What aquatic for pond?

[KOvet]

I have an outdoor 50 gallon pond that's protected from predators. I live in San Diego, California. What would be a good aquatic salamander that could live in it? Also, it would have to tolerate warm temperatures.

 

[merk199]

Unless it was a native species in your area I would be nervous stocking with any foreign species. I would be afraid they might escape and then cause problems.

What water temps does the pond have? I would also worry at only 50 gallons the temp would fluctuate to much especially on the high side.

Just my 0.02

 

[Nathan]

I agree with merk. Be sure to check your state laws too. That said:

Is the pond shaded? Inground? Planted? Do you know what temps it reaches? The number of salamanders that can tolerate high water temps and associated low dissolved oxygen levels is fairly small. Here in Tennessee, I can find Amphiuma tridactylum, Siren intermedia, Notophthalmus viridescens, and Ambystoma talpoideum in waters that regularly reach the upper 70s and lower 80s. Still, they usually aren't found in the shallow, exposed, unvegetated waters that reach higher temps.

Also keep in mind that natural habitats usually offer a greater temperature gradient than artificial ones. If you ever walk barefoot in a mud-bottomed pond in the summer, dig your toes down into the bottom- the mud is noticeably cooler just a few inches down. Dense plants or detritus produce a similar effect. Wild salamanders can take advantage of these refuges when the water gets too hot. Salamanders in an artificial pond are not so lucky.

 

[Kaysie]

My $0.02: if you build it, they will come.

A number of native frog and salamander species will inhabit any suitable body of water within a few years. Why not build a couple ponds and have a 'wetland system'? Then enjoy the beauties your state has to offer.

 

[KOvet]

My pond is shaded and inground. In the spring and summer, my pond reaches temperatures of about 70-85 degrees. That’s usually the hottest it will get though. I’m planning on planting water hyacinth also. But I’ll probably just make another, larger pond in the future.