Abnormal feces

[greg]

Hi there, I house two Chinese Fire Belly Newts in the same tank.

This question is regarding newt poop! I've seen (first hand) what the healthy stuff looks like, but not what the "unhealthy" kind looks like.

Today I noticed one newt had an off white/runny discharge hanging from his vent. In a few seconds it eventually turned into a full bowel movement. It was a little softer than a health movement, but it was still white (colour of bird droppings). I collected the sample. It did have some dark patches in the center.

His eating habits are fine, eyes are clear, strong swimmer and very alert.

Although about a month ago the same Newt went through a rough period that led to a quarantine. He was very healthy three months before that.

He just stopped eating, stayed away from the water and had trouble shedding. He looked dead! Then all of a sudden he started eating and acting like a normal health newt! His weight is up and he gets along with the other newt. Does this have anything to do with the NEW poop problem?

They both are fed freeze-dried blood worms/planktin, frozen blood worms and frozen raw shrimp. He (at one point) ate a young guppy and a few small crickets.

Any helpful suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[danny]

I would think the 'poop' problems might be the guppy situation. Just about anyone will tell you that mixing fish and newts together or any type of different species is a no no. But Ive never seen anything other than a good 'poop'. I feed mine just frozen bloodworms and chopped up pieces of earthworm. Just in case you havent read this article here it is

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Mixing_disasters.shtml

 

[joan]

Freeze-dried blood worms have practically no nutritional value. I'd definately cut them out of your newt's diet, as they're just a waste of your money.

Mine have really light-colored poo after they've eaten a shed, or after they've eaten crickets. Try feeding bloodworms and chopped earthworms for a few weeks and see if that helps anything.

 

[greg]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try all the suggestions and keep an eye on it the situation.

The guppy was a one time mistake that happened when I first purchased the newts (pet shop guy's idea). After reading feeder guppies may carry parasites or disease I removed them.

 

[greg]

Just an update...
I caught my newt going to the washroom... again! Wow, what luck! LOL

Anyway it was a normal movement.
Thanks for the help.