Set Up For Chinese Fire Bellied Newts

[Holding2k9]

Hi Guys, i havent been on much lately as i was considering selling my five fire bellied newts.

however i have fallen in love with them again and have decided to completely refurbish their tank.

please if anyone can help assist me with decisions of planting .. and substrate e.g gravel or sand .
and if anyone knows of cheap amphibian sites in the UK.

Also Post pics please thank you

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

http://www.caudata.org/photoplog/index.php?c=85

http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33

http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8

You will still have to do some searching but these links will give you all you need for ideas on Cynops setups. IMO java moss and pothos are great plants for any aquatic setup. Stuff the tank full of these plants, a cork island or two, some hides and sand for substrate.

Good luck!

Mitch

 

[Holding2k9]

Thank You Please Feel Free To tell me about suitable plants.

 

[froggy]

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

there is a link to caudata culture, this forum's information sheet sister site, in the top bar of the forum. The above link is to the care sheet there for C. orientalis.

http://www.caudata.org/people/JM/plants.html has some nice plants to use in a newt tank. I largely use java moss (Vesicularia dubyana), Vallisineria, duck weed (Lemna minor), java ferm (Microsorum pteropus) and devil's ivy (Pothos/Philodendron). The devil's ivy does best if it is placed on a floating island and allowed to grow roots into the water. This prevents the leaves from rotting, as they often do when submerged.

'...cheap amphibian sites...' : If you want to get some more Cynops, I would strongly urge you to acquire captive bred animals instead of wild caught ones. Captive bred animals are healthier, less stresed, more used to captive conditions and do not recquire unsustainable collection from wild populations. If you buy from a petshop, they are almost certainly WC. There are a number of users of this forum who have offered CB offspring, although i don't know if any are in the UK. Place an ad in the Wanted section, and look out for adverts in the for sale section.

Good luck setting up the new tank,

Chris