Chinese/Jap Firebelly newt...feeding?

[vo1umeone]

So, I'm not sure if newts could qualify as 'fish', but there are some baby guppies in the tank, so it's not too off topic. I was just curious if anyone here could help me, and you guys are pretty reliable.
I've recently bought a "firebelly newt". I'm not sure if it's considered a Cynops orientalis or a Cynops pyrrhogaster (Chinese or Japanese). Either way, mister newt enjoys sitting on the ground part of his home in the moss, and I'm kind of afraid that he might be getting too dry. At the pet store, he seemed to sit in the water more.
Anyways, I've had him for about three or four days now, and I haven't seen him eat once. I'm giving him 'Newt Bites'. I've tried setting it in front of him on the ground, in the water, even sticking it right in his face, because I'm worried that he's not eating. He doesn't seem to touch his food. I also tried giving him a small piece of living worm (from the ground), but he ignored it.
Now, I've noticed that he could possible be shedding some skin...could his appetite have to do with this?
I'm just afraid he'll starve- what else could I feed him (he's been fed the same 'Newt Bite' food at my LPS before I got him), and I don't know how to feed him.

 

[misterking]

That's very odd, newts should definitely not shed skin. What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and pH would be helpful too.

I fed mine frozen bloodworm which he used to ravage (before he found an escape hole and dried up under the sofa...). However if any of the above are beyond acceptable levels, just like fish it can suffer poisoning and burns.

It would certainly explain why he's seemingly avoiding the water..

 

[OrangeCones]

How warm is the water the newt lives in? They like things cooler than a tropical fish aquarium (more like a goldfish temperature mid-high 60s instead of guppy temps of mid-high 70s). If its too warm, it tends to make them sluggish and dull.

Shedding also puts them off their food a bit. With the stress of a new home plus shedding, he may not eat. Was he plump when you go him? If so, continue to offer food (live or frozen bloodworms usually perk up their appetite) daily. If he was thin when you got him, he may be sick and sadly, they don't take too well to medications once they are thin.

Here is a link that may be helpful: http://reptilesamphibians.suite101.com/article.cfm/feeding_housing_caring_for_fire_belly_newts


Post a pic when he gets better to help identify which one you have.

Good luck!

 

[achase]

before he found an escape hole and dried up under the sofa...

Not to state the obvious but that really sucks! I can't imagine that was pretty to find.

 

[misterking]

Well he was still alive when I found him, just, it took hours. He was extremely dry though not completely, I immediately put him on his old perching spot which was half in/half out of the water and unfortunately he was dead within the hour.

I'll have a proper set-up for them one day, I loved my newt!