Very secretive/lazy behavior

DeCypher

DeCypher

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
698
Reaction score
8
Points
18
Location
Ohio
Country
United States
Display Name
Austin
About a month ago I completely redid my Notophthalmus Viridescens tank, which looks beautiful. There's just one problem-I left a small hiding cave, which is made out of stacked rocks, it's on land, and it's not very visible. Ever since the newts discovered this, they never came out of it. One of them comes out regularly to feed in the water, but the other two stay put. The two hiding newts have lost a little weight and they never even go in the water. One of the hiding newts is trained to feed by tweezers, so that one isn't in any real trouble. As for the other one, she lost weight and never moves. What caused them to become like this, and how do I fix it? Could I just remove the cave structure?
 
If he's starving in there, then yes, remove it! Maybe try to get that other one to eat from tweezers too.
 
I will remove it. I don't know how much luck I'll have training the other one...whenever a worm on tweezers is in front of him, she freaks out!
 
Have you checked water parameters since re doing the tank? Maybe something is off balance from the re design that makes your newts hesitant to reenter the water. Do you feel they have suitable hiding places in the water? Just some thoughts, and I think Dawns suggestion is a good one - remove the troublesome cave if the water is safe for them to swim in!
Heather
 
Before they found that cave, they loved swimming in the water. They're not hesitant about entering the water, but they love that cave so much more. Whatever it is about that cave, they sure do love it (perhaps a little too much!) There are many plants, caves, crevices and stuff to hide in underwater as well. So I don't think it's an environmental factor...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • Shane douglas:
    with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??
     +1
    Unlike
  • Thorninmyside:
    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
     +1
    Unlike
  • stanleyc:
    @Thorninmyside, I Lauren chen
     +1
    Unlike
  • Clareclare:
    Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?
     +1
    Unlike
    Clareclare: Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus... +1
    Back
    Top