Need help with a newt

[TheTriggerfish]

Exactly like the title says I need some help..... on a trip to the LFS I decided to pick up a paddle tail newt. First of all I'm having doubts on wether it is even a paddle tail newt looking at pictures i think it might be a chinese fire-belly newt. Are there any obvious differences? I have read that paddle tail newts are very aggressive and will eat anything what about fire-bellys? I am curently housing it in my 30 gallon planted with neon tetras. Also, can they live underwater or do they need a floating platform?
Thanks in advance, TheTriggerfish

[bettaobsession]

here is a link to a page about fire belied newts: http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/salamanders/a/firebelliednewt.htm

and a link to paddle tails: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle-Tail_Newt

i dont know anything about newts so this is all i can do, sorry
hope this helps!

[bettaobsession]

better link to paddle tails: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_Paddle-Tail_Newt

[thebrandon]

it will need land or it will not live very long. Regardless of it's a firebelly or paddle tail it will most likely go after your neons.

also if you can get a picture of it we could tell what it is for sure:)

[TheTriggerfish]

here is a link to a page about fire belied newts: http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/salamanders/a/firebelliednewt.htm

and a link to paddle tails: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle-Tail_Newt

i dont know anything about newts so this is all i can do, sorry
hope this helps!
Thanks, I just kept reading about chinese firebellied newts.

[TheTriggerfish]

it will need land or it will not live very long. Regardless of it's a firebelly or paddle tail it will most likely go after your neons.

also if you can get a picture of it we could tell what it is for sure:)
The tank is a 30 gallon tall so it would be hard to add a dry section while keeping fish, is a floating surface good enough? and by not very long do you mean hours or days? I don't have any pictures right now but I'll post them as soon I find a camera.

[thebrandon]

The floating islands are decent way to give them some land. It makes it easier for them to get on if you have some fake plants coming up to the base of the island.

You might want to lower your water level a bit too to keep it a little further from the light and to help make escaping harder.

[TheTriggerfish]

I made a floating island for him and placed him on there, because he seems to like land more. Also, I've tried feeding him but he isn't interested in fish flakes, fish pellets, or freeze-dried mysis and other shrimp, I think I'll try live blood worms.