Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What other animals can you put in a tank with Oregon Newts? My sister's freind have fire belly toads/frogs (I don't remember).

Mixing species is generally a bad idea. Herps are solitary animals that do not like the company of others (as other herps are seen as predators and competitors for food, warmth, hiding places and mates), and having a mixed species tank does them harm and no benefit.

Fire-bellied toads/frogs, Bombina sp. (usually Bombina orientalis, the species that is bright green with a red belly and black splotching) are quite toxic, and many species of newt produce their own toxins, as well. Forcing these species into an enclosure together is unwise.

Additionally, you're talking about species that come from different parts of the world. Each species has their own indigenous bacteria and other microorganisms that they have a certain immunity to, but species from another country will not. This is similar to when you travel to another country and catch some kine of small sickness that only travellers get (like "traveller's flu" or diarrhea).

Amphibians are also pretty terrible at identifying food when they're in feeding mode, and bitten off hands, feet or entire legs is not uncommon when you're keeping more than one amphibian together, much less different species.

Do your newts a favour and keep them to their own species. They will live much happier, healthier, longer lives

Christina Miller, AHT
www.herptiles.net

So I'm guessing that it is not a good thing

Oops, didn't finish. I'm guessing that it is not a good thing that the pet store had rough skinned newts with fire belly newts. They told us it was fine, so my sister got a fire belly which refused to eat, and I got the Rough skinned newt which is in perfect health (as far as I know)

Pet stores, other people including some very reputable people, and me all mix different species of amphibians. It is "looked down upon" by some, but you can choose to do whatever you want. I have not had any problems with mixing species.

What are some of the species that you have mixed and had no problems with?

Firebelly toads with newts. Several different species of toad with large ranids like leopard frogs. Green tree frogs and spring peepers and grey treefrogs. Big eyed tree frogs with clown tree frogs. Tiger salamanders and leopard frogs. And others. Now I am not addressing the common sense issue. If you don't have any then I can't help you. This means that obviously you won't mix a small salamander with a large leopard frog, or a large grey treefrog or green tree frog with small spring peepers. Size should be in some range where you as the keeper feel it is safe.

Sounds like you know what you're doing. And I agree, don't generally mix big with small.

Regardless, you still should not be mixing amphibians, especially firebelly toads and newts. I have heard horror stories about the toads biting limbs off of newts, despite the similar size. If you want to keep your animals healthy, you will not mix species. I would not risk it.

Yeah firebelly toads can be agressive sometimes, and that is much more of a worry than their toxins in a mixed terrarium.

n/t

none, rough skinned newts are toxic and so are fire bellied toads, never put FBT with anything else, some people will argue, but it's a proven fact they are TOXIC.

Its a proven fact that ALL toads, ALL salamanders, and MOST frogs are toxic! I thought everyone knew that?

i nver said they wern't, just some species are certainly more toxic than others, I thought everyone knew that!

I knew it. And I have Bufo toads which are supposedly more toxic even that Bombina toads, and I have used them in mixed terrariums.

good for you, i suppose you know everything then. so why don't you take a poll, weather to put FBT w/ other herps.

Surely most people, will say that mixing any two species whether it be amphibians, reptiles, or mammals will say that it isn't a good idea. That doesn't mean that it is impossible or cannot be done.

When using FBT in a mixed terrarium I am way more concerned about them biting off newts tails or frogs fingers than I am about their toxicity. I refresh the water in most of my tanks once or twice a wekk. That is plenty enough to keep the dissolved toxins at such low levels that they are basically too diluted to do anything.

again, i'm not saying it can't be done, but i think it should be left for zoos and experts. and obviously ur not cause you think FBN are like fish.

Goof!

by who?