Paddletail parasites

I have two paddle tail newts, one male and one female. I purchased them in February 2009, both were full grown at the time. They live together peacefully in a ten gallon about 3/4 full of water, with a small turtle dock (which they never use).

A few days ago the female (Lucy) started to swell up around the abdoman area. After doing some online research, it looked to be associated with ovulation (although paddle tails don't usually breed in captivity). She is not swollen anywhere else so I don't think she is experiencing bloat. She has been hanging out at the top of the tank, resting on plants. Her appitite has not changed, she still eats her frozen brine shrimp.

I became very alarmed today when I found my male newt (Syd) exhibiting the same behavior, floating up at the top of the tank, but without the swollen belly. Thats when I noticed hundreds or maybe thousands of microscopic white "bugs" jumping around, swimming, and huddling together on the black gravel at the bottom of the tank. They just sprang up so fast, yesterday I didn't see them and today it's hard to miss them.

I immediately moved both newts to seperate sick tanks and brought a water sample to my local pet store chain. The salesman was not farmilliar with illnesses in newts, but gave me some parasite killer for fish. He thought it looked like fish lice. I put the tabs into the tank, but the little bugs are still swimming around.

Should I do a complete water change and clean everything in the tank? Do I need to replace the gravel? Would parasites account for the swollen belly on the female or is this just a coincidence? Has anyone had a similar problem? Does anyone know what these little bugs might be?

Thanks!

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I've also had microscopic bugs but they are perfectly healthy to have (check out the links).

The white bugs sound like copepods which are harmless to newts. I would do a complete water change since you've added the chemicals to it, I am not sure if it is safe for caudates.

Are your newts fed exclusively brine shrimp?

It sounds to me like you have a serious problem with water quality. Perhaps you over-feed, or you don´t have a cleaning routine, or the volume of water is too small for the pair.

azhael said:

or the volume of water is too small for the pair.

Click to expand...

I wondered that too; mine are in a 10 gallon tank at the minute but they are only young; when they get bigger I will get them a bigger tank.

Check the ingredients on the "medicine" bottle; I was told newts are susceptible to copper.