Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

Feeding schedule-daily?

Neuter

New member
Joined
Oct 15, 2008
Messages
85
Reaction score
2
I have 4 female fire belly newts in a 10 gallon tank, I do a partial water change every week, I have a filter, good cover, gravel, the good bacteria etc. I know the tank is small for what most would recommend but I keep the water quality good and the newts seem happy.

They have after a month or so of having them, all learned that tweezers are their friends. I feed them cut up small earthworms, usually called "wigglers" around here.

I had been feeding each one roughly half an earthworm every 2 days. I would tap the tank in a certain rythmic manner when I did so, 4 times fast, 4 times.

I then tried switching to feeding them each a quarter of an earthworm every day. I want what is best for my newts but I have to admit I really enjoy feeding them, seeing them pounce on the earthworms always gives me a big smile.

Is there any advantage to feeding them every other day, if they will still eat every day?
 

Jennewt

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
12,451
Reaction score
146
Location
USA
Good work! It's great that all of them are healthy and eating worms from tweezers. Since you have only had them for a month, I would guess that they are probably still small, and/or re-bulking from their export experience, so feeding them every day is perfect. I suspect that at about the same time that you get tired of feeding them every day, they will have reached the point where they are plump and don't need as much food as they do now. As long as they stay at a healthy weight, it doesn't really matter whether you feed them every day or less often.
 
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
    Top