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RE: fire belly newts

froggy 27 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:57:13 GMT

I have 2 females and 1 male in a 15 gal

they breed every year 1-2

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:12:44 GMT

guys- my fire bellies eat on wednesdays and sundays but i read that they should be fed three days a week should i swtich? or stick with my usual feeding time? can they survive that change?

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:38:23 GMT

first: thanks i'll go to petsmart

second: there is no way that i am getting rid of my male, he was a gift from a friend of my dad's from the office and i am not doing that

third" i know you are trying to help but i won't do that, so maybe one more female

RE: fire belly newts

Nikita — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:34:40 GMT

I think that four of them in a 15-gallon is pushing it. Even if it's kept clean, the frogs won't have much space to themselves. I'd see if I could cut a deal to rehome the male frog and get one or two females, leaving you with two or three that won't stress each other as badly.

But to answer your question, I wouldn't rescue. I know it's tempting - and it's doing the right thing - to get the animal out of that bad situation. But if the store's policies don't change, then the frogs that they continue to stock will just have to live in the same situation. So buy purchasing herps there, it sends them a message saying "Okay, these guys are selling so let's get some more!"

So it helps one or two frogs, but doesn't change the situation for the rest of them. You can always try talking to the staff, or having your parents do the talking, about getting them better enclosures. They might listen if you mention that keeping them in poor condition causes them to lose business because other stores like Petsmart have healthier animals.

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:16:21 GMT

guys, i may get two female fire bellies to go with my pair but i am not sure when but i need your help

i have two locations of fire belly toads: petsmart bu the mall of georgia and a storeclose by me called the pet super store (my mom doesn't like them cuz she thinks they're weird, and they're not that helpful)

anyway the petsmart has a whole bunch of them in an aquaarium setup and they seem happy so i think that'd be a good choice but here's the twist

the pet super store has 10 or less fire bellies in a 1 or 5 gallon plastic like tank with water like an inch and one flat rock

should i rescue two females from there or gp to petsmart?

RE: fire belly newts

newtous — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:53:48 GMT

here that pic.

RE: fire belly newts

Nikita — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:42:23 GMT

If you go to Petsmart or Petco, or a smaller store, and look in the aquarium section, you will find artificial plants. It's very simple.

You can even cut them to your specifications to make your own look.

I'm assuming you're going artificial, so that's your best option. Things will be a bit different if you want any live aquatic plants in the tank.

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:46:27 GMT

hey guys, my mom said to wait on the fire belly toad

so i am going to get another female fire belly toad or two for my fire bellies in my 15 gallon

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:06:04 GMT

thank you

when you are replying there is a buttion with a mountian picture on it right above the color buttion click on it and click broswe then choose the photo you want in your reply

RE: fire belly newts

newtous — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:03:19 GMT

The floating plants are exo-terra the tree like ones I forgot. I have pics but I don't know how to insert them in forum. You can find them in most pet shops.

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:58:37 GMT

yes, i know bu what are they called and where can i find them?

that is my question

RE: fire belly newts

newtous — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:55:10 GMT

For fake plants I like tree like ones that stick out of the water and floating plants. I have a mix of both.

RE: fire belly newts

Nikita — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:20:56 GMT

Really, aquariums aren't that pricey to set up if you know how to bargain-shop. If you put together a 10-gallon tank and stocked it with feeder guppies, you would have an good-looking display piece in your room and an endless source of disease-free, nutritious food for your herps. They breed like rabbits, so if you invested in a tank, you'd never have to buy feeder fish again.

Just a thought.

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:01:28 GMT

Zoofew, I suppose you could. It would be a little cramped. But how will you put in a filter?

And definitely follow Nikita's advice. Always quarantine the feeder guppies. I will keep mine in a 2 gallon tank with a filter and keep about 20 at a time (they are only baby guppies, not adults).

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:27:31 GMT

what abot my tank can i keep them there

RE: fire belly newts

Nikita — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:24:19 GMT

Here's my two cents.

Feeder guppies should be quarantined for 2 weeks to prevent spread of disease and to be fed nutritious foods. They shouldn't be fed straight from the pet store because of malnutrition and disease risk.

If you're not using a floating island for the land portion of the tank, separate the water and land portions in some way - using plastic liner to create a small "pond" works well. Piling up gravel on one side and not dividing the water from the substrate encourages more mold and can allow for dangerous bacteria to grow.

15 to 25 percent of the water should be changed each week and replaced with fresh, dechlorinated water. You shouldn't skip out on water changes, but don't disturb the filter after setting it up unless it clogs. Changing water prevents buildup of harmful substances and leaving the filter alone keeps beneficial bacteria in place.

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:49:18 GMT

found this off the web:

Common Name: Fire Belly Newt

Latin name: Cynops pyrrhogaster

Native to: Japan and parts of China

Size: up to 6 inches (japan version)

General appearance: Dark brown to black in color with the ventral (belly) side being orange or red with dark patches.

Housing requirements:

Enclosure: A semi-aquatic aquarium will be needed. Fire belly newts need to climb out of the water and have a land area to bask or hide. You can do this in different ways:

Dividing the tank in half using a piece of Plexiglas to create a dry and water area.
Add gravel and slope it out of the water to create a land spot.
Use rocks or platforms at the waters' surface for the fire belly newts to climb on to.

