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I'm wondering if I can get some advice.

I want to purchase a Newt or two. I've never owned any amphibians before. I read a variety of web sites and think that I may want to start with the Fire-bellied Newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster.

Is this the most people friendly newt and is it fairly easy to take care of?

How do I guarantee that I am actually getting a Cynops pyrrhogaster? I've heard that pet stores will sell other newts that look like Cynops pyrrhogaster and say that they are indeed Cynops pyrrhogaster.

Thanks.
 
from what i've heard phyrrhogaster are fairly good but c. orientalis the smaller chinese form are even better.

pet shops are renound for selling animals under false names so i would study the newts and then look up the type on the net.( i think it is great that you want to find the species before you buy it).

what size of tank do you have? this will of course limit the number of animals.

also don't over heat the water, i'm not sure of the actual temp, i'm sure someone else will tell you that.

if there is anything else look on caudata culture you will find lots of health/care tips there and the FAQ's are also good.

good luck with the newt/s i'm sure you will look after them well.
 
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Salamandridae.shtml

Use this link to find more usefull information (pictures, caresheets) on the cynops species.
I'm glad you want to inform yourself first and than buy them
happy.gif


good luck
 
Thank you both, Will and Joeri.

I'll read the resouces you recommended.

I have a tank that is 20" X 10" X 12", I don't know the volume. Is that large enough for two c. orientalis?

Is it possible to purchase the c. orientalis online? I'm not finding a lot of options in my town.
 
Hi Strozyk, your tank is a 10-gallon size. That would be just fine for two of either kind of Cynops. I think if you are patient, you should be able to find C. orientalis locally. Talk to the managers at your local shops and see if they ever get them, or could order them for you.

C. pyrrhogaster are, in my opinion, better pets. They are larger and more tolerant of warm temperatures. However, they are almost never sold any more, so most likely you'll end up with C. orientalis. If the shop tells you they have Japanese (pyrrhogaster), don't believe them!

Another option you might want to consider would be captive-bred newts. These would require even more patience to find, and are generally quite small to begin with, but could be rewarding.
 
Jennifer,

How can I go about finding captive bred newts? I'd rather support that than wild caught.

Thanks!
 
look through the ads section, if you can't find anyone selling them there then post in the wanted section, but you will have to become a user person first to read or post, i would if i were you because you my well want to know other pieces of information.
 
Strozyk, as you are not registered, I cannot tell what country you live in. It's hard to tell you where to start looking without knowing that. Will is correct about starting with the ads here, you just have to register to see them. Usually it comes down to making contact with specific people who are breeding.
 
Jesper wins the prize! I am from Minneapolis.

What gave it away, My accent??

: }
 
What is up with the lack of C. pyrrhogaster in the US?? 10 years ago, those were the main ones I would see at stores. In fact, I didn't see as many c. orientalis. I have owned both, and definetly liked that pyrrhogaster more...just an opinion. Another choice is c. ensicauda, which I have found at reptile shows, and people on this site probably know where to get them. In my opinion, they seem to be very similar in looks and behavior to c. pyrrhogaster, except for the stripes...
 
Hi, I have both types of fire bellys, and there is not really any personnality differences, but one is a ted bigger than the other. They are both really great pets, and if you get a nice setup, it is awesome! In my area, all you can find now days are the orientals. Good luck!
 
Mark S. - I wonder the same thing. I think maybe the Chinese variety are a lot cheaper, so that's what the wholesalers and shops carry.

Ensicauda are generally a bit larger and the bellies are less red, but they are similar to pyrrhogaster. If you have found them at reptile shows, I'm amazed, as I haven't heard any other reports of WC ensicauda showing up in the US.
 
Well. I registered so I would be able to post a want ad and I am being told that either my user name/password combination was invalid or I do not have permission to post to the topic of Caudata.org - Newt and Salamander Discussion Forums » Species Wanted, Items Sought » Wanted in the USA »

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
I don't have newts to sell or trade or give away. I'm looking for someone who has the newts I want. I am trying to post a wanted message. Is this considered an advertisement?

Thanks.
 
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