Question: Pseudotriton montanus floridanus OR Pseudotriton ruber?

[ntny]

Hello Folks
Need some advice.
i was looking for Plethodontidae family species and i come across now
Both Pseudotriton montanus floridanus (Rusty Mud) and Pseudotriton ruber (Red Rubber)
i have no experience with these rather unusual species
may i know which is easier to care for?
i read Pseudotriton montanus floridanus may come from Northern Florida? maybe it can tolerate higher temps and easier to care for? i am currently keeping all my sallies in a fridge at about 15-23C
i have search this forum and it seems Pseudotriton ruber needs very very cold temp and not so easy to keep species?
thanks and cheers!

 

[Otterwoman]

Try looking at these care sheets.

 

[ntny]

Hi Otterwoman
thanks for advice,
yes i did search the care sheets but seems like there is none for red rubber or rusty mud
i did look at black belly salamander and seal salamander care sheets, i am wondering if they are quite similar to red rubber and rusty mud salamanders?
https://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Desmognathus/Desmognathus_sp.shtml
thanks

Try looking at these care sheets.

 

[Otterwoman]

I have a friend who keeps ruber in an aquatic tank with a bunch of broken clay pottery and a floating island. They breed for him all the time. He keeps them in his basement.

 

[ntny]

Hi Otterwoman
thanks for advice again.
may i know if these Pseudotriton likes very very cold water. i searched in this forum some folks here keep them very cold at 10-15C :wow!
i am actually very interested in Pseudotriton montanus floridanus(Rusty Mud). they seems to come from Northern Florida and Georgia area perhaps slightly warmer temperatures are ok for them? even though they are not so brightly colored as P.rubber they maybe tougher and easier to maintain and breed. can i keep 1 pair in a 10 gallon tank?
thanks

I have a friend who keeps ruber in an aquatic tank with a bunch of broken clay pottery and a floating island. They breed for him all the time. He keeps them in his basement.

 

[Otterwoman]

Well, his basement temps seem to do the trick. I don't know how warm his basement gets in the hottest of summer. I also keep my newts in the basement but in the summer my basement has gotten up to 70 on the worst of hot days, so I have AC down there now for those days. They live in streams which are usually pretty cold. Common sense would suggest that the more southern newts could stand warmer temps, but take into account the elevation where they're found- that could negate the warmer temps of those states. Not that Florida is known for it's mountains LOL. I'm not sure where exactly their range is, so do a little research, and try it out, and then you can post about it and add to our collected salamander knowledge!