Ribbed newt + pleco + loach + danios as tank mates?

[FaniFruFru]

Hi,

I need some advice. I was recently given a 90L tank that I had planned on putting my ribbed newt (Barry) in it. But then though as it is a large tank maybe he could have some friends. He is about 15cm. So my question is would he be ok with a pleco and a loach? The pleco is bigger than him and the loach is a speedy bugger, as for the danio I can't imagine they would do any damage at all. Probably just an expensive snack. Yey? Or ney?

 

[Azhael]

Ney.
If you´d like to have other inhabitants in the tank there are some options, but fish are not good choices. Besides all the potential problems of pathogen exchange, differences in housing requirements, possible harm, etc, Pleurodeles waltl is a species that actively inhabits fishless bodies of water. They can detect the chemical pressence of fish and this can cause stress or even prompt the animal to leave the water in search of greener grass. Fish also produce pure ammonia, and a big pleco could be a water quality hazzard.
Among the suitable tank mates are fresh-water shrimp species like Neocaridina heteropoda, a variety of snails (Physa, Physella, Planorbarius...) and perhaps even scuds or water hoglice. A stablished, healthy tank will also contain a variety of microorganisms which are not as much obvious fun, but can be very interesting.

 

[gar4016]

As an alternative, you could get another ribbed newt of similar size as a tank mate. Just make sure you're keeping the water clean for them.