I have decided

[clintosaur]

After careful consideration, I will go with fire belly newts . I understand there are two species: Cynops orientalis and C. pyrrhogaster, and chances are I will go with the latter, due to the fact that it tolerates warmer temperatures than the former. If you read my thread 'Which one', you know that I want something active, easy to feed, and breed. I just want to make sure they fit this, as I want to make the best choice. I will research everything else, but want to make sure they are those three things.

 

[frogman]

As i have been told many times before, breeding should not be your main project as of now. You will probably be receiving WC animals unless you are ordering them from a private breeder. Where will you be ordering them from???

 

[Azhael]

If temps are an issue, then you are right in thinking that Cynops pyrrhogaster is a better choice. Both species are very easy to keep and breed when they are healthy. The problem is that pet-shop animals are not healthy. They are all WC, and even those in decent condition are very stressed which can lead to all sorts of problems, specially if they are not given excellent care right away (which is unlikely if they are your first newts because noone is born knowing).
I strongly recommend that you try to purchase captive bred animals. C.pyrrhogaster is bred more commonly than Hypselotriton orientalis and the juveniles are a bit easier to raise. They are an absolutely fantastic species in every possible way, i love them. They are bold (although "active" is a word that rarely applies to caudates), agressive eaters and breeding is very easy. If you can provide the necessary conditions for them they´ll eventually breed, you can count on that. They don´t even require a period of very low temps, they just need to be housed properly and it will happen, so all you have to do is make sure you are taking excellent care of them.

 

[clintosaur]

In August I am going to a reptile expo at Red Deer, Alberta. I plan on buying the
newt(s) there. I should have been more clear about what I said. What I meant to say was easy to breed, should I decided to breed them. It is definitly not on my priorities list. I hope they don't have wild caught Cynops pyrrhogaster. Thanks.

 

[Azhael]

Keep in mind that if they are selling adults, then there´s a 99% chance they will be WC.
If firebellies appeal to you, you might want to also consider Hypselotriton cyanurus. It´s bred in captivity by some people, they are particularly easy to raise and the adults are just as easy as H.orientalis or C.pyrrhogaster.

 

[clintosaur]

Wow. I would have never known that. I will keep an out for the blue tailed fire belly newts and the wild caught newts. If I can't find these, then I would say I would either get an axolotl or leopard gecko, just to make sure I get something captive bred. Probably a leopard gecko, I just think it is the better choice for me, but you never know.