I have a tank...now I need a newt. What kind?

[^imp^]

Ok, so I have a tank with the following specs:

- 20 gallon (high) with about 1/4 land area.
- contains about 8 gallons of swimming space
- also includes a 5 gallon sump for filtration and increased water volume
- well-planted
- high lighting (65w PC); lots of cover provided by driftwood and emersed growth
- eco-complete aquatic substrate
- plenty of current; set up as a river tank
- there are calm areas, shallow areas, emerging driftwood
- currently the home of several small shrimp and 6 white cloud minnows
- chilled, highest temp over the summer was about 72 degrees (rare occasions)
- contains an elaborate waterfall system
- tank has been running for about a year but just underwent a major overhaul
- I fertilize the plants (NPK, micros, some iron, root tabs)

I'll try to post a picture this weekend. I built this tank with p. chinensis in mind. I want to know what you guys think before I go out and try to locate one.

Thanks. http://www.caudata.org/forum/clipart/happy.gif

^iMp^

[william]

i don't know about p.chinensis but the tank would be good for a lot of species: cynops or triturus would be my choices

[mike_g]

Triturus are generallly pond-breeding species, though I believe some may breed in slow-moving parts of streams where it has pooled up. I don't think they would be a good candidate mainly due to the current (Triturus and 'plenty of current' in my mind are not a good mixture). Perhaps a native species would be a better choice, Eurycea bislineata/cirrigera would probably do well in there, though you may almost never see them. Gyrinophilus and Desmognathus would also probably do well. Hope that helps.
~Mike