newts

OxyBomb

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Mar 16, 2004
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I have a newt, I want to get a couple more and put them in a 20gal long tank, with some other fish, does anyone have any of these and what do they keep with them. the one I have eats smaller fish, I was gona put guppies and let him eat them. I was also going to try to breed the newts. thanks for any advice.
 
I probably wouldn't put in fish if you want them to breed. The male newt will deposit sperm packs around, and the female will pick them up, fertilizing her eggs, which she then lays and attaches to plants or wood underwater. I'd be concerned that the fish will consume the packets or the eggs--and a fish big enough not to be eaten will likely be able to consume the fry.

You may want to have 2 tanks--one for the adults, and another to raise the babies. Adults will eat babies if they can catch them. They will breed readily--a customer to the same LFS purchased a single newt--happened to be a fertilized female. He ended up with about 12 survivors.
 
wierd, but cool. thanks for the info. I had no idea. I put in some fish once in a while for him to eat. I had some rosy reds in there and he ate them all with in a month - 5 of them
 
Most newts have to go through a hibernation period before they breed so unless you let your tank temp. fall into the 40s there most likely wont be a problem with them breeding however I've never heard of a newt breeding without hibernating first. What kind of newts are you thinking of getting since each specie differs in terms of temperment, adult size, etc.?
 
just fire newts, its all I can get ahold of here. I would like to get a hell bender some time, but that would be a big project cuz they get really big. but ya, fire newts are all I can get. dont know what kind, cuz there are ones that are bigger and ones that are smaller
 
You should be able to keep 3-4 Japanese Fire-bellied newts in a 20g. no problem. I've never kept mine with fish so i wouldnt know what would be compatable. Just a shot in the dark but i would recommend a higher level swimming fish that either is larger or a lot faster than the newts. I guess zebra danios would work but may get eaten (once again just guessing). In terms of breeding them obviously your going to need to find a male and a female. The easiest way to tell them apart is that the male will be a little swollen at the underside base of his tail during the breeding season. First though they have to hibernate. This is more easily accomplished during the winter or cooler months. If you live in an area that has about a 6-8 week stretch of 46(or so)degree temperature place the newts in a plastic container filled with water and some gravel and have someway to keep the container inside dark. If you're willing to give up some refrigerator space you can have your newts hibernate during the summer and it would be easier to regulate the temp. After the hibernation period return them to the tank. The tank temperature should be around 68 degrees. Once the female has laid the eggs remove her or the eggs since she may eat them. If you decide to remove the eggs just put them in a similar set up with similar water conditions. Once the eggs hatch just feed the larvae daphnia, cyclops, or chopped bloodworms, tubifex worms, or whiteworms. Also try to find some books or more info on the topic, the more info the better. Good luck and tell us how it goes.
 
thanks for all that info, thats a load. I thought it would be neat to have the guppies in there cuz they will breed, and then can be food for the newts. but of course id feed them a varied diet, not just feeders try ing to get into breeding differnt kinds of animals
 
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