What if my tylototriton Verrucosus won't eat?

[Fluu]

Hey all,

I recently got a T.verrucosus from a friend of mine. I still have to set up a proper aquarium for it, because I haven't got the right stuff yet, so I am temporarily keeping it in a small plastic tank box thing. Ever since I got the Tylo (which is since last week wednesday) it hasn't eaten anything yet. Ive tried feeding it earthworms from our garden but it removes its head if i keep em to close as if it seems scared. Also whenever I come to close it starts moving its head up and down. Don't know if this is a stress reaction or anything.

The second thing is that I've rarely seen it move yet, and it stays on land the whole time. I've also took some pictures, because I thought it's belly seemed a bit swollen, although I'm not sure about this since I don't know what they're supposed to look like.

I'll try to add a picture or two later, if I can figure out how to put them on the forum or in a thread. But for now, does anyone know about any of these symptoms? and what would be the best thing I could do right now?

Thanks!!

 

[tmarmoratus]

Try a different food item. Ask your friend what it was eating before you received it.

 

[Fluu]

My friend had it for some time, and in all that time it ate like 1 earthworm total. I don't know if he also tried feeding it bloodworms/tubifex/musquito larvae and stuff. What do you suggest feeding it?

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

This might be a bit overboard but I would do the following:

Setup a sterile container with damp paper towel (brown if possible) with a hide. It sounds like you have something similar already setup.

Keep the container in a cool dark place with plenty of ventilation. The less stress the better. Light and movement are not handled well if he/she is stressed.

Feed chopped earthworms. Mine usually pursued the worm and ate only if it was moving.

Keep him cool and clean and he should start eating. It is a good idea to do this until he is taking food regularly (and you can monitor his behavior/health).

Making assumptions on his health should always side on caution.

Tylos are known to be very hardy and bold but also can be very sensitive to stress.

My 2 cents.

Good luck!

Mitch

 

[tmarmoratus]

If you can find wax worms, it may be a good starting place to reignite it's appetite. I've had problem feeders that won't turn down a wax worm. They are not great nutritionally, but their high fat content can help a newt put on weight.

 

[Fluu]

Setup a sterile container with damp paper towel (brown if possible) with a hide. It sounds like you have something similar already setup.

Keep the container in a cool dark place with plenty of ventilation. The less stress the better. Light and movement are not handled well if he/she is stressed.

thanks mitch!
uhh well, my setup now is a bit different from what you described. I put a big piece of aquarium wood (sterile: cooked in water 3 times) in a small plastic container with some sphagnum moss and filled it half with water+some aquarium plants. Is this a bad idea? should I change it to your style setup? Also since alot of people are keeping this newt solely aquatic I thought it always needed to be able to have water, so is it possible to keep it only on a moist towel?

If you can find wax worms, it may be a good starting place to reignite it's appetite. I've had problem feeders that won't turn down a wax worm. They are not great nutritionally, but their high fat content can help a newt put on weight.

thanks, should I try to find living ones or frozen waxworms? cause I think I'll be able to get the latter one, but am not sure about the first.

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

Keeping it on damp paper towel and misting regularly is perfectly fine (make sure to change the paper towel enough and used treated aged water). Keeping the newt moist is the most important.

It is true that many people keep their verrucosus completely aquatic, but there are also people that provide large land areas and the newt use it frequently. You want to provide a setup that tailors to what your newt prefers.

For the time being, I would keep it in a simple sterile setup until it starts eating. When you know it is eating (and pooping) normally, then I would try giving it a setup with water and a nice land portion as you have now.

Again, I am going on the side of caution. Tylos usually have a big appetite and if kept healthy, are pretty bold and take food with vigor. I would drop a chopped worm (or live waxworm as tmarmoratus suggested) and leave it for a while undisturbed, continue this until it begins eating.

Mitch

 

[Fluu]

Could I then also use a wet dishtowel on the bottom of the box"?, because papertowels don't come in any other colour then white (^-^ "). Also should I supply it with a small dish of water?
ow and thank you all guys/galls for helping me. I really appreciate it!

 

[mr cyclone]

Iv'e had this problem with juveniles before.My one wouldnt eat the live bloodworm or earthworm whole or chopped.I have a food tub with cocohusk substrate and a large water dish with elodea, and a piece of bark on the land area i initially put in some earthworms and some small crickets.I've never caught him eating anything other than a small worm but the crickets vanished and the newt has a food baby.As long as he can get to the water easily enough he seems to be fine.My baby tylototriton have seemed to prefer terrestrial conditions although they do like it slightly damp, unlike my great big fat adults who prefer the water.
Hope this helps