Species appropriate for a 10 gallon tank

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Choucksolace

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I have a ten gallon tank with a tightly fitting screen lid which I would like to use to house my first newt. I'm not sure whether I want to go with an aquatic, semi-aquatic or terrestrial species, though I'm leaning toward the semi-aquatic. I really like axies, but I'm assuming a ten gallon would be too cramped even for one (correct me if I'm wrong). What species do you all recommend for a tank this size? I'm not interested in breeding and would prefer to avoid territorial aggression, etc., so I would only be housing one newt.
Thanks
Laura
 
Anyone? Perhaps I should have posted this elsewhere?
Laura
 
You might be right - I have no idea how this got into the "Advanced" section of the forum.
 
Laura, with a ten gallon and only wanting one newt the options are quite limitless. With the exception of the larger aquatics of course. Even a full grown axie could possibly be housed in a ten gallon, but this is the bare minimum and it might be challenging to keep water quality in check.
What you should ask yourself is what are you looking for? Do prefer terrestrial or aquatic? Large or small size? Bold or reserved? Is color important? What temperatures will you see on average? What are you will to do to care for a newt (chiller, certain live food, etc) Is there one species that stands out for you?

Answering these questions will narrow things down lots. There are newts that can handle higher temps, some that are easier to care for and feed. Semi-aquatic setups are nice both in looks and have the ability to let the newt decide on what it wants. In many smaller species, territorial aggression isn't even an issue so don't feel like one is the limit. Once you have an idea we can help you narrow it down further, right now its pretty vague.

Mitch
 
I don't know how it got to Advanced, but I moved it where it belongs.

Mitch gave a great reply, with questions that should help you narrow down your options.

It is possible to keep a single axolotl in a 10-gallon tank, though it should get a larger tank as it grows. And you'd need to be very vigilant about water quality.
 
Let me see if I can narrow it down a little. I'm looking for a species for which a ten gallon is ideal rather than the bare minimum, so I think I will hold off on the axies until I'm able to get a bigger tank. I'm looking for a semi-aquatic species that spends most of its time in water and would be happy with a floating dock or rock ledge as a land mass. I prefer a bare bottom tank with fake plants as opposed to a planted aquarium. A chiller is a little out of my price range, so I should probably steer clear of the species that are the most vulnerable to heat, though I do have an air conditioned room that I can keep in the low 70s during the hottest months of the year. Live food isn't a problem since I already raise crickets and meal worms for my gecko, though the frozen blood worms I feed my dwarf frogs are a little more convenient. I'm looking for a newt that is fairly outgoing and might enjoy being hand fed. Color isn't a priority, but I do have a soft spot for firebellies and little smiling faces, lol.
Thanks
Laura
 
Here are still lots of options, and other people may have additional ideas:
a single ribbed newt (P. waltl)
2 or 3 firebellied newts, any species
2 or 3 Cynops cyanurus (blue-tailed firebelly)
a single paddletail or warty newt (though these are only available wild-caught)
 
Thanks, Jen. I'm definitely leaning toward C. orientalis, C. pyrrhogaster, or C. cyanurus. Are adults of these species available from breeders or do they have to be purchased as juveniles? I'd prefer to avoid getting mine at a pet store (the ones in my area only carry orientalis), but I think I'd be better off starting out with an adult that won't need to be transitioned from terrestrial to semi-aquatic.
Laura
 
Laura, I have not kept C. pyrrhogaster so my opinion is going to be a tad bais. I have kept a C. orientalis and C. cyanurus for a year now and I have truely enjoyed them. As far newts go both are great in my opinion but my favorites are definitely my C. cyanurus. They are lively little piggies that have no problem eating many types of food. They can handle higher temps than most of the Cynops. They might be the smallest of Cynops although that really is a guess on my part. One thing is that these guys are 100% aquatic, I have yet to see one leave the water. I believe the other Cynops (when adults and healthy) are pretty much the same way.

All of these you listed are accessible through captive breeding. Many are even for sale as we speak. I support and applaud your decision of avoiding the pet store when it comes to buying newts. C. cyanurus are the only Cynops that you can keep aquatic. (with alittle work)

Mitch
 
Like the other poster, I only have experience w/ one breed, but they have been a joy. I only have C. Orientalis and have a ton of them thanks to some poor information from the pet store - mine reproduced after almost a year of having them contrary to what I was told as I wasn't looking to be a captive breeder! I would NOT buy from anyone but a breeder so as to not encourage wild caught animals, kept in terrible conditions, many dying along the journey, etc.

Anyway, my two were largely terrestrial when I got them, but then returned to the water and rarely venture back out, if ever. They've been separated for weeks, maybe months now, but the female is still laying eggs. If you're interested in any eggs, pm me. I want no money for anything but shipping - just want to see the little ones in good hands. I have about 50 larvae and have a shipment of eggs going out to a friend here next week. If she lays more afterwards, you're welcomed to them if you care to raise them from eggs, which is interesting as you watch life take form daily, but will get tough as they all morph (for my numbers). I have 5 morphs who have come out of the water and this is the tricky stage as they don't readily eat. I'm bracing for some casualties. I'm not sure if mine are eating or not to be honest - trying to count fruit flies! If you're not up for that (the larvae eat a variety of live microworms, daphnia, baby brine shrimp) someone here may have an adult or older juvenile that is close to being aquatic again. They are easily captive bred so they should be plentiful. Check the "For Sale/Trade" part of this site and take a look or post your own "Looking For" and you'll get a healthier species than any pet store will offer. As adults who have returned to the water, they are very easy to keep, would be quite happy with a small turtle dock, eat frozen and thawed bloodworms (available at any pet store) and live worms, etc.

If I can help you at all, please pm me. I have loved this breed and kept the pair quite happily in a 10 gallon tank until I moved the male as I am overwhelmed with eggs!

Good luck,
Dana
 
Cynops orientalis juveniles are on the difficult side(not advisable for beginners). The adults are extremely easy, but pet-shop adults are WC and that comes with a lot of disadvantages(i do not recomend them at all).

Cynops pyrrhogaster are an amazing species. The juveniles in my experience are easier to care for then those of orientalis, and will go aquatic earlier.

I don´t keep Cynops cyanurus but i know they can be kept aquatic as juveniles, and that they are easy.

All three species can be found as CB(C.orientalis being surprisingly rare....).
 
Choucksolace said:
Thanks, Jen. I'm definitely leaning toward C. orientalis, C. pyrrhogaster, or C. cyanurus. Are adults of these species available from breeders or do they have to be purchased as juveniles? I'd prefer to avoid getting mine at a pet store (the ones in my area only carry orientalis), but I think I'd be better off starting out with an adult that won't need to be transitioned from terrestrial to semi-aquatic.
Laura
Click to expand...

Indeed, this is the drawback to obtaining captive-bred animals (of any kind, from fish to dogs) - they are almost always sold as juveniles. As mentioned by Azhael, C. cyanurus does not go through a terrestrial phase, so those may be worth looking into. The juvs may need a shallow setup to start out with, but they don't need to be terrestrial. I know there are several people on this forum who have bred them, so you may want to place a "wanted" ad when you are ready.
 
Thanks, everyone. Dana, your offer of eggs is tempting, but I'm just not ready to raise juvies, let alone tadpoles. Good luck finding homes for your babies, though. Your experience is the main reason why I only want one newt, no chance of any accidents, lol.
It sounds like cyanurus is the best choice, what with the lack of a terrestrial stage, temperature tolerance, etc. I'm perfectly willing to wait a few months to avoid shipping in the heat. That will give me time to do more research :happy:
 
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