Newt Care Questions

[Halestein]

Hello there!

New here and new to newts, so I have a few questions about newt care before I even think about getting any.

I did some research beforehand and got different information on various topics relating to newt care.

For one, what's the best size tank for about 2-4 newts? Some places told me 10 gallons, but didn't say how many I could have in there. Others said a lot a 20 gallon to house up to 4. I currently have have a 10 gallon, but I have no problem getting a 20

Some places said rocks/pebbles in the water would be fine, others said none as it could damage the their slime coat. Would a bare bottom/sand/dirt/soil work better? Also, what do you use for their land? I'd love to make it look as natural as possible and would like to stay away from pre-made land ramps. What plants(real) would do best?

Also, what filters would work best for the water?

Lighting. Some sights said at least 9 to 12 hours of UVB light while we few others said it didn't matter or didn't mention it at all or said it wasn't needed

Heat/Humidity. I saw one or two sights that never mentioned either, but most others did include humidity. If it's required, what should it be at and what do you use to get it there? (Mister, spray bottle) and would it be best to get a reptile specific tank to better trap in the humidity or could I use a regular tank with a wire mesh top?(maybe even find something to cover half of it so fresh air flow is still getting in without too much humidity leaving)

I'd love to look at people's set ups as well :3

 

[Jennewt]

The tank size depends on the species. You could definitely keep 2-4 small newts in a 10-gallon, but larger is usually better. I like 20-long tanks (30 inches long). For land, I try to design it so that the land area doesn't decrease the total water volume. I don't like solid dividers. I use bricks, flower pots, and rocks.

Newts don't need UVB or heat. I live in a dry climate and don't add any humidity, just keep the soil damp for dirt-based species. For aquatic or semi-aquatic, then there's enough moisture from the water.

I use mostly wire mesh tops. Glass tops are OK, but trap heat, which is bad.

Here are some articles that might help, including ones on filters, substrates, and photos of setups.

Caudata Culture Articles

 

[Halestein]

The tank size depends on the species. You could definitely keep 2-4 small newts in a 10-gallon, but larger is usually better. I like 20-long tanks (30 inches long). For land, I try to design it so that the land area doesn't decrease the total water volume. I don't like solid dividers. I use bricks, flower pots, and rocks.

Newts don't need UVB or heat. I live in a dry climate and don't add any humidity, just keep the soil damp for dirt-based species. For aquatic or semi-aquatic, then there's enough moisture from the water.

I use mostly wire mesh tops. Glass tops are OK, but trap heat, which is bad.

Here are some articles that might help, including ones on filters, substrates, and photos of setups.

Caudata Culture Articles

Thank you for the information, I posted this on a Facebook group and two people replied, but not with answers to any of my questions. If I do go through with it I want them to have the best care possible

 

[Igneous]

If you don't mind me using your thread, I also have a question a bit more specific perhaps.

• Is C. orientalis (Chinese firebelly newt) considered to be a 'smaller' species?
• And would a tank 45 x 45 cm (17.7 x 17.7 inches) suffice? Probably less taking in account the hardscape.
• And if it would, for how many inhabitants?

 

[MnGuy]

What species are you looking to keep?

I suggest a 20 long. A 10 gallon is very small. I keep three alpine newts in a 20 long, and it feels like just the right size.

I keep mine on play sand. Newts have surprisingly large mouths and can swallow small rocks and pebbles. Rocks and pebbles that are too large to swallow are safe, but make sure they are BIG. You don't even want your newt to get a grip on a corner of the rock.

For plants, I'd go for easy low-light plants that don't need fertilizers and that don't grow tall since newt tanks have lower water levels: anubias, java fern, java moss, subwassertang, anacharis, hornwort, etc. For floaters, I use pennywort and frogbit, which does a good job of filtering out some light.

The land portion depends on what species you get. Many do not venture onto land for any significant amount of time. For my alpine newts, I have two cork logs lodge in two corners of the tank at the water surface. They rarely use it. The tank is essentially aquatic. If you get a mostly aquatic species, I'd suggest not dividing the tank and instead, using driftwood and cork logs/pieces protruding out of the water as the land feature.

I use two small sponge filters at either corner of my tank. Most internal box filters and hang-on-the-back filters are too strong.

I have my tank on LED lights for about 10 hours.

Most newts need cool temperatures. Humidity should not be an issue if you have a mostly aquatic species, but if you have a more terrestrial species, you'll need to mist often. I use a mesh top only because glass can trap heat, as someone mentioned, and because newts need good air flow for oxygen.

Good luck.

 

[Halestein]

What species are you looking to keep?

I suggest a 20 long. A 10 gallon is very small. I keep three alpine newts in a 20 long, and it feels like just the right size.

I keep mine on play sand. Newts have surprisingly large mouths and can swallow small rocks and pebbles. Rocks and pebbles that are too large to swallow are safe, but make sure they are BIG. You don't even want your newt to get a grip on a corner of the rock.

For plants, I'd go for easy low-light plants that don't need fertilizers and that don't grow tall since newt tanks have lower water levels: anubias, java fern, java moss, subwassertang, anacharis, hornwort, etc. For floaters, I use pennywort and frogbit, which does a good job of filtering out some light.

The land portion depends on what species you get. Many do not venture onto land for any significant amount of time. For my alpine newts, I have two cork logs lodge in two corners of the tank at the water surface. They rarely use it. The tank is essentially aquatic. If you get a mostly aquatic species, I'd suggest not dividing the tank and instead, using driftwood and cork logs/pieces protruding out of the water as the land feature.

I use two small sponge filters at either corner of my tank. Most internal box filters and hang-on-the-back filters are too strong.

I have my tank on LED lights for about 10 hours.

Most newts need cool temperatures. Humidity should not be an issue if you have a mostly aquatic species, but if you have a more terrestrial species, you'll need to mist often. I use a mesh top only because glass can trap heat, as someone mentioned, and because newts need good air flow for oxygen.

Good luck.

I was interested in fire bellies, but have learned that getting adults is almost impossible and that the juvies require a whole other sort of care.

I think I would do best with terrestrial species, rather it be at newts or salamanders. Do you have any recommendations for species that would do well in a 20 gal long?

 

[MnGuy]

I was interested in fire bellies, but have learned that getting adults is almost impossible and that the juvies require a whole other sort of care.

I think I would do best with terrestrial species, rather it be at newts or salamanders. Do you have any recommendations for species that would do well in a 20 gal long?

I'm not very familiar with terrestrial newt species. A single tiger salamander would work, though.