they will scavange the bottom, espically if they see it fall, though i tend to offer food from forceps at or near the surface. brine shrimp for frogs is probaly the same as for newts, maybe with larger pieces though, but not exactly sure. you may want to try a varied diet, such as small live crickets, earthworms, redworms, blackworms, waxworms, pheniox worms, flies, mealworms, fresh water fish (danios, rosie reds, tetras), etc. it is healthier for your newt then just brine shrimp. you can also get frozen bloodworms if you are not liking the live angle.