Best ever petshop newt description...

[platinum]

Called in to my local aquarium shop this afternoon and an assistant asked if I was interested in 'red lizards'...

They were paddletails!

There were more than 20 in a 60cm tank with no hiding places, just large gravel. Moving among them were two small catfish-type tropical fish--not sure, but I think they're called cordyra, or similar.

Knowing how aggressive they can be, I was surprised they appeared so placid. No signs of malnutrition, sores or fungus either.

 

[freves]

Most all of the locals here in SW Virginia still refer to salamanders as 'lizards'. While I was growing up 'lizards' were commonly sold as fish bait until laws were passed.
Chip

 

[gbhil]

Most all of the locals here in SW Virginia still refer to salamanders as 'lizards'. While I was growing up 'lizards' were commonly sold as fish bait until laws were passed.
Chip

Ayep. Same here in Northwestern Virginia..."Orange Lizards" were a popular bait for smallmouth bass. When I was a kid you could get a dozen for a buck. Nowadays, the trend is to use the even more threatened marginated madtom..... crazy city folks have yet to learn the way of the hellgrammite

 

[Jennewt]

Knowing how aggressive they can be, I was surprised they appeared so placid. No signs of malnutrition, sores or fungus either.

They probably just arrived; check back in a few weeks. I would speculate that in a cramped tank, they are unable to establish territories, so some of their aggressive tendencies are put on hold.

 

[freves]

<<<Ayep. Same here in Northwestern Virginia>>> What area of the state are you in? I'm in the New River Valley. Sorry for straying off topic..
Chip

 

[gbhil]

In the mountains north of Winchester, right on the WV border. I'm sorry too Platinumtwo

On topic - Did you take any of them home with you?

 

[platinum]

No, gbhl, I didn't take any home. I was under a little pressure in the store because they know I keep caudates, but I pleaded 'shortage of space.' However, I know that on my next visit I'll be peering into the tank again!--despite Jennifer's prediction that they are newly imported and the worst has yet to come.

The sad thing is that although I told them they can be aggressive and generally need to be kept singly, the price was so low (£4 GBP) that kids will probably buy two or more and land themselves with problems.