Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a chinese fire bellied newt. I have him in a 10 gallon planted aquarium with filter. There is also a flat rock that is out of the water. This is where he spends most of the time. I have never seen him swimming or floating in the water. He just stays on land. I've had him for about 2 months and hes eatin well. He just doesnt swim. I have no heat source for him because the temperature in the house is just right around 68 to 78 always. Should i heat the water? Maybe i should put a basking light over the flat rock? Also, would it be ok to mix and underwater dwarf frog in there sice he doesnt even go in the water. Probally not, but i was j/w. Thanks for the help.

'chris

Chinese Firebelly Newts prefer colder water, so do not heat the water in the tank. The colder water also precludes the keeping of any tropical species of aquatic frog or fish. It is common for some newts to spend months on land and then suddenly become aquatic. If you wish to accelerate the process, remove the rock you have in the tank. An aquatic newt will of course have to be fed differently (e.g. live bloodworms), although more easily.

Ya, I am so glad you got good information. No heating the water, at all, please. No mixing any toher species too. About him staying on the land, he might just be a juvie, or he still might be suffering from post petstore syndrom. I highly suggest going here:

www.caudata.org

Great place, and all your info. Good luck!!
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Mark B.