Will sudden change in food be a risk?

[AuSu]

I just received two hypselotriton orientalis males today. They're over ten years old and have been eating frozen bloodworms probably their entire life, at least with their previous owner (I don't know if she had them these ten years altogether or were they rehoused even earlier). Another one is crippled in all four legs, for me it seems like a born anomaly but I've sent a message to know for sure. Others, they look good old guys

My guestion is, will I harm them if I suddenly change the bloodworm diet to earth crawlers mainly? I had to try directly, and after little wondering they both attacked a worm and started to fight with them as if they've done it every day But can it be so different that their organs get stressed and they might get sick from the change???

 

[michael]

Earth crawlers (earthworms?) should be a better diet than frozen bloodworms. I would just feed them lightly for the first few weeks to let their digestive system adjust. An old salamander like that should be fed lightly anyhow.

 

[AuSu]

Thanks for the reply! I'll do so. Lol, I mixed night crawlers and earth worms

 

[Chinadog]

Its possibly the lack of calcium in their all bloodworm diet that's caused the leg problems. Changing their diet to earthworms/nightcrawlers will harden their skeletons and prevent further problems, but I don't know if it will reverse the paralysis of the one that's worst affected.

 

[AuSu]

Ok, it's interesting to see if some changes occur in the long run.