I need info on my FBN

[crystal]

I have just bought 4 FBN, I do not know if they are Chinese or Japanese?!? I was wondering, if anyone could tell me how to tell the difference, the pet store just had them labeled as "fire newts" and at the time, I did not know too much about them, so I went home and researched them for a while, because my plan was to get two FBN and two FBT because they were both in the same tank together at the pet store, and after reading a few websites, I seen that you could not put them together. But I would really like to know which type of FBN I have now. I am pretty sure they are still young, the pet store said they had just gotten them in. If I posted pics would someone be able to tell me which ones I had, and also how do I go about posting pictures?! please help me in anyway you can. Thank you.

 

[heather]

Welcome Crystal, you've come to the right place! There is a great article here that should help you very much:http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/firebelly.shtml
I would think your new newts are Chinese Fire Bellies aka Cynops orientalis. They are one of the most common types of newts sold, and it would be quite a find to stumble across JFB's these days - they are not as common in pet shops as they were in years past. Good luck with your new pets. Browse this site and you will find tons of great info, and feel free to ask questions.
Heather

 

[crystal]

Thank you! I am pretty sure they are Chinese fire bellies now. I was also wondering what type of live plants can I put in my tank with my little guys/girls? Also how do I know what age my newts are, and at what age am I able to tell what sex they are? Also I dont really want to "breed" these newts, but I know there is a very good chance with having 4 that there will be eggs layed, I hate the fact of killing them by not raising them right, or by the other newts eating them, what can I do if and when my newts have eggs, if I dont want to raise them? Does anybody buy eggs, or do they wait until they are larvae? I just hate the fact that eggs are little baby newts, and if I dont care for them properly they could die, and I dont want that to happen!
Thanks again!

 

[crystal]

Oh yes, and another question, I have heard different things about handling these newts, I have heard that you can NOT touch them at all unless wearing latex gloves, I have also heard that as long as you wash your hands before and after it is okay, and other sites I have seen them say to only touch or pick up in an absolute emergency. Does anyone know the real answer to wheather holding/touching is safe for the newt or not?!

 

[dawn]

I always wet my hands in their water, and hold them just a short bit (a minute or so) and then wash my hands after or use a squirt of alcohol rub (only AFTER).

 

[crystal]

Not sure if anyone seen my last post about what type of live plants are best for my FBN's. I would like to get some for them very soon, as in the next day or so, but dont want to put something that is going to be harmful for them in their tank. Thanks!

 

[foster]

Hey Crystal,
It's hard to go wrong with java moss and/or watersprite. Both are very easy to grow in low light levels and can withstand the lower temperatures preferred by Cynops.
Chip

 

[crystal]

Thanks Chip, I was wondering, what can I put on my dry land part for them so that they are not having to walk on the plastic part of the tank? Also where can I get the Java moss or watersprite? Is it available at most petstores that have live plants? I know our local petsmart has alot of live plants but I never checked out what they had. Thanks again!

Crystal

 

[crystal]

I have new pics of my newts, and I just noticed some things that make me think it is a Japanese. I see the parotoid glands pretty well, their tails are come to a point, I think their skin is a little bumpy, but smooth at the same time, and not sure about its belly pattern, if someone could please email me and I could send you pictures so that you can help me out.

Thanks
Crystal
Tweetypir@aol.com

 

[dawn]

Why don't you post them?

 

[dawn]

I am posting these pictures for Crystal, who is having trouble with her computer. Can anyone identify them for her?

 

[ryan]

Nices pics Dawn, that 5th pic down isn't their home is it, looks small.

 

[dawn]

These are Crystal's pics. She emailed them to me and I posted them for her.

 

[ryan]

Oh then, nice pics Crystal! How big is the tank.

 

[andy]

Cynops Orientalis

 

[cameron]

Yep definately Cyonops orientalis.

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

 

[crystal]

Thank you I wasn't sure which they were.
No that is not their tank, it is the corner of the it where the land part meets the water the tank they are in is 24"X18"X12" It is by Lee's Aquarium & Pet Products It is the large size Hep Habitat Bow-front Terrarium.

Thanks again
Crystal

 

[cameron]

Oh. I have the exact same thing for my Chinese Firebellies. I recognize it and the plastic leaf and stump it comes with in the last picture. They're pretty good tanks.

 

[ryan]

Alright good, just making sure. I hope you have fun with FBs!

 

[crystal]

Yep it came with two plastic leaves, which I only have one in there, but it sinks to the bottom and one of them likes to hide under it alot, and then the stump hiding spot, which they go in sometimes, usually at night time more then during the day, I also have a real wood stump, that floats, and one that is screwed into a peice of rock that holds it up like a tree and keeps it from floating, and they like to lay on it way more then they like the fake of course, yeah it is a great tank for what I needed!! They are great guys/girls. I was wanting to sell them to make room for my snakes, but I dont know if I am going to sell them anymore. They really are the cutest little things!! I was planing on getting a large Boa, but I think I am just going to get a ball python instead, and in that case wont need to get rid of my little newts! They are probably still too young to sex right? I can't really tell the difference in any of them really except I have two that are a little bigger, one that is getting fatter then the others quite fat actually!! hehe And then the other two are a little smaller, it could be that they are just a little older/younger, but could it also be that I have 2 females and 2 males? Or do they stay the same size when they are younger? Well thanks for all the info!!

Thanks
Crystal