new paddle tail newt

[koala]

I just got a new paddle tail yesterday (my first newt) and I just had to show it off! lol Here it is:







I realize these aren't the greatest pictures, but what do you think? Also, does anyone have ideas for a name?

[Ryan]

Will that newt be moved to a tank? The container its in doesn't look very big. Read this: http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Pa...hytriton.shtml It should help

It also looks kind of skinny, you may want to fatten it up a bit.

Have fun with your newt .

[Abrahm]

Your newt does look quite skinny. If you haven't already this would be a great time to read the articles on food items, cycling the aquarium and basic water quality.

I don't know how many gallons of water are in that tub but the more you have in their the easier it will be to maintain good water quality. You will want to do regular partial water changes as the enclosure will not be cycled and your newt is probably already stressed. In that same vein, try to keep the temperature down as much as possible and keep the tank out of high traffic areas, don't handle your newt more than necessary and don't brightly light the tank. Also keep in mind that newts are masters of escape and so you should make sure you keep the lid on that bin so that your new animal doesn't escape.

As for names, I don't know how much I can help you. I prefer odd names, the names of famous scientists or names from the region of origin, which is China in this case.

[koala]

Yes, I realize my newt is skinny right now, I'll do the best I can to fatten him up. Also, that first box was just temporary. I already moved him to a new 12" by 7" tank, and he's doing just great now!

(By the way, I thought of the name Chucky for him. lol)

[Kaysie]

12 inches by 7 inches? That's not going to be the long-term enclosure, is it? These animals get up to 12 inches long themselves. You're going to need at least a 10 gallon tank, preferably a 20 gallon long for an adult paddletail.

[audrey]

I agree that your inclosure is small for long term, but the species section in the caudata culture area says that adult paddletails average 6-7 in. Now I have one that is probably pushing 8 in. but 12 in. seems to me to be quite unusual.

[Kaysie]

My bad. Must have been thinking of something else (probably axolotls on the brain).

Regardless, a 12 inch tank is far too small for anything but maybe a chinese firebelly newt.

[koala]

My newt is very small, only 3 or 4 inches, and he seems to like his little home. I think he's probably fine; his container isn't that small.