Spanish Ribbed Newt refusing food?
 

I've had my leucistic spanish ribbed newt for around 6 months with no issues, however, he has begun refusing his food of pellets over the last few weeks. He used to eat with gusto, and come directly to the spot where I fed him every time he heard food hit the water. Now he seems more interested in hanging out behind the sponge filter. Any suggestions on how to get his appetite back?

I've haven't kept these in some years but my suggestion would be first, try another type of food like half inch crickets. Freshly killed. Should be able to locate by smell and hopefully the smell of a fresh dead bug will get his attention. If that doesn't work maybe move his tank to the coolest place in your home. Newts are very temperature sensitive.

Was this ever resolved? If not... try doing a deep clean on the enclosure or tub... and adding a few indian almond leafs in it. Every now and then that helps alot... especially if you drop the temps in the water a good bit... gets them feeling frisky again!

Does he have appropriate hides? If he's always behind the the filter, he may not feel secure enough to feed.

Try various food sources aside from pellets. Bloodworms, blackworms, cut-up nightcrawlers, brine shrimp, etc.

The ribbed newts I've worked with were mostly fed bloodworms or tubifex.