i just got firebellied newts, found the larger one biting other HELP

[tommymcnewt]

Just bought 2 fire bellied newts, had them 2 weeks
Today we found the larger of them biting the tail of the smaller newt .
The smaller one of the newts keeps hiding behind the filter or inside the small log we have in the tank !

The smaller one of the newts is more black and has 8 small jewl incrusted dots on the top of its body, whereas the other one seems more brown with fainter marks on its stomach and no markings on its side ?

Are they the same breed ? sex ? age ? one is larger
can we keep them in the same tank if they are male female ?

will they b violent 2 each other if we do so

arghhh
Thanks !

Kerry & Thomas x

 

[Shadow]

The small one sounds like a Chinese FB whereas the bigger one sounds like a Japanese FB, possibly a paddle-tail. It would be most helpful if you could post pics though.

If I was you, I would seperate them if possible or at least add more hides if you could, to give the smaller newt a better chance for survival.

 

[Jennewt]

This article may help:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/firebelly.shtml
It's very important that you get a solid ID.

 

[micstarz]

They sound more like paddletail newts to me, Pachytriton labiatus.
Are their jaws round or slightly square?

 

[tommymcnewt]

Okay thanks for the help ive had a look at some of the pictures and now came to the conclusion they are both paddell tails ?

Going out today to buy something to seperate the tank with or a new tank altogether
we've took some pictures and we will try and upload them today !

The bigger one seems to be getting a lot fatter as its eating all the blood worms !
Feel sorry for the litto one Jewels !

 

[Shadow]

Yeah I've heard this spiecies is very aggresive. How big is your tank?

 

[Jennewt]

In aggressive species, it is common for the "underdog" to stop eating. The only way to solve the problem is to separate them into two tanks. Be sure both tanks are escape-proof:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/escape.shtml