Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just moved in witth my brother and he has a firebelly newt and I'm not sure if his husbandry is correct. I really want to make sure this little guy isn't suffering.

Here's what the set up is:

* 20 gallon tank

* Not very clean. You can see residue at the top of the water.

* Water is cold and appox 2 inches of water.

* Only housing/ decor is some fake leafs.

* Food source is Wardley - Reptile Premium Sticks (says great for amphibians)

Is there anything I can buy to make it better for the little guy?

Heat lamp? Climbing log? UV bulb? Greens? Any help is appreciated.

http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/amphibians/fire-belly-newt.php

Google works wonders.

just curious, by why did you choose a Wester New York website.

First link, haha.

20 gallon is big for them, so good. water should be deeper, at least four inches, but with land. i would do a water change so it's cleaner. newts are not messy at all, so its probally been like a year since the water was changed. as far as the pellets, i have never had very good luck with them, they usually like to eat stuff that is movin, like crix. they can also eat brine shrimp. blood worms, earthworms (small), mealworms, and crushed up superworms, fruit flies, nightcrawlers, snails, guppies (hard for them to catch though)... they don't need any special light, actually, no light is better cause they like it cold- in the sixties idealy. don' t let the temp. go above 80. they always appriciate aquatic plants, they really like to be partially submerged, so any aquatic plant will work for that. good luck!