A couple of questions (Alpine newts)

[superfin]

Hi eveyone.I am planning to get some Alpine newts for my 42 gallon tank but there are a couple of things I would like answered before I get them.

1. Can they be mixed with any species of fish,newts,frogs or shrimp?
2. How many can I have in a well filltered 42 gallon tank?
3 Is it necesery to keep the tank filtered when you keep them outside to hibernate?
4.Do they prefer hard or soft water?
5.Do they need any land?

thanks

 

[superfin]

Ok I have gotten the 3,4 and 5 answered but I really need to know the first 2

 

[Azhael]

Hey,
Yeah, there are a few things you can house together with the newts, like shrimps, snails, even a small number of certain fish species. Mixing with other species of newt, frogs, etc, is not advisable at all.

In a tank like that you could have a nice breeding colony of 10+. I would err on the side of understocking rather than pushing for as many as you could fit. It would make things super easy for you to have fewer newts in a big space, believe me.

Filters are redundant in a big tank like that if it´s well planted and a bit understocked. The newts will prefer no current at all.

They can adapt to a range of water hardnesses, you can read about it in the CC articles.

Adults are 100% aquatic, or almost. For safety, a piece of floating cork bark for them to haul onto is always nice, but it´s likely it won´t get used often.

This is a fantastic species, which adapts great to british weather, so i bet you are in for many years of enjoyment.

 

[superfin]

Thanks alot ahzeal,i appreciate it. Just a couple more questions, what kind of fish can I house with Alpine Newts?,is 7-8 a good number to have? because on the lowest setting,that filter makes almost no current and then I can just point the out put at the side of the tank.


thanks