Species Suggestion?

[NV]

Well we went out today to get some newts, stopped at all Pet Worlds (local chain of pet stores) actually HOPING to find firebellies, none at any of the local places, went to Hoffers (local HUGE pet store with everything normally), NONE, went to Fish Factory (small store that specializes in oddities), NONE... went to Aquatics Unlimited (Fish prodominatly) and they had some listed as "California Newts" well... I have kept those in the past and these seemed a little different. We bring them home, compare pictures and find out they are paddletailed newts. NOT what we wanted. So we have 1males and 2 females and they are seem to be too aggressive for what I had planned, and with them being a pure aquatic species, they do not fit with my tank design. So now we are looking for the firebellies or another species that stays small and goes both in water and on land. We will be taking the current guys back.

Are there any suggestions on what species we should/could keep? I will post a picture of the tank as of now. If you know of where we can find these species as well, that would be great. I am planning on starting to browse the "for sale" section of the forum.

If you are local (SE WIsconsin Area) and know of a place where we can get some, that advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

NV

 

[caudatadude28]

First, I want to say, that is a beautiful setup. Ok about the firebellies. Do youself and the newts a favor and dont buy them at a pet shop. They will most likely get sick and die after you get them. At least some will. I have had experience with this before finding this site, not fun. Look in the classifieds on this site.

For your setup I would advise her Japenese firebellies because they may use the land area. Right now the Gold dust firebellies are terrestrial so they wouldnt use the water, unless they are ready for the transition. Blue tailed firebellies dont really haul out on land much from what I have been told. The alpine newts require cold temps for the most part. Hope this helps. By the way I am from north-west Wisconsin.

 

[NV]

Thank you so much for the advice and quick response. I think we are narrowing it down to the Japenese Firebelly newt and the Blue tailed firebelly newt. There is a guy who is a member here and lives in the same town who keeps the Blue Taileds, and they seem to be the ones that intregue me more, seeing I have kept he Japanese Firebellies before. I will be placing my order with her hopefully sometime this week.

Like I said, thanks so much for the advice. One more quick question, what types of plants should I use? I am thinking cabomba/hornwort, java moss and the dwarf lily plant that is currently in there (thought it might look good and help some?).

Thanks again,

Nate

 

[Jennewt]

AJ, thanks for the plug, but I removed the info you posted that was straight out of the ad section.

NV, is the water level of the tank flexible? Also, what is the water temperature likely to be in winter and in summer?

 

[NV]

there is a submerged heater under the sand. the temp of the water would stay roughly 72 degrees. The water can fluctuate up and down, I just have "terrarium moss" on the land on the left end. I could easily add more sand to make more land mass or add water to increase the levels.

 

[NV]

Would 10 blue tailed fire bellies be too many for this tank? And also, I have read that it is bad to mix species, is that true as well? I have never kept more than 1 species in a tank, but with this large floor plan, just thought it would be neat with a couple.

Thanks for the input guys.