Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my boyfriend recently purchased two fire-bellied newts from Petsmart. He lost the receipt, so bringing the ill one back to the store and yelling them isn't an option. This newt is ill not because of our care, but I had a feeling it was ill since we brought it home. We put them in their aquarium (50land/50h2o) and the first thing it did was run to a corner of the land section. It has stayed out of the water the entire time we've had it, and sometimes it looked like it's starting to dry out, so I misted it with dechlorinated water. These are our first newts, but I've done my research and know their basic care.
Anyway, today I noticed there's a white dot on its back, which is new. I also noticed that it's arm is half way there and seems to be deteriorating away. Is there any hope for this newt? I put it in a separate container with just enough water to keep its skin moist. I tried offering blood worms, but it doesn't seem very interested... not surprising. Should I swab the white spot and the deteriorating arm with iodine? Anyway help would be greatly appreciated; thanks in advance!

jen.

Hey there,

Firebellied newts are mostly aquatic except when they're young, so your 50/50 setup isn't the best suited for them. If the one on land is a young little eft then it may be a year or so until he goes to water. The limb sounds like it's from too high of temperatures...how hot are you keeping it? The white spot I'm unsure of. Someone else on here or cauadata.org may be able to answer it. I think some sort of antiseptic would work on both, but check with other, more knowledgable people. As for food, try pieces of chopped up earthworm, crickets, fruit flies, white worms, live tubifex worms...any variety of live foods.

Go to http://www.caudata.org/caudatecentral/ and read up the caresheet. I think youprobably have cynops oreintalis.

>>Hi, my boyfriend recently purchased two fire-bellied newts from Petsmart. He lost the receipt, so bringing the ill one back to the store and yelling them isn't an option. This newt is ill not because of our care, but I had a feeling it was ill since we brought it home. We put them in their aquarium (50land/50h2o) and the first thing it did was run to a corner of the land section. It has stayed out of the water the entire time we've had it, and sometimes it looked like it's starting to dry out, so I misted it with dechlorinated water. These are our first newts, but I've done my research and know their basic care.
>>Anyway, today I noticed there's a white dot on its back, which is new. I also noticed that it's arm is half way there and seems to be deteriorating away. Is there any hope for this newt? I put it in a separate container with just enough water to keep its skin moist. I tried offering blood worms, but it doesn't seem very interested... not surprising. Should I swab the white spot and the deteriorating arm with iodine? Anyway help would be greatly appreciated; thanks in advance!
>>
>>jen.

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Hope my opinions help,
Rob