Winter care for fire belly newts

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Lukedragonetti

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Hi all - this is the first year that my fire bellies are of breeding age. I want to give them the best chance of breeding and I know the best bet would be to lower the temperature for a few months. My question is when should I start this and at what temperature is ideal? They are currently in a 40 gallon which will be tough to move into a room that I can drop the temperature in. Instead I may move them to a 10-20 gallon in my office (normally gets cooler in there). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
I would definitely move them into the 10 or 20, thats what I do with my newts and its much easier to winter them like that. Mine need much colder winter temperatures than a firebelly does, but the temperature change is definitely important
 
Roughskinned said:
I would definitely move them into the 10 or 20, thats what I do with my newts and its much easier to winter them like that. Mine need much colder winter temperatures than a firebelly does, but the temperature change is definitely important
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How long do you typically make that switch for?/ when do you start? And does your feeding schedule change? Sorry for all the questions but I appreciate the help
 
I usually start around now to november (it seems duration of the winter period matters more than when you start it). Right now, my california newts are probably at 65 degrees or so, I will move them so they are in an area that is more exposed to the winter temps (my basement isnt insulated and if I put it by the bulkead door, I can usually get a tank to 45. so the actual temperature change is pretty gradual. Once the time comes, I get mine to 40 degrees in a mini fridge (your fire bellies wont need it that cold). I kept mine in that fridge for 2 months last year, I will probably go 3 this year. Mine slow down their metabolisms as it gets colder, and finally stop eating once it gets below 45 degrees.

Take all of this with a grain of salt - I didn't actually succeed with breeding my California newts. Although from everything I've read, if you get yours down to 50-55F, you should be able to keep feeding them and they should breed for you come warmer temps.
 
This is so helpful to know! Thank you so much.

I’m a little worried to move mine into the basement because I think it actually might get close to freezing down there as I am in MA. I do have a closet that gets pretty cold and I might try and keep them there! I think I will aim to keep in there for 2.5-3 months and in about 6 inches or so of water.
 
Oh I'm in CT! You'd be surprised - my basement isn't insulated or furnished at all, and the coldest part only gets to about 44 even during the height of winter. But I think you should have breeding success as long as it gets to 50 or so
 
Roughskinned said:
Oh I'm in CT! You'd be surprised - my basement isn't insulated or furnished at all, and the coldest part only gets to about 44 even during the height of winter. But I think you should have breeding success as long as it gets to 50 or so
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Oh very interesting! Mine is the same so maybe I will have to put them down there then! Do you typically check on them daily when they are in your basement?

I am semi worried that it will get to freezing but I feel like you might be right! Maybe I will set it up earlier rather than later so they can skip the harshest part of the winter. Do you think 2 months would be enough?
 
I just took the temperature at multiple spots in my basement to get a feel for which parts stayed cooler and which stayed warmer, and then kept a thermometer in my tank for the entirety of last winter to make sure things were ok temp wise. I think two months should be sufficient. Do start culturing your micro fauna ahead of time.
 
Roughskinned said:
I just took the temperature at multiple spots in my basement to get a feel for which parts stayed cooler and which stayed warmer, and then kept a thermometer in my tank for the entirety of last winter to make sure things were ok temp wise. I think two months should be sufficient. Do start culturing your micro fauna ahead of time.
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Awesome that is what i will do! When you say micro fauna you mean for the babies correct?
 
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