Newt Help

ikermalli · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject: Newt Help

OK, so I have a 5 Gallon bowfront eclipse tank, I was wondering if I could put one firebelly newt in there, if so how can I set the tank up to be suitable for the newt also what do I feed them? The only live foods I can get in my area are wax worms and blood worms, also if I am allowed to get a newt it will probably be in january so all help is welcome here! Also I will probably be needing the help after I get my newt. Oh and I forgot to mention... my local petsmart does not have any newts and will not take special orders so if your local petsmart does have them could you please notify me and could we see if your petsmart could give a newt to my petsmart for me?

- Imran
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**andrew** · Moderator Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Romeo MI

No...no newt. They need at least a 10 gallon.

But to set it up, you don't need a substrate, but it makes the tank look better. Plants, both buried in the gravel, and floating. You also need an area for them to get completely out of the water, whether this be a piece of driftwood, or a turtle dock, made for turtles. But a place to get out of the water is vitally important for newts.

Feeding is easy...they LOVE blackworms....but any other live worm will work too.

**Slipstream** · Moderator Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 56

Hers a little article i came across that might have some info for ya

Expert: The Petstore Girl
Date: 7/26/2006
Subject: Firebelly newts: tank and feeding

Question
Hello,

I know that a firebelly newt isn't a fish, but I
was wondering if you need a filter and heater
for their tank. Also, do you know if you can
feed them on either newt and salamander bites or
those bloodworms that come in a fish food shaker?

Answer
You do not need a filter for a newt, but it would definately help you maintain his home easier. Newts will eat just about anything. A heater may be good in the winter or when you may face extreme temperatures, but it's not a necessity. I used to keep my newts with salamanders and goldfish, and in the end they all ended up eating sinking pellets and live bloodworms. Of course a special food for newts is never a bad thing. Very Happy

**andrew** · Moderator Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Romeo MI

Filters are a must. The tank will smell, go stagnant, get dirty, etc. They need a filter. You can get small, internal filters are very cheap, and deffaintly worth it. Most newts, espacially firebellies, do not like a current, so unless you get a small filter, you'll have to find some way to diffuse the filter out flow.

No heaters....Newts and salamanders hate the heat. Alot of people actually have to use heaters in their tanks. So no heater...Even in the cold, their fine. Just make sure they never go under 60 degrees or so.

IME, newts will not eat those newt pellets, so don't waste your money on them. Just feed live blackworms, and earthworms. Frozen bloodworms are a good food as well. Don't be afraid to keep a few feeder guppies in the tank for him to eat when he feels like it. Crickets also make a good food, but again, make sure you have a place for the newt to get out of the water, because the crickets will need it.

Make sure there are no holes in the hood of the tank...newts, firebellies are no exceptions, can climb up the walls of the tank. And they don't live very long without water...lol

**andrew** · Moderator Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Romeo MI

Filters are a must. The tank will smell, go stagnant, get dirty, etc. They need a filter. You can get small, internal filters are very cheap, and deffaintly worth it. Most newts, espacially firebellies, do not like a current, so unless you get a small filter, you'll have to find some way to diffuse the filter out flow.

No heaters....Newts and salamanders hate the heat. Alot of people actually have to use heaters in their tanks. So no heater...Even in the cold, their fine. Just make sure they never go under 60 degrees or so.

IME, newts will not eat those newt pellets, so don't waste your money on them. Just feed live blackworms, and earthworms. Frozen bloodworms are a good food as well. Don't be afraid to keep a few feeder guppies in the tank for him to eat when he feels like it. Crickets also make a good food, but again, make sure you have a place for the newt to get out of the water, because the crickets will need it.

Make sure there are no holes in the hood of the tank...newts, firebellies are no exceptions, can climb up the walls of the tank. And they don't live very long without water...lol

ikermalli · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject:

Can I feed them mealworms?
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**andrew** · Moderator Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Romeo MI

No...Mealworms are NOT a very good food for any animal. They are extremely high in fat, and they are hard to digest because of their hard shell. Waxworms are a much better substitute for mealworms.

ikermalli · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject:

Can I use those as a staple diet, they are the only worms that I can find alive...
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**andrew** · Moderator Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Romeo MI

Use blackworms or frozen bloodworms as a staple. Waxworms are not a natural food, so should be used only as a treat.

ikermalli · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject:

alright, I will try to find them somewhere here
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