period, the missing of which leaves them vulnerable to infections or other problems...

C

 

[evut]

That's an interesting theory. I had a feeling that they were reacting to something in the water, but couldn't figure out what it could be. A substantial water change and moving to another tank didn't make any difference which was very strange - as if the problem was water itself.

Sorry to hear about your tylo dying. Have you been giving the rest of the group any terrestrial periods since then?

 

[froggy]

Hi Eva,

I suspect that they initiallty developed some sort of infection that continued to cause problems even after you corrected something in the water. When newts get these skin/bloaty issues and climb out the water, I think it is an instictive response to dry the skin out.

I didn't give my Tylos any specific terrestrial periods, but I provided larger cork pieces and increased ventilation so that they could dry their skins out more.

For Triturus newts, which show a more distinct terrestrial phase, I think that allowing them to dry out for a season can be beneficial for health.

C

 

[evut]

Thanks, Chris. After this I will definitely think about housing them terrestrially for a while each year. I've never come across anything that would suggest skipping the terrestrial period is detrimental, only perhaps that it is unnatural. I wonder if other people had similar experience with this species.

 

[Niels D]

I'm giving them a terrestrial period from the beginning of october untill the beginning of februar. Some throw them on land after they've stopped laying.

 

[Bellabelloo]

You may be able to use one of your floating islands Eva. You've seen how small my land area is. I drop the water a bit and they spend a few months lurking under their pot, just popping out every now and then for a swim.