Help! my firebelly newt isn't eating!

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tiffany

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Tiffany Shewchuk
my newt isn't eating, does it need a specific kind of environment for it to feel comfortable and eat? I don't really have a tank, it's just a clear plastic square container with a couple of big enough rocks in the middle for land... there is no filter, air pump, a heater whatsoever, it's really just nice and simple...

another reason could be that I'm not putting the food into the water... it's in a kodak cap which is on one of the rocks... it just keeps the water cleaner that way. I do put water in the kodak cap though so that the food (frozen bloodworms can thaw). ohh sorry I have a firebelly newt.

(Message edited by Tiffany on July 06, 2004)
 
Is the newt spending its time in the water or on land? It's going to need more coaxing to get it to eat, but the stategy depends on whether it's in water or on land.
 
I can't really decide whether it's on land more or in the water cuz it seems to spend an equal amount of time on both land and water... if it's on land, it stays there for a long time, when it's in water, it stays there for a long time...
 
say it's on land more... what should I do? and what should I do if it's in the water more?
 
If you're not squeamish, get a tub of live nightcrawlers, take one out and chop it into pieces small enough to eat. This means slicing the worm lengthwise (along its gut), but live worms work well! You want to use a shart knife (and if you're under 15, please ask your parent to cut it for you. Heh.)

Be sure to get the Canadian nightcrawlers or mini-crawlers and NOT the redworms.
 
I'd say just put the bloodworm cube in the water while the newt's in the water, give it a half hour or so to decide whether to eat, and then siphon out the leftover worms. Or you can melt your bloodworm cube in a net under the tap first, and then add just a few of the rinsed worms to the water. If your newt seems to be avoiding the water, a water change is in order
wink.gif
 
ok, thanks for all your help... I'll try all those suggestions... cutting up the nightcrawlers LAST haha...
 
It's usually easier to get them to eat in the water, so try to feed it there. As Tim says, be sure to remove all uneaten food soon or you'll have foul water. If you live in an area with ample earthworms, try digging up some small ones that don't need chopping.

To feed it on land, try dangling a bit of bloodworm or chopped worm in front of its face with a tweezers. Small crickets or other bugs may also work. Good luck!
 
haha thanks again for all your advice! I'm definately sure one of them will work.
 
ok I've tried it... in the water, out of the water... but he just doesn't eat!

should he have some sort of light for warmth or anything or should I change brands for bloodworms... I asked the store what they feed it and they said bloodworms... do brands matter?
 
try live food, food that wiggles (like earthworms!). Wiggling food activates the 'hunting instinct' (no, thats not the scientific explaination, no one yell at me).

No light, no heater. Warmth = bad.
 
Also, have you tested the water quality? he may not be eating because his home isnt comfortable.
 
how should the water be like then? haha sorry... I have no experience at all... my first newt!
 
hehe thank you thank you for ALL your help ^^"
 
I think it ate... haha yay!! whohooooo
 
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