FireBelly Newts

M

merissa

Guest
Well I'm new to Newts, but have had lots of different kinds of fish. I just recently bought 5 FireBelly Newts, and placed them in a 38 Gallon tank. Now I've heard alot of different ways to setup a newt tank, but can't get a real good discription. Right now I have about 4in of water, with a gravel bottom. Alot of large rocks so they can climb out of the water. the newts are range from 2in-2 1/4in long (with tails). Is this adequate for them? Also should I be using a feeding dish for the bottom of the tank so the Bloodworms dont get in the gravel? I have a feeding cup which they seem to be using, is it nessacary to change to something different? Also they do seem to spend alot of time out of the water. Is this ok?
 
I think your Fire bellies are in the juveniles stages. So they do spend relatively more time on out of water than in water. So for a 4 inches water is enough at this stage. When they reached adulthood, a 8 to 12 inches of water will be better.

I believe you have heard of nitrogen cycle and the tank is cycled already. Since you have a fish hobby background.

I think feeding dish is better than feeding cup. I have heard cases that they will eventually learn to climb in the cup to eat instead. I personally do not use any dish at all. And it has been fine.

Try to get some live plant. Elodea, Java moss, pothos will be good plants for them. And dont use any heater, just in case you haven't heard of newt preferring cool water.

Fire bellies are very hardy. Provided you have some healthy newts to start off with, once they have established, they are very easy to take care of. Good luck and enjoy.
 
If you're worried about bloodworms falling through the gravel, try ultra-fine sand as substrate.
 
Ok, I have two firebelly newts. The set-up you have sounds perfect, but they probably will want deeper water. I don't use any feeding cups or dishes, either.
 
Rozie, I highly recommend feeding dishes, especially if you're using small food that can get trapped between the gravels. The newts can find the food eaiser with a dish, and it also will not allow the little worms to get caught in the gravel and foul the water.
 
you may need to identify the type of newt you have.Over here in England some pet shops tend to call any newt with a red or orange belly a firebelly.Some newts from China and Japan prefer moving water,using a small internal filter give you this.as Ian choi says you should have some pond weed in elodea is a good choice.I never use a feeding dish also.
 
Thanx I have two filters in there right now. the feeding cup seems to be going ok. 3 of the newts are fat, and the other 2 are skiny is this normal?
 
Sometimes females can be (fatter)than males.normally in the breeding season.It may just be the 3 newts have settled in and are feeding quicker than the others,don't worry.
 
Ihave a water temp of like 75 degrees. They seem to be doing just fine. I can't get it any lower then that I took the heater out so what do I do. I know they kind of require a lower temp.
 
Try to use a screen cover instead if you are not already using. Move the tank to lower floor, such as basement of a house. place a fan to blow at the water. Use AC if you have that available.
 
One of my fat newts has just started getting a brown color to it. Is that normal. If not what should I do?
 
They can vary in color from brown to black and sometimes they seem to change a bit. If it looks healthy otherwise, I wouldn't worry.
 
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