calpolybobby
New member
Hi everyone, I'm new to owning newts and excited to learn all I can!
I recently received 4 california newts T. Torsa from a friend who was moving and couldn't keep the little guys any longer. They were all in great shape when I got them but now the runt "dolly" I think has fungus on her tail. I did some research on here and started salt bath treatments at 6g/L of water. The tank is a 20 long, water temp hovers around 68-70 being that I have no air-conditioning for the nest week or so. I dont currently have any test kits so I can't give anymore information as to ph or nitrates. The tank is set up with a reptofilter for 20gallons with a tree stump that breaks the water flow. Everything came with the tank from my friend, I plan on making changes within the next 2 weeks when I get to my permanent home. Change gravel to organic substrate and plant live plants.
Couple of questions that I have yet to find answered on here, hopefully someone can help!
1) I have done the salt baths 2 times a day for past 3 days and the scab with the fungus has fallen off. Is this normal? seems as if the skin now is raw again. Do I continue for longer than the recommended 2-3 days after it falls off?
2) Is the fungus contagious to the other newts in the tank? I currently have dolly in a separate tank but would like to know when or if I can re introduce her into the larger set up
3) The tank currently is fully aquatic being they are in breeding season. I would like to make the tank a semi aquatic tank like most care sheets recommend...when can I expect the little guys to start going on land more?
4) If I make the tank semi aquatic using a permanent divider, how long must I wait before using the tank again (with aquarium grade silicon)
Here is a picture of Dolly with the fungus, the large patch has now fallen off so that is a good thing I hope!
Sorry if these are played out questions, I have been trying to find answers but just really want the little guy to get better!
I recently received 4 california newts T. Torsa from a friend who was moving and couldn't keep the little guys any longer. They were all in great shape when I got them but now the runt "dolly" I think has fungus on her tail. I did some research on here and started salt bath treatments at 6g/L of water. The tank is a 20 long, water temp hovers around 68-70 being that I have no air-conditioning for the nest week or so. I dont currently have any test kits so I can't give anymore information as to ph or nitrates. The tank is set up with a reptofilter for 20gallons with a tree stump that breaks the water flow. Everything came with the tank from my friend, I plan on making changes within the next 2 weeks when I get to my permanent home. Change gravel to organic substrate and plant live plants.
Couple of questions that I have yet to find answered on here, hopefully someone can help!
1) I have done the salt baths 2 times a day for past 3 days and the scab with the fungus has fallen off. Is this normal? seems as if the skin now is raw again. Do I continue for longer than the recommended 2-3 days after it falls off?
2) Is the fungus contagious to the other newts in the tank? I currently have dolly in a separate tank but would like to know when or if I can re introduce her into the larger set up
3) The tank currently is fully aquatic being they are in breeding season. I would like to make the tank a semi aquatic tank like most care sheets recommend...when can I expect the little guys to start going on land more?
4) If I make the tank semi aquatic using a permanent divider, how long must I wait before using the tank again (with aquarium grade silicon)
Here is a picture of Dolly with the fungus, the large patch has now fallen off so that is a good thing I hope!
Sorry if these are played out questions, I have been trying to find answers but just really want the little guy to get better!
