Pet store Newts?

Question

Got 2 newts yesterday, and their an inch long, orange-redish belly, typical pet store newt, just really small..lol
Their not eating, their in room temp water, but they hardly move, and at times they stayed in one spot for so long he turned greyish. So I took a spoon and poured water on him, or put him in the water..and the water has drops of stress coat in it. The guy at the pet store told us to place some in there due to Chlorine in the water. I know their not active pet's..but I'm thinking this is too abnormal? Their not eating at all, and just stay in one place. Will they eventually eat on their own? I tried to place pellets by them, but no such luck.

Answer 1

Sounds like you got some fire bellied newts. Most of the time they are rather inactive, out can try offering some very small(should be able to fit inbetween its eyes) crickets to stimulate them. Also check the temperature of the water. it should be <70 the like colder water so be sure to check this often. please follow the link for a great caresheet providing that the picture looks like your new pet.

Answer 2

Ok, they haven't eaten and you got him yesterday, well that's pretty normal because they have to trust their surroundings before doing anything. AquaClear is good stuff to remove the chlorine in the water, when I clean out the Red Belly Newts' at work, i don't put cold *** water, i try more with room temperature. They're not usually that active. They will eat on their own, you can give them brine shrimp (frozen but you thaw it out) or brine shrimp flakes you would give to tropical fish. Because their mouth is small, you don't want to go too big. Try feeding them every second day, and if possible remove the food they have no eaten because it's just really going to stink up their habitat.

Answer 3

They stay on land when they don't like the water conditions usually. Your water needs to be very cold, like 70 degrees or less. Check your temps. Room temp is usually warmer. They also need dechlorinated water and do not like moving water--they like it still. Also, you have to give them moving food or hand feed them to make the food look like it is moving. They do not eat pellets despite what store people told you. They need small worms, crickets, or something else alive. I feed mine live crickets and worms with tweezers. Be prepared to hand-feed these guys for a long time! Change the water, keep it cold, and put them in the water, and see what happens. And by the way, they are firebelly newts in case you didn't know the name.

Answer 4

The book I read suggested that yellow bellies on fire bellied newts has to do with the diet of the animal when it is in the early development stages. Both the parents of our young fire belly had red bellies and their only surviving offspring has a red belly.

Answer 5

Go to http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/salamander/a/firebelliednewt_2.htm for information on how to care for your newt