S. Salamandra vivarium suggestions

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BurnsStPete

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Hello everyone,

I was finally able to find a beautiful captive bred fire salamander for sale locally. I was wondering if anyone that has experience keeping the species could offer any insight on how to create the best possible enclosure. I plan on incorporating live plants and a lot of moss. I would like to add some type of small waterfall/pool in the corner for aesthetics. However, I've read that outside of breeding, fire salamanders would rarely use it and it could be a drowning hazard. Should I incorporate an automatic mister? Any substrate suggestions? All information is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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Look at caudata culture in my sig and find the care sheet! Or look in the subsection on the forum dealing with them.
 
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Salamandra require good ventilation, some types more than others (you don't mention what kind of fire salamander it is). The pool is a fine idea but keep in mind:
  • It shouldn't be more than 1-1.5 inches deep and requires steps or something to help them exit the water to prevent drowning.
  • They like to defecate in the water bowl so you will need to be able to change the water easily.
  • You must keep the water clean.
 
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Thanks John,

I don't pick it up until Saturday but judging by the photos I believe it is S. salamandra. Everything is almost set up. I'll make sure to post pictures this weekend.
 
John

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You mean a subspecies of Salamandra salamandra right? Like Salamandra salamandra salamandra, or Salamandra salamandra gallaica?
 
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    @MuggleMiChu, how big they are? also for substrate, i would not do gravel at all I would either do sand or none at all!
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    They are about 2-3 inches long and I have them in a bare bottom tank
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    @MuggleMiChu I would say try live black/blood worms untell they are full or just turn there head away ( that's what mine do) if that does not work try to get some live brine shrimp and see if they eat that. baby axolotl prefer live food over frozen food as the frozen food is too cold for them or they can't eat it in one go( that's if you do the blocks) mine eat chopped up frozen thawed shrimp. as for them not eating from what I have experienced with my second axolotl, I got her when she was about an inch long and she ate every day, when they start getting 3-4 inches long they will gradually slow down there eating. and if you really want to do substrate I would do sand because if they do ingest a little bit it won't hurt them.
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    Thank you so much for the information and advice! They are eating again, they ate a lot today. I think it might have been stress from the move or digesting old food, I also noticed they ate some of the food left in the tank (I removed the rest). I’m going to keep the tank bare bottom.
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