Help? Dying fire-belly newt...

[CopperNightShade]

I stopped by the pet store today to grab some new branches for my carpet python cage and noticed they had a dead fire belly newt floating in one of their tanks. I asked if I could take it home, because I am trying to teach myself some anatomy and ya don't come across "donations" very often. They let me take the little bugger home, and it wasn't until I arrived that I realized my new friend was still clinging to life.

Well, now I feel I owe him a fighting chance. Any tips on how to keep him alive til I can get him to the vet on Friday?

[EchoPyrex]

Many pet stores do not keep newts in proper conditions. It MAY be extremely stressed out.

I'm assuming you have it in a glass aquarium with some sort of object that acts as land so it can crawl out.

Now, assuming you have the basics down, the rest of what I say may or may not help. The little guy could be heading out no matter what you do or how much effort you put into it.

1) Water needs to be dechlorinated (Using an aquarium dechlorinator)
2) Filtration needs to be present but must not make a large current. The less of a current the better.
3) Water temperature needs to be in the low 70's F or high 60's F (Below 74 F or 75 F). They prefer the higher 60's though.

These are the main things pet stores get wrong.


Here are some links for Fire Belly Newt care sheets. Stick to these and hope for the best.

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/amp...are-sheet.html

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/salam...liednewt_2.htm

http://firebelliednewts.blogspot.com/

Remember it may not eat or go in the water much while it is sick or stressed out. Let me know if you need anymore help. Good luck and hopefully it gets better. Keep us posted.

[CopperNightShade]

Many pet stores do not keep newts in proper conditions. It MAY be extremely stressed out.

I'm assuming you have it in a glass aquarium with some sort of object that acts as land so it can crawl out.

Now, assuming you have the basics down, the rest of what I say may or may not help. The little guy could be heading out no matter what you do or how much effort you put into it.

1) Water needs to be dechlorinated (Using an aquarium dechlorinator)
2) Filtration needs to be present but must not make a large current. The less of a current the better.
3) Water temperature needs to be in the low 70's F or high 60's F (Below 74 F or 75 F). They prefer the higher 60's though.

These are the main things pet stores get wrong.


Here are some links for Fire Belly Newt care sheets. Stick to these and hope for the best.

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/amp...are-sheet.html

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/salam...liednewt_2.htm

http://firebelliednewts.blogspot.com/

Remember it may not eat or go in the water much while it is sick or stressed out. Let me know if you need anymore help. Good luck and hopefully it gets better. Keep us posted.

I currently have it in a large critter keeper with declorinated water and a marble/paper towel land mass on one side. Currently the temp is 72, though I could probably drop that down a bit.

I don't have a filter in it... I can grab that on my way home. Now I put him in the water, because I didn't want him to dry out. Should I park him up on the "land" just at the water's edge?

Thank you so much for your help - I will keep u posted.

[CopperNightShade]

I am afraid he didn't make it through the day. Thanks anyway for your help.

[alkibp]

I am afraid he didn't make it through the day. Thanks anyway for your help.

sorry the poor thing died. at least you tried.

[CopperNightShade]

sorry the poor thing died. at least you tried.

Thanks.