Newt Nursery for C. ensicauda popei

[deborah]

This is a small, 5 gallon tank which is a nursery for 4 juvenile Japanese gold dust newts.

The substrate is a wet paper towel. There is a coconut shell which they seem to enjoy hiding in, a shallow feed dish which allows them to eat live blackworms (which they love). One live bamboo plant and lots of damp moss. It is simple but home for now until we get a larger set-up form them. The tape at the top is what is holding on the screen (this tank only came with a glass cover, so had to improvise. I know it looks tacky).

You can see one of the little guys on top of the moss. They are eating fruit-fliesat the moment.

 

[jennifer]

Not bad. I have a couple of suggestions. First, you can buy screen lids to fit a standard 5-gallon tank. I got one at Petsmart for about $5. If you can't find one at a shop, online places sell them too.

Sphagnum moss can work, but can also slowly kill, as it can be very acidic. If you want to continue using it, there are 2 suggestions. One, soak it in many changes of water before using it. Two, soak a bit of it in distilled water overnight, then test the water pH; this will tell you if it is acidic enough that you should be concerned.

In place of sphagnum, I would recommend either strands of silk plants (pet shop kind, or craft store kind). Or cuttings of hardy houseplants, like pothos or wandering jew. As the sphagnum helps hold moisture, you'd have to be more vigilant about the tank drieing out - a substrate of something other than towels might be needed.

Regarding the fruit flies, it's a good idea to dust them with a good vitamin/mineral powder, just like you would with crickets.

How is the temperature in the tank? If it's too warm, you may be able to keep the lamp farther away. If you choose to use silk plants, you wouldn't even need the lamp.

Good luck with the newts, you seem to be on the right track! I'd love to see pictures of the newts too.

 

[deborah]

Thanks for the ideas Jennifer!! We've actually been hunting for a screen, and the local petsmart won't keep them in stock. We'll probably have to get one online.

I prefer live plants over silk ones wherever possible, so I'll probably get some of the ones you noted to just replace the moss.

I wasn't actually aware of the acidic qualities of the moss until fairly recently - I think I actually read it on your site.

We're also setting up a third enclosure now - it will be a terrarium setup with one small waterfall... I'll post a pic when its done. It will house red efts.