Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey there, I've got a Spiny eel (10inches) and a plecostomus (6 inches) in a tank, no other animals in there right now, there's a large log already in the tank for the pleco to suck on, a heavy filter, and a number of hiding places for the eel, the water temp is a constant 75*F, and there is about one teaspoon of salt to every five gallons.

I just took over the care of a 4inch long paddletail newt (Pachytriton labiatus) and was curious if he would be able to go into this tank with the eel. My main question is if anyone has ever had a newt and a larger eel before together. The other issue is if the temp is to high for the newt and if the salt will bother him?

The newt should be in a separate tank. Pachytritons, like the vast majority of caudates, prefer cooler temps than most tropical fish. As you stated the added salt may be a problem as well. Another factor is aggressiveness. I know very little about spiney eels however paddletailed newts are very aggressive and will often try to eat anything that moves. Granted that it would not be able to swallow a 10 inch eel but that may not stop it from trying.
Chip

Thanks for the advice, aside from the water issues if the newt will eat anything that it comes across I'm sure my eel will not like such an idea and turn on him within a few seconds. The only other tank I have has baby sword tails so I'm going to assume by what you said that they would not do well with him around them.

So, does anyone have an idea then as to the size of tank a newt like that will be happy in? I have a 20 gallon long at the house, should that be big enough for him or would something a little bigger be better?

When it comes to caging, bigger is always better. However, a 20L is ample room for a single Pachytriton (keep these guys singly....they are quite territorial). They prefer cool water temps (say 55-65 degree range) so a chiller may be useful if you have the money. Alternatively, you could place the tank in a cool room, or add some cool water daily (much cheaper options). They are aggressive feeders, and a variety of live foods such as small crickets, blackworms, bloodworms, etc (or frozen if the newt will take them) make for a good diet for them. The salt you mentioned earlier--beneficial in small amounts if the water in your area is very hard, it helps with the whole osmotic balance thing....but if pH and hardness fall in the acceptable range for most fish I would avoid salt altogether--wouldn't want to make a hypertonic solution for him to live in! Bleh...enough water chemistry, good luck with the newts!

Troy

Thanks much, I'll go pick up the bigger 30 gallon then for him tomorrow from the storage unit and set that up for him, look into getting a chiller as you said. To this point I never had a cold water animal so that's good to know that there even is such a thing as a chiller.

And sorry if I sound unknowing, I do know quite a bit about swordtails and eels but when it comes to newts... you can clearly see I don't.

I only have this little guy because the owner was simply going to let him go and the next person in line was a six year old with a five gallon tank.

Thanks much for the help.

yeah, probally not the best idea, they need water with a neutral pH, and water temps in the 60's. plus they need at least 20% land. plus they are mildly toxic and could harm your other stuff.