New Owner Needs Advice

[mars714]

Hi. I'm looking to get an amphibian as a pet. I found this site though a search I know it's about fish but amphibians live in water too so... I have never owned an amphibian before, so I think I need one rather easy to manage. I was thinking a Fire Bellied Newt. Are they good first time amphibian owner choice? Some of the places online say they should be in pairs. Is this true? The tank should be at least 10-20 gallons, right? The tank should be half water half land if they are young, right? From what I've read, adult Fire Bellied Newts live almost entirely in water. Thanks for reading, and for any advice you have to offer.

 

[saltynay]

Fire bellied newts are an excellent choice for a first time amphib. They are poisonous so should be kept alone. A 10 gallon long would be perfect for a pair of newts you want to have either a piece of driftwood of stone structure allowing the newts to climb out of the water when needed. Java moss would be great for them to crawl around in.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Hi. I'm looking to get an amphibian as a pet. I found this site though a search I know it's about fish but amphibians live in water too so... I have never owned an amphibian before, so I think I need one rather easy to manage. I was thinking a Fire Bellied Newt. Are they good first time amphibian owner choice? Some of the places online say they should be in pairs. Is this true? The tank should be at least 10-20 gallons, right? The tank should be half water half land if they are young, right? From what I've read, adult Fire Bellied Newts live almost entirely in water. Thanks for reading, and for any advice you have to offer.

Depending on what fire bellied newt you want their tank requirements would be slightly different. I have a fully aquatic tank with a floating turtle dock for some land, so I'm not taking water space up with water. I think it's recommended 2-3 newts in a 10-15 gallon. I have a 16 gallon tank and I have 3 in there; mine are chinese fire bellied newts by the way.

Fire bellied newts are an excellent choice for a first time amphib. They are poisonous so should be kept alone. A 10 gallon long would be perfect for a pair of newts you want to have either a piece of driftwood of stone structure allowing the newts to climb out of the water when needed. Java moss would be great for them to crawl around in.

Not 'totally true' about the poisonous bit. I keep the species alone. You can get a single newt, or two or more, it's up to you - I was told it didn't matter if you had one as they weren't social creatures. They like human interaction (through the tank of course). Handling should be kept to a minimum. Newts are poisonous, but unless you are planning to eat them then I wouldn't worry. Just make sure that you wash your hands before and after. They have poison glands at the back of their heads which in a terrifying situation they release poison.

Newts aren't super active as such, but they are cute, they have little fingers and toes and little arms and legs which I find cute. They have way more personality than 'most' fish, and after a while they come running to see you . If they fall off things in their tank, they waft their little arms around like people do, to try and stop themselves from falling.

If you want more info on newts and other types of newt, go to caudata (link in my footer); they have care sheets and they are a dedicated newt/salamander and frog site.

My first newt has actually just laid eggs as well .

 

[mars714]

Thank you both for your advice. It may take a while before I can set everything up, If all goes accordingly, And I can get the set up for them soon. I should be able to get a vid up, (I have a video camera, but no camera camera) once I get them.