Aquatic Newt

Basic Care Plan for Aquatic Newt

A ten gallon tank is a good choice; your newt will fit perfectly in it as an adult. The species usually found in pet stores, Cynops pyrrhogaster, will max out at about 4-5 inches so you will not need to upgrade to a larger size enclosure

• The ideal ratio of water to land is three to one. Your newt will need enough land area to completely come out onto. You can slope rocks up towards one edge to create an island or place a large rock in. you need to make sure it is not so slippery as newts sometimes have trouble climbing.

   

• You do not need a heater- most newts prefer cooler water (50-70F)but do not keep them close to a window (especially in the winter) or in a drafty place.

   

• You do not need a filter, but you can use one if you like. If you decide to use a filter, try to find one that can be fully submerged and try to get the smallest size you can so the current won't be too strong. Keep it turned on for 24 hours before you introduce the newt so you can make sure it is functioning properly. If you use a filter that pours water out the top and hangs on the side of the aquarium, you'll need to put some sort of water-break underneath it so the water will trickle onto your newt rather than cascade. A plant or tall rock will work well. You don't need to run it 24-7; a few hours a day will suffice to keep the water clear. Even with a filter, you will still need to do water changes. Try somewhere between every 2 to 3 weeks. Keep adjusting it until you find what works best for your situation.

   

• If you do not use a filter, change 25% of the water every week. Siphon out water from the bottom of the tank. If the surface of the water ever looks cloudy or filmy, just the surface, this is nothing at all to worry about. If you have to take your newt out of the aquarium, make sure you place him in a container with a secure lid (so he doesn't escape). Replace the same amount of water that you took out with dechlorinated water.

   

• You will need a lid for your aquarium. Newts are escape artists and will crawl out of any crack they can find.

   

• The most important decoration you can give your newt is a secure place to hide. The neon fish houses that large variety stores sell for two dollars or so work perfectly for a newt to curl up in. The shape that works best kind of looks like a lowercase m. It doesn't really matter what you use, but you'll want to use a small cave or rock or piece of wood that your newt can hide in or underneath to feel safe. Never use anything you found outdoors; always use something that is safe for aquariums. Most newts also enjoy having either fake or live plants to climb on (they are totally carnivorous so if you choose live plants, they will be perfectly safe), rocks or gravel to dig in. Make sure everything you put in the tank is stable enough so if your newt decides to dig, nothing will topple over and crush it to death.

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 In their natural surroundings, newts are attracted to things that move (other living things). It is usually easy to obtain worms from a pet store, which should form the basis of your newt's diet. You may even be able to raise worms yourself (bloodworms/Tubifex are ideal for this). Several kinds of worm are used as food for newts and salamanders, such as: white worms, black worms, bloodworms/Tubifex worms, bloodworms, phoenix worms, mealworms, crickets, and occasionally wax worms, leaf worms, red wigglers/pan worms, or nightcrawlers. Daphnias, flightless fruit flies, and pinhead crickets, can be purchased online if the newt or salamander is very small. If you choose to use pellets, they can be stuffed in a chopped nightcrawler section. Larger prey may be given if it is a large salamander. Your newt may enjoy the occasional pinch of freeze dried bloodworms.

from http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-an-Aquatic-Newt