Chinese firebelly newt.

emmyk

emmyk

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So I've been researching.... haha. I got this 5 gal tank and I'm thinking of something to fill it. I assume a Chinese (not Japanese, I understand there is a size difference) fire belly newt could not fit? I'll be cycling it and doing more research before getting one of course... but if it is to small, do you guys have any suggestions to fill it?:)

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I would say it's too small for a newt as the temperature and water quality would be difficult to keep stable. Maybe it would make a nice planted tank with some shrimp? The temp could be kept stable by using a heater and the plants should be able to deal with the waste from the shrimp, or you could run a small air driven sponge filter.
 
A few fancy guppies and shrimp would fill it nicely. Maybe a small piece of driftwood and some plants.
 
You might be able to have one in there, but from what I've seen they benefit from having a few friends.

You could get a Betta fish (they usually appreciate the space) with a few shrimp or a Chinese algae eater.
 
Maybe you could start a Daphnia culture? Then you could feed baby axies, if you have any. Or like the others said, guppies would be nice. Or shrimp maybe. -Seth
 
I always have bad luck with bettas. I might go with a nice shrimp tank. I was hoping for something more out of the ordinary, but I don't have the space and I don't want a lil guy to suffer. He was just so cute at the pet store, wish I could have another ten gallon!

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Well, you could always get unusual fish. A loach, some upside-down catfish, or some gouramis? A crayfish would be nice.
 
emmyk said:
I always have bad luck with bettas. I might go with a nice shrimp tank. I was hoping for something more out of the ordinary, but I don't have the space and I don't want a lil guy to suffer. He was just so cute at the pet store, wish I could have another ten gallon!

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H. orientalis from a petstore usually experience bad conditions while being imported from China, and usually have a lot of problems(Not entering water, not eating, etc). Unless theyre from a breeder, and you have spoken with the breeder(petstores will give false info about the animal and about where it came from just to get you to buy it). I think a betta would be pretty easy in a 5 gallon, give it some plants, a heater, maybe a filter. :p
 
This little guy has been there for a while, seems to be happy. Someone told me they had success with one fbn in a 5 gal. Is the conflict with the bio load, or more with the swimming /walking space? I was thinking pretty heavily planted with a turtle dock or maybe a small land area with sand or wood.

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The water conditions can be pretty unstable in any tank under 10 gallons. Ammonia and nitrites can rise and fall without much warning, but physically, it's enough space for a newt.
 
So cycled and heavily planted, it could be done?

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A 5 gallon wouldn't provide adequate swimming space and a newt's bio load would make water quality too difficult to maintain. As said before, the temperature and ph would easily fluctuate, which would cause great stress to the animal (even if it is heavily planted).
Buying any WC animal, regardless of how well it is at the pet store, is supporting the unsustainable collection of animals from the wild.
 
FBNs are small, a 10 gallon for one newt with heavy planted and a turtle dock/float wouldn't be bad would it? I don't keep FBN so am not sure. I think maybe that if you did a lot of water changes, had a filter, and a lot of plants it might be ok. But like someone said they like a pal, so I don't know if it would work. Hmm, its hard to say, but I would still say probably not the best idea.

Ah geez, anyone got any other thoughts? I really am fighting myself on this one. It could go either way. Heavily planted, water changes, filter, maybe it would work. Then again, it might be better safe than sorry.

Like I said, I don't keep FBN, so I don't really know for sure.

Any other thoughts? -Seth
 
Oh well. If its not right its not right. :) is there any amphibian that would fit?

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Baby axie? :D.

Maybe some small terrestrial newt? Some sort of small frog maybe? I am out of ideas :p
 
Haha nawhh I'm happy with Stanley and. Want something that would stay small. Thanks Seth:)

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A green tree frog? They never grow past 3 inches long, and use the entire tank, not just the bottom.
 
Haven't researched them- just an idea. Although optimum conditions could be achieved by misting and setting up a heat pad..?
 
If you're dead set on finding an amphibian that could be kept in a small tank it might be worth looking at African dwarf frogs? I haven't kept them myself but if they are ok with warmer water than newts you could keep their temp stable with a small heater.
 
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    with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??
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    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
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    @Thorninmyside, I Lauren chen
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  • Clareclare:
    Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?
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