Newt not eating

[paulmichael]

Three days ago I found what I believe to be a male red spotted eastern newt. I’m using my old 10 gallon fish tank for his enclosure. I put some gravel, moss, rocks, and a tree branch to provide for his terrestrial needs. And have about 25 percent water space for his aquatic life. I Keep him in temperatures around 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit since those were the temps I found him in. He’s been hiding quite a lot during the day and not eating which has me concerned. I’ve tried feeding earthworms and some store bought pellets. Is this normal behavior.

 

[xxianxx]

Its probably stressed from being captured.

 

[CharlieCaulfield]

Personally? Where all else fails, qax worms serve me really well.

They're probably very stressed from capture. Leave it be, let it sit a few days, and feed it some big squishy wax worms, they usually go right for the.

 

[Roughskinned]

I too have found wax worms to be very alluring to stubborn eaters

 

[KrabzAga]

From the image, the newt on the branch seems to be an eastern newt eft. They need a setup with no water or just a very shallow water dish. Dwarf white isopods, pinhead crickets, white worms, and baby dubia roaches are good foods for them.

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Notophthalmus viridescens - Eastern Newt

I would also disinfect the wood by boiling it for an hour or so.