New to newts

[Bill B]

Eva,

What kind of newts are those in your tank?

Mine generally sits on top of the tuft of artificial grass near the center of the photo.

Here is the setup right now:

And here is a pic of the underside of the newt

 

[Azhael]

It´s most definitely an Hyselotriton orientalis.
It looks like it may be in terrestrial phase, probably due to the stress it´s been through. In that case you should be careful that terrestrial areas are extremely easy to access. When it goes back to being aquatic (which will probably take some time and will require excellent water conditions) you should really encrease the water level to fill the tank.

I see you have a pump, with such a small water volume i would advice against it for the intense current it will be creating. If you considered live plants, the filter would completely unnecessary.

 

[evut]

The newts I have (the bigger tank) are Cynops pyrrhogaster. They are fairly similar to yours. Hyselotriton orientalis was previously Cynops orientalis so search the forum and the care sheets for that.

I didn't realise your newt was not spending any time in the water but it is a common problem and there are many threads about it around the forum. I found that they can be tempted with blood worms sometimes. If you offer them with tweezers the smell can lure the newt and then you can try putting them in the water if the newt knows where they are. Make sure you don't leave any uneaten food in the water, though.

 

[Bill B]

Thanks to both of you!

 

[Bill B]

I have turned off the filter (I wish I hadn't wasted money!) so I think it may swim around more now that there is no current to avoid.

It does stay partly immersed - won't it stay healthy if its skin stays moist?

It did spend a lot of time under water, under the Sphagnum when that moss was in there.

 

[Bill B]

I don't think it is eating. That is not good. I put it in a small container separate from the aquarium in which it lives, and it didn't seem interested. I didn't watch it the entire time, but anyway....

It is spending more time underwater right now.

 

[evut]

Newts can go for a very long time without eating. Transportation and a new home can be very stressful for them - this is possibly why your newt isn't eating .
What are you feeding him now? If he's in water, I would definitely recommend that you try bloodworms - you can buy them frozen in fish shops. Take a bit from the cube and place it on a piece of tissue to defrost and them place the worms in front of the newt. Newts love the smell so hopefully he'll try it. Make sure you take out any leftovers (turkey baster is best for that). You should also try offering an earthworm. And definitely try to avoid anything that might stress the newt. Try feeding just once or twice a day, not too often. Does he have a place to hide in the water?

 

[Bill B]

Yes, I have bloodworms. I hope it eats. I don't put the the bloodworms in the aquarium because I don't want to make a mess. Is that a mistake?

 

[evut]

Do you have frozen or live blood worms? Both are actually better as aquatic food. I did manage to train some newts to eat defrosted blood worms on land (from a tissue) but they were little terrestrial juveniles. I had to hand feed them first before they learned to take them from the tissue.
If your newt is in water, definitely feed him there. Place some blood worms somewhere near him and see if he takes them. If not, leave them for a while, maybe go away and switch the lights off. Also try an earthworm.

 

[Bill B]

Oh, I meant feeding him in a separate container with water. I did put the bloodworms right in the aquarium this evening, and he ate. Yippee!

 

[evut]

That's great! Moving him into a different container may have stressed him... anyway, it is normal to feed newts in the tank where they live. Keep an eye on the water quality and if he's spending time in water, you should increase the volume.
Make sure you get him earthworms as well, they are newt super food.

 

[Bill B]

Oh, they were frozen bloodworms, since you ask.

He seems too small to eat earthworms.

 

[evut]

A newt can eat a worm of almost the same size. And earthworms come in different sizes Large ones can be chopped (it's horrible but you get used to that quickly...).

There are some kinds that newts won't eat because of their secretions but a good earthworm is by far the best food. You can read about them in the food section.