Hi!
I rescued a newt from a neighbor and need some advice on rehabilitating it.
They had purchased it from a pet store which sold it as a paddle-tailed newt (however, I believe it is a Chinese fire-bellied newt), and they had it for two months but claimed they could never find anything it would eat. They got fed up with it and offered it to me when they found out I kept newts.
The problem I'm having with it is that I can't seem to get it to eat, either.
He is currently housed in an 8 gallon, well-planted tank with large gravel. The water is filtered with minimal current and is kept at a temperature around 68-70 degrees. I have tested the water quality, and it is safe.
Sammy (the newt) is about two and a quarter inches long and is too skinny (why I'm concerned about the lack of eating). He is primarily terrestrial and almost never completely enters the water. Otherwise, he is fairly "newt-active" (climbing the rocks, plants, and walls) and is very responsive to people near the aquarium.
I've tried to feed him a number of different foods including, frozen and dried blood worms, brine shimp, pellets, etc. but he won't eat any of them. I've placed the food near him and left it there for hours, but he still won't even touch it.
I haven't been able to find anyplace in my area to buy live blood worms, and all other live foods I've found are very large.
Please let me know of any suggestions you might have! I've had him for a few weeks now and am running out of ideas.
Thanks! 
