Eastern Newts and Set-up

[Mabrito88]

Hey Everyone. It's been a few years since i have been on cuadata but i figured i cant stop this enjoyment of the newt/salamander ownership. SO. Here is what I have been up to lately. It's a very nice 39 gallon Vivarium/Aquarium? I'm not sure what the right names are anymore. It has lots of moss and live plants. It cares for 5 white clouds. 2 Bettas. 2 Snails. A Pleco, and most importantly. 2 very happy Eastern Newts. Let me know what you think.

2011-03-02 17.18.55 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[RobM]

Hi, this is a really beautiful tank.
I would like to point out several things though.
Bettas are tropical fish and require temperatures higher than most newts, you could either be damaging the newts health or your Bettas.
Some Plecos have dangerous defensive spikes that would cause your newts harm if they tried to eat them.

I recommend having a read up of:
Caudata Culture Articles - Fish with Caudates
Caudata Culture Species Entry - Notophthalmus viridescens - Eastern Newt

It is a truly beautiful aquarium though, I am kind of jealous!

 

[slowfoot]

Welcome!

Beautiful tank! RobM already pointed out that your betta and pleco probably don't make the best roommates, so I won't repeat that.

Also, I think your newts might be central newts rather than eastern newts based on their lack of red spots. Their care is identical so it really doesn't matter. Either way, they look good.

 

[DeCypher]

You have a very beautiful tank.

I agree with the other posters. The betta/pleco fish could become aggressive with the newts or stress them out.

 

[nursemelody]

Ridiculously good-looking tank. Come do mine!!!! I am jealous too!

I really wouldn't worry about the plecos if they are larger.. But the Bettas seem like they would pick a fight with anyone/anything!

 

[Azhael]

Very nice!
The pleco will be a problem, though, you should definitely separate them. The betta requires temperatures higher than those necessary for the newts. By keeping them together you are either compromising the fish´s or the newt´s requirements.

Take a look at the links provided, plus this one:
Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

 

[Black leaves]

yeahh... in my experience, placo really like to bully your animal when you are not around.. they like to suck on your newt slimmy skin.. much better if you have shrimp, small shrimp to clean up your aquarium...

 

[froganole]

Beautiful tank and Newts but bettas get very agresive! but actually i have heard that bettas do well with african dwarf frogs!

 

[Mabrito88]

Hey thanks guys.

The tank looks as good as it does because I have experience with plants and aquarium for a long time now. ha. And its been established for about 5 years. I have had the Pleco in there for a year and he never causes a problem. I hardly ever see him.There is enough algae and sediment to keep him busy always. Plus he is only about 4 inches.When he gets bigger I can see it being a problem. And the Bettas don't really notice the newts. The newts usually chase the Bettas. The only ones the Bettas bother are the white clouds.Over the years and numerous planted tanks I've had, this has been the most peaceful and well rounded takes.

 

[eyrops]

I would be interested in knowing the average temperature and the range of temperature in your setup.

 

[monkeyfrogman28]

I can see the betta doing fine at 65F. I housed mine at room temp at 65F and it lived 4 years. Most of newts are kept at 65F or lower

 

[Mabrito88]

Never lower than 66, never higher than 72

 

[Azhael]

The ideal temperature for bettas is 26ºC as far as i can gather. That´s what i meant when i said that when you keep those species together you compromise in the care of one or the other. By keeping the temperatures low you favour the newts but sacrifice the care of the bettas, because they are not being kept at their ideal range.

Plecos can do damage to the skin of newts even when they are juvenile, wether you want to take the risk, it´s obviously up to you, but i think you should realise that the risk does exist

You do have a beautiful tank, but the tankmate choices you´ve made can be troublesome, all we are trying to do is to make you aware of that fact, so that you are at least informed.

 

[RADDC]

Although I don't really agree with your tankmate selection (I'm more of a geographically correct type of exhibiter), don't worry about the temps. Eastern Newts can live a long, healthy life at 75F (23-24C). You may not get them to breed that way, but it doesn't seem like that's your interest here.

 

[eyrops]

Never lower than 66, never higher than 72

Like RADDC, I am more inclined to not mix things as you have done, but my congratulations on finding a way to walk a rather thin line successfully in a very good looking tank.

-Steve Morse

 

[RADDC]

Again, there are ideal temps and there are acceptable "live a long life" temps. Most central newts tend to accept and thrive at higher temps than easterns and my easterns are dropping eggs galore currently at 74. I have hatched 60+ larvae with only two harvests and they haven't slowed down at all. The most important aspect of your husbandry is observation. If your newts look stressed (trying to climb out, not eating. losing weight, etc, etc) than adjust your husbandry. If they seem to be getting along, awesome!

 

[Mabrito88]

No, there is no top on the tank. And in 3 years ive never had a newt climb out. They are very plump happy newts.They aren't stressed at all. They are always out in the open, enjoying the perches or chasing the white clouds. Breeding is not my intent. Just having a happy healthy aquarium is my intent. And I can tell it is a very peaceful tank. Thanks the comments guys.