Roho
New member
I'm going to be getting a Chinese Fire Bellied Newt (Cynops orientalis) in January, or later this spring. This will be my first newt, but I do have herp experience (Leopard Geckos, Crested Gecko, and very soon a Bearded Dragon) so I'm not totally new at this.
I just have a few questions about C. orientalis
1. I'm not planning on breeding or anything, so does sex matter at all? I believe females get bigger so I think I'd like a female, but I don't really care. Do either have a longer lifespan, brighter colors, or something like that?
2. Will a 10 gallon be a good enclosure for the newt for life? Will eat be too big for a young one or will it be fine?
3. I know newts are not a handleable animal meant for playing with, but when I pick it up to clean its cage and stuff, is it okay to just pick it up for a couple seconds, or is it just too stressful?
4. Will tubifex worms, mealworms, daphnia, Phoenix worms, bloodworms, and feeder guppies all together be a good diet? Do I need to supplement the food with calcium or something?
5. How often do you suggest I do a water change? And how much (10%, 25%, 33%, 50%, etc.) water should I change?
6. Are they okay with plastic plants. I don't really like live plants in newt tanks, for some reason I just think it looks weird. :crazy: I'm planning on having Exo Terra Floating Water Lettuce, Zilla Aquatic Plants, and Exo Terra Hanging Ampamallo/Ficus.
7. Will a turtle dock and some floating/ground/hanging plants be enough land for a FBN? Or should I get more land (I found this really cool bridge-thing at PetSmart)? Or will to much land clog up their swimming space?
8. Is it okay to buy a newt from a quality chain pet store. The Pet Supplies "Plus" near me is really good. I am friends with all the employees (and the manager) and I know they do a good job of taking care of all their animals. The newts are housed in large enclosures with 80% water and 20% land and all look healthy and aler. I know that buying from pet stores is frowned upon by many reptile/amphibian owners, so do you guys think it would be okay to buy from PSP?
9. Do they need any lighting at all? The room the newt will be in is well-lit during the day and it will have a definite 12 hour day/night cycle. Does it need any UV or anything?
10. Are Fire Bellied Newts diurnal or nocturnal. I'm pretty sure they are nocturnal, but I just wanted to double check.
I think that is it for now, but I'm sure there will be more questions to come! :talker:
I just have a few questions about C. orientalis
1. I'm not planning on breeding or anything, so does sex matter at all? I believe females get bigger so I think I'd like a female, but I don't really care. Do either have a longer lifespan, brighter colors, or something like that?
2. Will a 10 gallon be a good enclosure for the newt for life? Will eat be too big for a young one or will it be fine?
3. I know newts are not a handleable animal meant for playing with, but when I pick it up to clean its cage and stuff, is it okay to just pick it up for a couple seconds, or is it just too stressful?
4. Will tubifex worms, mealworms, daphnia, Phoenix worms, bloodworms, and feeder guppies all together be a good diet? Do I need to supplement the food with calcium or something?
5. How often do you suggest I do a water change? And how much (10%, 25%, 33%, 50%, etc.) water should I change?
6. Are they okay with plastic plants. I don't really like live plants in newt tanks, for some reason I just think it looks weird. :crazy: I'm planning on having Exo Terra Floating Water Lettuce, Zilla Aquatic Plants, and Exo Terra Hanging Ampamallo/Ficus.
7. Will a turtle dock and some floating/ground/hanging plants be enough land for a FBN? Or should I get more land (I found this really cool bridge-thing at PetSmart)? Or will to much land clog up their swimming space?
8. Is it okay to buy a newt from a quality chain pet store. The Pet Supplies "Plus" near me is really good. I am friends with all the employees (and the manager) and I know they do a good job of taking care of all their animals. The newts are housed in large enclosures with 80% water and 20% land and all look healthy and aler. I know that buying from pet stores is frowned upon by many reptile/amphibian owners, so do you guys think it would be okay to buy from PSP?
9. Do they need any lighting at all? The room the newt will be in is well-lit during the day and it will have a definite 12 hour day/night cycle. Does it need any UV or anything?
10. Are Fire Bellied Newts diurnal or nocturnal. I'm pretty sure they are nocturnal, but I just wanted to double check.
I think that is it for now, but I'm sure there will be more questions to come! :talker: