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.