fishandchips Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Hey everyone out ther in fishy land. I have had two fire bellied newts for just over two years and they do not seem to have grown at all. They are housed in a tank by themselves with 2/3rds water and 1/3rd land. I never see them in the water and they seem very lethargic. They are feed on fruit flies and aphids when I can find them. Is there anyone out there that has experience with newts that could help me, suggest what could be done (if i have a problem that is). Any help would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscarBoy Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 what size is the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 this should be in the Reptiles and Amphibians area you will get more help there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 plenty of arguament on newts on google but, i found in my personal experience, yes they grow very very slow. feeding whiteworms speeds up growth, high in fat and protein, you really see their belly fatten up., when about 4 cms long you cna feed waxmoth, they grow quick then, but they are very and extremely slow growing. japanese and chinese is a factor, oine of the grow bigger and faster, the other smaller and slowly. some say putting all water and just some plants sticking out speeds up growth, putting them onland seems to make them lazy in my experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Hey everyone out ther in fishy land. I have had two fire bellied newts for just over two years and they do not seem to have grown at all. They are housed in a tank by themselves with 2/3rds water and 1/3rd land. I never see them in the water and they seem very lethargic. They are feed on fruit flies and aphids when I can find them. Is there anyone out there that has experience with newts that could help me, suggest what could be done (if i have a problem that is). Any help would be great Newt life cycle is tadpole, then terrestrial, then aquatic. Your's are stuck in terrestrial. You need to cool them down to 12-15C and not feed. They will change to aquatic. Mine are 7 months old and are 80mm long. They grow fast if you keep them right. Theay are Japanese so you need to mimic natural conditions. Most people keep them indoors all the time which cocks it up. Chinese are similar buyt are smaller and have better colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 couple of good sites here about the 2 main species commonly kept in N.Z. http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynop ... ster.shtml http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynop ... alis.shtml do ou have food in the water for them such as daphnia etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted November 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2007 I am going to lower the temp if i can, it has been pretty hot down here recently and then will stop feeding, How long should i stop feeding for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted November 21, 2007 Report Share Posted November 21, 2007 I am going to lower the temp if i can, it has been pretty hot down here recently and then will stop feeding, How long should i stop feeding for? if you put the food in the water, only the aquatic phase ones will eat and the terrestrial will follow. do not feed floating food, only sinking. they will be forced to change- just like nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted November 21, 2007 Report Share Posted November 21, 2007 I am going to lower the temp if i can, it has been pretty hot down here recently and then will stop feeding, How long should i stop feeding for? or you can do the method as per living arts link. have not done it myself but I will try it with this years babies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 22, 2007 Report Share Posted November 22, 2007 kept newts for 25 yrs indoors and have never had a problem apart from escaping 20% land, rest water they eat tropical flake food as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted November 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 So i would like to thank everyone for there suggestions I have sorted there tank out and now am feeding in the water. They have taken to the water like ducks (hahahaha). I have been trying different foods, have stopped with the fruit flys cos they always seem to have wings and not wingless like they say on the pottle. I have been getting lots of little insects from my pond which they seem to love. i put about 20 small back strokers in the tank first up a couple of days ago and now there are only two big ones left. It is so cool seeing them in the water as you can now see ther bellies which is awesome. Off to catch more back strokers when i get home. Cheers everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 kept newts for 25 yrs indoors and have never had a problem apart from escaping 20% land, rest water they eat tropical flake food as well do you chill them to start the breeding cycle? I put mine outside but would be easier if they breed without doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 slightly of topic , but wonder where that expression p***ed as a newt comes from ?? 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 slightly of topic , but wonder where that expression p***ed as a newt comes from ?? 8) you just need to look at their little faces with those watery eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 any pics ? 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 this is Tiny standing at the bar call him tiny cause he's minute expression comes from laying suspended in the water not doing much and when on land a little clumsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 do you chill them to start the breeding cycle? I put mine outside but would be easier if they breed without doing that. lengthen lighting hours and flush with coldwater to induce spawning, just enough to lower temp guy i got them off used to float bags of ice in water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 i can see it now , imagine beer in hand ,and cigar in mouth :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 i can see it now , imagine beer in hand ,and cigar in mouth :lol: Orson Wells rides again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott16 Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 wow these look awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 lengthen lighting hours and flush with coldwater to induce spawning, just enough to lower temp guy i got them off used to float bags of ice in water Cheers :lol: , will try that this year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted November 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 wow these look awesome They are little characters! Either sitting there waiting for fod to drop into there mouths or swimming around waiting for food to drop into there mouths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott16 Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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