Question: Some basic questions..

[DeeSeven]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to get a few salamanders and I of course want to do some research before I start randomly buying things . I have a 60 gallon fish tank (227 liters for you uks ) I'd like to make a water/land feature for this tank, like a deep water feature 2-4 inches I'd say. But I know next to nothing about salamanders or newts for that matter. I was wondering what species would be good that I could do a deep water feature and have a land feature as well? Thanks

 

[Jennewt]

Welcome, Dee. I'd recommend looking through lots of setup photos. There are some on Caudata Culture and also in the gallery area of this forum. Your choice of species will depend on a lot of factors. One of the first things to consider is what will be the typical winter/summer temperatures in the room where you will keep this tank?

 

[DeeSeven]

Welcome, Dee. I'd recommend looking through lots of setup photos. There are some on Caudata Culture and also in the gallery area of this forum. Your choice of species will depend on a lot of factors. One of the first things to consider is what will be the typical winter/summer temperatures in the room where you will keep this tank?

Thank you jennewt I took a look at the albums and am looking for something like this

Caudata.org - Member Galleries - Fire-belly Toad Tank

Caudata.org - Member Galleries - Cynops Orientalis Tank

Caudata.org - Member Galleries - Cynops Orientalis Tank

Caudata.org - Member Galleries - Paludarium for Notophthalmus

temps in the winter are around 75
temps in the summer are around 70

 

[DeeSeven]

I was thinking on getting some ambystoma opacum, but I assume my original plans of having a deep water feature would have to go since they live by slow moving streams correct?

 

[Azhael]

Those are fully terrestrial, they can drown! A water dish is all they need.

While aquaterrariums are very pleasing to the eyes (and fun to construct!) they are not very practical. However in a 60gallon tank it could work nicely provided that you dedicate enough volume to water. Finding a species that will use both land and water in captivity is not that easy, though, since most are fully aquatic or fully terrestrial.

 

[DeeSeven]

thanks for the reply and honesty azhael as much as I'd love to construct a aquaterrarium I am finding out that there are no salamanders or newts that are half and half . So fully terrestrial is what Im looking for then, Aquatic set ups are nice but I like planting and gardening so that would fit right in with me . Now to do some research on what salamanders or newts are good for beginners. Thanks again azhael

 

[Azhael]

Well, there are some semi-aquatic species but they are less common in the trade. For example, T.marmoratus, T.verrucosus, most Lissotriton and a variety of plethodontids would do very well in an aquaterrarium.
If you decide to go terrestrial, A.tigrinum/mavortium would be a good beginner option. S.salamandra would to as long as you make sure they are captive-bred.