Care Sheet for Salamanders, NewtsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 0 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 03/16/2006 |
Main Category: | Aquatic/Land |
Sub Category: | Salamanders, Newts |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Elle |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Japanese fire bellied newts |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Fire bellied toads |
Care Sheet Information: | Accommodation: It is best to provide a spacious tank at least 18 x 12 inches for 1 or 2 newts. Divide this up into 1/3 land and 2/3 water, this can be done using a glass or perspex divide or by using rocks that are above water level to create land. I have found sand to be ideal substrate as it is easy to clean (dirt just stays on the top) and my newts have never shown any interest in eating it. Live or artificial plants can be used to make the tank more interesting to look at, and can also be extra resting spots for the newts. the newts prefer cool temperatures so do not provide a heater. An ordinary aquarium tube (although not necessary) can be used for lighting as long as it is out of the newts reach. If you divide the land area using a barrier the best substrate to use is gravel as soil will dirty the water section quickly. Providing a filter is always beneficial, just make sure it is not to powerful as they seem to get stressed if they cannot get out of the flow. Change all the water weekly to prevent a build up of wastes, but remember to rinse your filter media (foam etc) in the water you had in the tank to prevent killing the beneficial bacteria (never rinse it under the tap).
My newts and their home: I currently have just 2 fire bellied newts. They live with a fire bellied toad and a small shoal of zebra and leopard Danios. Although I have mixed species they never bother each other and have been together for 2 years. They all live in a homemade Viv which is a converted small cupboard unit (30 x 16 inches). The water and land has been divided using a perspex barrier and their home incorporates live terrestrial and aquatic plants. They have a lamp that stays on for 10 hours each day (it is on a timer) and no heating. There are some rocks for climbing on and several branches that are there to just look nice. The back and side walls of their home are covered with coconut matting (from a hanging basket liner) which is time consuming to create but looks effective. I spray the land area twice weekly with a plant spray.
Social activity: I have found these newts to be far more active when kept in groups than when kept singly. They do not tend to fight when kept together (however I have not bred them).
Diet: These newts and frogs will eat pellets (reptomin) once accustomed to them. I used tweezers and move the pellets around as if they were live insects. They love frozen (defrosted) bloodworm, live daphnia, wax worms, meal worms and tiny crickets. They also seem to enjoy the dried terrapin food mixes which contain shrimp etc fed in the same manner as the pellets. I feed them 3 times a week depending on how hungry they are (some days they don’t seem to want food).
Handling: I don’t recommend that these animals are handled regularly as it is not good for their delicate skin. If they do need to be handled however, wet your hands first then lift them very carefully. Make sure you cup your hands of handling the frogs as they move quickly. an aquarium net can also be used for handling. Ensure you have no cuts on your hands as their skin toxins can irritate (although I have never experienced this myself).
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