Best species for a starting in the hobby

I've been thinking about buying a tiger salamander from my pet shop for $40 USD and I have never had an amphibian before. Is this a good starter salamander or naught.:ufo:

Welcome :happy:
this type of pet need cold temperature (ideal range 18C-22C)
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tiger salamander

For me the best is the pleurodeles waltl,
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Pleurodeles waltl

they are totally acquatic, and they can withstand high temperatures (not over 30C) for short period :ufo:

I wonder how they keep them cool in my pet store?

Also just wondering if you can keep a spanish ribbed newt with fish

No, you shouldn't. Spanish ribbed newts eat anything they can, even if it can't fit in its mouth. Either that, or the fish will out-compete the newt for food

Tiger salamanders are illegal in California! Do NOT buy one, it would be violating state laws.

A good aquatic starter newt would be Pleurodeles waltl( Spanish Ribbed Newt) as stated above, or fire-belly newts Hypselotriton orientalis).

A good terrestrial starter salamander is hard to come across in California as the usual recommendation is a tiger salamander. However, you could try Salamandra salamandra, or Fire salamander, but you must be able to keep them really cool; below 72º F.

All salamanders/newts have to be kept below 75º F with a few exceptions. Good luck finding a starter salamander or newt!

I second what Advyth said. All Ambystoma are illegal in California, that includes Tiger salamanders.
As Advyth said Pleurodeles are a great starter newt, along with Axolotls being a great starter salamander. They are both readily available, cheap, come in different colors ( if you're into that type of thing ) and are easy to find CB.
However they both need temperatures of under 72 F ( 22 C ). If you think you would struggle to keep the temps that low, than something a little more temperature tolerant would be a good idea.
Hypeselotriton cyanurus can comfortably tolerate temperatures of 76 F ( 24 C ), and are readily available CB.
Tylototriton verrucosus are fine with temps to about 77 F ( 25 C ), but seem to be less common in the hobby these days, so finding some CB animals might take a bit of searching.

You can look at the care sheets of all the recommended species and more at this website, the care sheets are written by experienced keepers and give a ideal temperature range on most ( all? ) of the care sheets.

Caudata Culture Caresheets

Hope this helps :happy:

sde said:

I second what Advyth said. All Ambystoma are illegal in California, that includes Tiger salamanders.
along with Axolotls being a great starter salamander.

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Uh, you made a contradiction there, Axolotls are members of the Ambystoma genus. I second what you said though, fire salamanders are great if you were planning on terrestrial, Tylototriton verrucosus if you were planning on semi-aquatic, and Hypselotriton cyanurus if you were planning on aquatic. here are care-guides on all three species: Caudata Culture Species Entry - Salamandra salamandra - Fire Salamander
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tylototriton verrucosus
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops cyanurus

also the Cynops Ensicauda Popei resist hight temperature
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops ensicauda