Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I am considering purchasing my first newt--a firebelly newt (Japanese variety) or eastern spotted newt--for a paludarium I've built from a 20 gallon (high) tank. About 2/3 of the tank is water, about 4 to 8 inches deep--mostly the latter. The rest of the tank is land with a small pool and trickling waterfall. The entire tank (both land and water) is well planted. There is about 10 gallons of water in the tank.

Anyway, I am hoping to house two firebelly newts in the tank. Are there any species of fish that would work well in a cool-water tank with the firebellies? I was thinking minnows, guppies, and zebras...but I am not exactly a expert on cool water fishes. Any suggestions? I'm not hard set on having fish in the tank with the newts, so feel free to tell me to forget about it if you think the newts and/or fish would be put at risk.

Also, any tips you have regarding newts would be great. I've been pouring over the FAQs and caresheets for a few weeks now, but I still don't feel like I know everything on the topic. And if anyone has a species recommendation for my setup, feel free to voice your opinion.

Thanks in advance,

^iMp^

Hi there,

Sounds like a nice setup. You could put Zebra Danios, white cloud mountian minnows and ghost shrimp in the water part, but they may cause trouble should you ever intend to breed your pets.

As for the actual newt, it would seem like a waste to put a species like firebelly which are almost completly aquatic when they get older. It may do you well to have a species that will take advantage of both areas. My personal thoughts are Taricha granulosa. Very hardy animal, very great pet, and more terrestrial then the other two. I'm not sure if there could be a better species...maybe other people will know. I'm sure some species of crested newts may be more terrestrial.

Here is my advice: Keep them cool (below 68) keep them fed (every 2 or 3 days) and keep them clean (remove uneaten food right away and a 10% water change every two weeks). If you do that then you'll have no problems with them. You've read all the caresheets toos o you have all of that knowledge to apply to it as well.

Good luck,
Rob

>>Hello all,
>>
>>I am considering purchasing my first newt--a firebelly newt (Japanese variety) or eastern spotted newt--for a paludarium I've built from a 20 gallon (high) tank. About 2/3 of the tank is water, about 4 to 8 inches deep--mostly the latter. The rest of the tank is land with a small pool and trickling waterfall. The entire tank (both land and water) is well planted. There is about 10 gallons of water in the tank.
>>
>>Anyway, I am hoping to house two firebelly newts in the tank. Are there any species of fish that would work well in a cool-water tank with the firebellies? I was thinking minnows, guppies, and zebras...but I am not exactly a expert on cool water fishes. Any suggestions? I'm not hard set on having fish in the tank with the newts, so feel free to tell me to forget about it if you think the newts and/or fish would be put at risk.
>>
>>Also, any tips you have regarding newts would be great. I've been pouring over the FAQs and caresheets for a few weeks now, but I still don't feel like I know everything on the topic. And if anyone has a species recommendation for my setup, feel free to voice your opinion.
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>
>>^iMp^

Thanks for the advice and recommendation.

Two concerns:

1.) Do rough-skinned newts require a hideout/burrow on the land portion of the tank? Actually, I guess my question should be stated as: Do rough-skinned newts LIKE a hideout?

2.) Rough-skinned newts require lower temperatures than do japanese firebellies. If I am too poor to afford a water chiller, are icecubes (made from newt-safe water) a suitable method of lowering the water temp? I can easily add them to the waterfall pool so they don't float around the entire tank...

If this is not suitable, I can probably convince my wife that I need a water chiller.

Anyway, thank you for your help. I'm feeling much more confident about owning and properly caring for newts.

^iMp^

Rough skinned newts don't require a hideout or burrow. You could put one there for them if you'd like, but I kept mine completely aquaitc. They became so tame they would eat from my hand.

I don't know where you've read the rough skinned newts require lower temperatures. I would say they require about the same. Icecubes should work fine (or frozen water bottles). Try to keep them away from windows, in the basement and as close to the ground (or right on the ground if possible) and that will cool the tnak alot. Also use an airpump filter instead of a mechanical one, and that will help keep the temperature lower as well.

Sorry for the delay in my response, I didn't notice your additional questions. Please email me if you need anymore help.

Rob
>>Thanks for the advice and recommendation.
>>
>>Two concerns:
>>
>>1.) Do rough-skinned newts require a hideout/burrow on the land portion of the tank? Actually, I guess my question should be stated as: Do rough-skinned newts LIKE a hideout?
>>
>>2.) Rough-skinned newts require lower temperatures than do japanese firebellies. If I am too poor to afford a water chiller, are icecubes (made from newt-safe water) a suitable method of lowering the water temp? I can easily add them to the waterfall pool so they don't float around the entire tank...
>>
>>If this is not suitable, I can probably convince my wife that I need a water chiller.
>>
>>Anyway, thank you for your help. I'm feeling much more confident about owning and properly caring for newts.
>>
>>^iMp^
-----
Hope my opinions help,
Rob

i sucessfully kept chinese mountain minnows (white clouds) with my japanese fire-bellied newts for a couple of years and the odd glass shrimp or two. as a general rule newts dont like fish so i recommend keeping only 3 or 4 rather than the 11 or so i initally threw into my tank. slowly but surely the fish died off for an unknown reason (possible the fact that the fish are unable to sleep on the bottom due to newt predatation stress' them out). as soon as the fish all died the newts finally started to lay eggs - they wont if ther are fish. keep in mind also that newts like still water - so make sure your waterfall is no more than a tiny trickle and if you use a power filter make sure it doesn't create a strong or even mild current.