Definitive care info for ribbed newts?

[ChristineB]

In looking for books or websites devoted specifically to ribbed newts, I really haven't found much! It seems like they're always just a caresheet or subsection within general newt care. Is it just because they're so adaptable they don't need it? The funny thing is, there's some contradictions between experienced breeders online. One was saying to keep them at room temperature and RAISE it to induce breeding, one to keep them cool but get even COLDER for breeding. Everyone agrees to raise water levels so that must be the main thing! One said he breeds pairs in 10-gallon tanks, one said minimum 30 gallons for a trio, etc. Seems like pH should be about 7.0, folks agree.

Is there a definitive "expert" opinion to defer to on these guys? On here it seems like most people treat them like axolotls with a cork raft, so that's what I've been doing, except I turn off the cooling fan at night since it seems like a rise up to room temp isn't too stressful for them (It's also been very cold at night in my house, anyway). I'm watching water quality closely since my tank cycle isn't stable yet, and my juvenile newt seems happy and active, and is eating well daily, but I'm just curious if there's an information resource I've missed in my googling. :happy:

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Written by the go-to experts, with certain help from some extremely valid source that can be accessed using google scholar.

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Pleurodeles waltl

 

[ChristineB]

Thanks, I found that and it's very helpful. I guess I was thinking more of the less practical info like personality, growth rate, other habits. I noticed the Caudata.org care sheet doesn't weigh in on tank size or lifespan. I suppose I can mostly just observe, but still curious about stuff like why some care sheets note they get smaller and live much less long in captivity. Here's what I've turned up if anyone has any comments on the quality of info:
AmphibiaWeb - Pleurodeles waltl
Breed Spanish Ribbed Newts
Pet Newts: Spanish Ribbed Newt Care and Breeding (this link is also very helpful and is by a caudata.org site contributor)
Spanish Ribbed Newt Pleurodeles waltl - Reptile Apartment
https://www.rightpet.com/AmphibianDetail/spanish-ribbed-newt#

 

[michael]

They are one of the easiest salamanders to care for. They will eat most diets. Ribbed newts are such voracious eaters that overfeeding can be a problem. Sexing of adults is easy because the male develops rough black nuptial pads on the inside of it's arms for amplexus. Changes in temperature or water chemistry will trigger breeding. I prefer to do a huge water change on adult ribbed newts with cool water to trigger breeding. Using warmer water will trigger breeding too but as a rule salamanders do better in cooler water. Hundreds of eggs are laid at a time. Larvae are small and do well started on newly hatched artemia.