Help with mixing breeds.

[joel]

Hello,
I'm still in the planning stages of my aquarium setup, and I'm curious what types of newts co-habitate well. I'm currently looknig at the only local type: Notophthalamus v. Viridescens (red spotted eastern) And Cynops... either orientalis or pyrrhogaster. I hear pyrrhogaster might be better for my sort of climate... (-40C - +40C).

Anyways, I'm definately going with the Viridescens, jsut curious if any of the fire-belly varieties would live with them? If not, is there any other newts anyone would recommend?

I'm trying for a 70 gallon aquatic setup, but I may end up with a much smaller 20 gal... Really jsut trying to learn as much as I possibly can so I don't hurt the little guys. (Always had a soft spot for Caudates, since I seen my first one.)

Anyways, if there's a better forum for my questions, pelase let me know, and thanks in advance for any answers you can provide for me.

 

[joel]

Oh, just a bit to ammend to that. We only have one pet store here that carries newts, I believe, a pets unlimited with a very limited supply of fire bellies. I'm in New brunswick Canada, does anyone know where I might find some other varieties for purchase?

I could catch the N. v. viridescens, but I'm not sure if that's legal here, and I'd prefer ones who are used to the stress of Aquarium life.

Again, thank you..

 

[danny]

Hello there Joel, nice to see another Canadian member! One bit of concern with your idea of mixing species. Ive heard that the N.v.viridescens have their own toxin that can be potentially harmful to other animals in the same tank. Heres a good link to some great info on it.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/toxin.shtml

 

[joel]

Always nice to see fellow Canadians! That toxin problem could indeed develop into quite a problem. I was considering a few local fish varities (stickle-back namely) but that'd mean less newts, and fish are boring anyways. [chuckles] The only non-newts I'm really considering now is some algae cleaner (is it neccessary?) and perhaps starting a simultaneous blackworm culture for feed. I've read that they work rather well in the feeding forums...

So the concern is whether N.v.viridescens would harm other newts via the toxin. I really like the Viridescens since I grew up with them, but perhaps other species might work better, I'm open to all suggestions.
Would other types of eastern newts tolerate the toxin, I wonder? I want different breeds so it'll be easier for me to tell the difference between Billy and Bobby, so to speak. That and it would just be a very attractive setup with a couple different breeds, I think.

 

[joseph]

I would reccomend just sticking with N. v. v. Fish might work, but sticklebacks seem like they would pose a danger to the newts if the newts try to eat them or should they spawn. Keeping the newts aloen would be best. Read the articles on this site too-the one on mixing if you haven't already. A few fish are suitable but must be chosen carefully. An algae eater is unneccesary and not reccomended(you are probably referring to the common pleco which grows very large).

 

[joel]

Joseph, Thanks alot, that's some really helpful information. I'd always believed that firebelly newts and toads could live together. I think i'll take your advice and stick with my viridescens, or some Fire Bellys... in the meantime, I'll keep looking to see if the two of them can co-exist.
I hadn't found the articles before, but there's loads of new information there.

Any recommendations for feeder types? I'm considering springtails, nightcrawlers, and blackworms at the moment...

You've both been very helpful, thanks a ton!

 

[kim]

Hi Joel,

This is the link to the mixing disasters page..
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Mixing_disasters.shtml

As you will notice there are very few or if any one that agrees on the forum with mixing diffferent species in home aquariums... I personally woudn't due to the fact of what could happen and which more than likey will happen.

This is the link to the care page.. hopefully you will find some more info on there..

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Notophthalmus/N_viridescens.shtml

And just incase you havn't read them yet... Cynops care pages..

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_orientalis.shtml

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_pyrrhogaster.shtml

Good luck with your choice of newt, feel free to ask any questions.

 

[carly]

you'll always be able to tell your newts apart. It's like having two dogs of the same breed. There are always differences between the animals.

 

[jeff]

Welcome to the forum, Joel. While your intentions are good, rest assured that mixing two or more completely different species is a bad idea. The mixing of Fire-bellied toads (B. orientalis) and Fire-bellied newts (C. orientalis)is a myth that's long been perpetuated by the pet store industry. The truth is the mixing of those two species can have Deadly consequences. If you feel like mixing N.v.v. with others, you might try the different N.viridescens "subspecies": N. v. dorsalis, N. v. louisianensis or N. v. piaropicola. They are so closely related (they aren't even regarded as true subspecies)that I doubt mixing them would be a problem. The only dilemma I see is trying to aquire the other subspecies- they're not as common as N.v.v. in the pet trade.

 

[john]

Joel,
Even though you may like the N.v.v, I would strongly urge you to get orientalis.This way if you got the 70 gal setup you could have many in there and could even make the setup 1/2 water 1/2 land. Since you climate is so contradicting I think you should get the cynops p. instead of cynops orientalis for they are supposed to be more hardy. I don't have to much experience in the first but I do have c.o and belive them to be my favorit species. This is only a suggestion and I belive that what ever conclusion you come to, you will be happy as will your newts.