Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What do I do? My son brought home 2 rough-skinned newts from a forest around here (Western Washington). I've read online a lot about these things but they still puzzle me to pieces!

First of all, I learned they're the most toxic newts known to man. Peachy. Then, I leaned they're the most aquatic of all the newt species, at least around here. They're also nocturnal.

I put together a 15-gallon tank with both land and water - mostly water. Hiding places are abundant. Boy, do they use them!

Here's my question ... why do they keep shedding their skin? I must have found 5 empty newt skins in there in the past week! We've had them a week.

Another question ... if they're nocturnal, how do I know they're eating? I've tried earthworms, mealworms, pill bugs ... what else do I try? They're gonna eat in the water, according to their natural history.

Or, honestly, is it best I set them free in a local wetlands? I can rig up the tank for something else - like something raised in captivity that will actually enjoy the tank!

I don't have any filtration, but do daily (approx) 30% water changes 'til we figure out if we're going to keep them.

Thank you so much for your consideration of my yammerings!

Cheers!

2roughs

First, if you can release them into the exact spot you got them (not just any spot, but the exact same area you got them), that would be best. Then find someone who has captive bred animals.

However, if you plan on keeping them, So far, you're off to a good start. a 15gal with mostly water's good.

They shed their skin because they're stressed from captivity and probably water quality. Do you have a water test kit? I suggest getting one, and testing daily (or semi-daily, depending on how much water you have) for nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia. You also need to dechlorinate the water. Dechlorinator, such as AmQuel, AmmoLock, StressCoat, or ACE can be purchased at any pet shop. You need to dechlorinate the water EVERY time you change it, before you put it in the tank.

They're only toxic to humans if you eat one. Don't eat them. Wash your hands after touching them (refrain from touching them as much as possible) and don't handle them with any open skin whatsoever.

Hand feed them. I have a few that are recently acquired, but they already recognize me as 'bringer of food'. Get a pair of tweezers, or chopsticks, and hold little bits of chopped earthworm (1-2" for adult newts) in front of them and wiggle a little. Be careful not to actually hit them with the worm, as this will startle them.

Thank you so much! I have test kits coming out of my ears! I have an oranda - a nice, fat, messy goldfish - so I'm really tuned into nitrates/ites and ammonia. I worry a bit about water temperature, however.

Do you think I ought to filter the water somehow, or aerate it with a stone?

I have a couple of aquatic plants in there. They love to hide under them.

Thanks so much! I'm going to go dig up some worms ...

tworoughs ... Sir Isaac and Fig (yeah, pretty bad, eh?)

You don't necessarily need filtration, especially with aquatic plants (Live, I'm assuming). I use an airstone, but that's just to keep the top of the water from getting filmy. As long as you stay on top of water changes, you don't need filtration. But if you plan on keeping them long-term, I would get some type of filter. Just to make it easier on you. As once you add a filter, and the tank cycles, then you only have to do a 20% water change a week. I personally like the overhang filters, but these need to 'bounce off' something in order to not disturb the water too much. Or you can use an internal filter (I like Duetto personally).

If you have any more questions, just let me know.

We just moved our happy newts to a nice, quieter corner of the room.

I'm going to re-do their tank. Some dude recommended a bark as substrate and it's leaving the water brown and gunky looking.

Do you have a recommendation on how deep do they like their water? I guess I'm just used to biofilters, which require the water level to be at a certain height, right? I happen to have an extra one upstairs. It's a Penguin 120 or something like that - for up to 20 gallons. I filter my goldfish tank with a 170.

What do you think about me deepening the water a bit? They stay in the water nearly 100% of the time. And, do you think they'd be OK with the Penguin's "waterfall" coming down a rock or two?

Thanks again.

My water's about 6 inches deep (in a 20long aquarium), maybe 8 gallons or so. I do plan on moving the 3 of them into a 40long when 2 get out of quarantine. I use natural colored little gravel. I use an overhang filter, but I use a baffle made of Legos. If yours fell on a rock or two, and didn't disturb the water a whole lot, it would be great.

It is illegal in the state of Washington to collect or keep any native wildlife without a scientific research permit. This law encompasses all native species of reptiles and amphibians. Unfortunately these permits are not given to hobbyists or other citizens. To be compliant with the law your newts must be released at the location they were found immediately. Please keep weather and time of day in mind and release them safely. You may reference the Revised Code of Washington (reference RCW 77-16-120) or call the WDFW at 360-902-2936 for more information.

The collection of, or captive holding of native wildlife, including all native reptiles and amphibians, is illegal in the State of Washington.
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Randy
Firehouse Herps