C. Orientalis how do i get them to be aquatic?

Hi!,

So I have been breeding orientalis for 3 years now. Each time getting more success with survival rate and I have 10 efts currently (most have been sold). I have two females that are laying eggs constantly (still are). I am always having more and more newts and I have been considering trying to make the efts aquatic for once. Many people do this and I have always wanted to try this, but all my efts really seem to dislike water, which I understand since as juveniles they are hydrophobic. But how do some people have their efts in water at around 1 week after metamorphosis? Any help would be greatly appreciated! I have pics on my oldest efts they are around 4 months and over 4cm. The younger ones in the paper towel set up are 1-2 months and are nearly 4cm, you can see that the older ones are housed in a 75% water setup and 25% land but they never enter the water.

Re: C. Orientalis how do i get them to be aqautic?

I would personally reduce the water level to an inch or so, and have it full of live aquatic plants...I think the little efts will find it more inviting.

Re: C. Orientalis how do i get them to be aqautic?

Yes, open water is exactly what you don´t want. It will prevent them from going aquatic until they are mature enough to develop wider tails that allow them to be competent at swimming, and if any of them ventures on water, it can actually drown.
What you want is to pack the water FULL of plants. Java moss, Riccia and other plants that form very dense mats are ideal for this. Not only will they prevent drowning, they will create optimal water conditions for the juvies to explore safely. Eventually they will start dipping their heads into the water.

Re: C. Orientalis how do i get them to be aqautic?

oh ok so should i leave the tank like this and simply add in tons of plants?

Re: C. Orientalis how do i get them to be aqautic?

Remove all terrestrial areas, just have 1-2 inches of water packed full of plants. Using foods that are submerged (like whiteworms, baby earthworms, Daphnia, blackworms...) is useful to get them to venture into the water a bit at a time.

Re: C. Orientalis how do i get them to be aqautic?

ok thanks for all the help man!