Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what is an appropriate aquarium for a Hellbender, and where can i find a care sheet?
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1 Albino Leopard Gecko- Corona Light

Hi there:

Hellbenders suffer from habitat loss in the wild, and, depending on where you find one, you may need some type of a permit. The Ozark hellbender is the more common species. Hellbenders need a very strong current. It brings oxygen through their gills, as well as brings food to them. A hellbender is a large species related to the Asian giant salamanders. Therefor, it will need a large aquarium. A 50 gallon with a sturdy stand works well for a large specimen. Provide water plants for it to hide in, as well as many flat rocks, such as rainbow slate. Fish make poor companions for this species- These engulf just about anything. Good luck finding one of these Awesome herps!
DAVE

Hellbenders do not have gills as adults. What should have been said is that they depend heavily on cutaneous respiration and they need a strong current to disrupt the boundary layer of oxygen poor water that surrounds them otherwise.

I also agree with the others that hellbenders should be left in the wild, as there are many other captive bred aquatic salamanders that are available.
click here for the link

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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

There was recently a discussion about this here:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/13/13179.html
If you read the whole thing, there are some fairly specific comments about tank size requirements. I think the reason you will not find a caresheet is that taking them from the wild is illegal in most places. Even if legal, is it ethical? Having a caresheet might encourage people to take them from the wild as pets.