Sex ratios for keeping red-spotted newts

[lenora]

I am in the process of setting up a 30 gallon tank for some Eastern Red-Spotted newts I plan to buy on Saturday. I thought get 5 or 6. I'm not sure if I'm interested in breeding them later, but I do want to have the proper sex ratio to keep them happy and peaceful. What do you think is a good sex ratio for this species?

 

[jennifer]

More females than males. I'd recommend 2 males and 4 females. During breeding season, the males can be quite... um... assertive with the females. Since amplexus involves a strangle-hold, it's not a good situation for the females when they are outnumbered.