Whichever way is used, there should be 3-4 inches of water to swim in. A ratio of 1/3 land and 2/3 water is best. A submersible filter will be needed or water changes daily. A tight fitting top is needed because they can climb the walls and get out.

Temperature: Room temperature at 68° - 70° F seems to be fine for them.

Heat/Light: A normal fluorescent or incandescent aquarium light can be used during the day. Turn off the light at night to produce a natural setting.

Substrate: Large aquarium gravel should be used so it is not accidentally ingested. Plants, rocks, moss and wood can be used to create hiding areas and land portions.

Environment: Semi-aquatic

Diet: Fire belly newts will take live insects including crickets, wax worms, and bloodworms. Make sure the prey is small enough for the newt to eat it. Some will eat fish food such as shrimp pellets, brine shrimp, or turtle floating food sticks.

Maintenance: Water will need to be added if it starts to evaporate. The filter should be cleaned and rinsed every two weeks. Clean entire aquarium as needed. Handlers should always wash hands thoroughly after handling the fire belly newts or related products.

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:59:40 GMT

thanks,

P.S.

i gave some advice on most of your topics in the lizard lounge check it out

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:47:51 GMT

Feeder guppies are an important part of their diet. It shouldn't be substituted...

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:43:24 GMT

what about worms and nightcrawlers could you feed those instead of guppys

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:00:01 GMT

A 10 gallon is fine for up to four Chinese fire bellied newts (Cynops orientalis) or up to three Japanese fire bellied newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster).

You don't need a chiller unless you want to breed. (Chillers cost about $500.) But I was saying that they need cold water. No heaters or heat at all. 65*-75* F is a good temperature range for them.

Feed them every other day. I would give four feeder guppies once a week. Pellets (if your newt will take them) every other day. And insects every few days.

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:07:01 GMT

i would like to know how much to feed them

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:16:22 GMT

thanks, what fake plants do you suggest?

RE: fire belly newts

newtous — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:49:40 GMT

The set up should be mostly aquatic. Buy a decorative Repto filter. Make sure you get the big one thats shaped like a rock not the little green repto filter. Buy plenty of Naturally colored aquarium pebbles. Also buy some fake tree like plants. Start by putting the filter on one side. Then place gravel so that the tank is aquatic except for the end opposite the filter where the grave should make a very small beach. Place plants however you feel you should.

Ps. and make every day a newttastic day.

RE: fire belly newts

newtous — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:29:43 GMT

I have four chinese firebelly newts in a 20g tank. A 10g could house up to 4 but more like 2 to 3. You have a 15g so I would put 3 to 4 as a suitable amount.

Ps. I have 4 of the smaller species in a 20g NOT because its needed, but but cause my newts are spoiled.

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:01:09 GMT

i wouldnt put the two together who knows i heard these guys eat like crocs! (and fight for food like them)

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:43:54 GMT

i too would like to know where to get a chiller and this source has fire bellie and fire belly newts as well:

http://firebelliedtoad.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/can-fire-bellied-toads-and-newts-live-together/

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:37:46 GMT

also this source says that you can put fire bellies in it http://www.leesaqpet.com/component/content/article/1-latest/32-nuprod-20155

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:32:34 GMT

are you sure mine is like 24x18x12 and you can put water in it.
also what exactly is the water temp and where can you get a chiller

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:00:35 GMT

I Googled that Herp Habitat thing, and it is way too small. It is not even seven gallons. Way too small for a fire bellied newt. And not enough of a water part either, mainly land which is a no for these newts.

You don't need any heater at all. The only thing you might need is a chiller. Fire bellied newts (most newts actually) like their water very, very cold. No heat or light is needed, and may kill the newts.

You don't need substrate. Newts only like a very little bit of land, a turtle dock or peice of driftwood/cork bark is plenty. You want their cage to be about 85-90% water, 10-15% land. You can't put substrate on a turtle dock...

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:37:00 GMT

i have a heater and i hear that eco earth is the best substrate should the heater be in the water or in the dirt?

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:27:54 GMT

i have this tank that i have in storage called Herp Habitat II Bow-Front Terrarium i used when i had these american toad tads that i kept 5 adults in for the winter i dont have any pics but google it on images and you will find it. also do they need a water heater or any heat source ant what is a good substrate for the land part

RE: fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:30:01 GMT

cool, i have a 15 gallon tank

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:04:07 GMT

Oh yes! I forgot to add that.

And if you do get a fire bellied newt (or any newt), get a screen lid! They may not look it, but they are escape artists.

And Tim, that is a really nice Hong Kong newt.

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:01:36 GMT

do they like earth worms or night crawlers

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:59:31 GMT

1/2 to 2/3 is a good amount of water for them.

10 gallon is the minimum size for one to four.

They do best on their own, but can live together.

Males are fine together in one cage.

They eat feeder guppies, mealworms, Phoenix worms, crickets, roaches, wax worms, butter worms, silkworms, and some may eat newt & salamander pellets.

They need a water filled aqua-terrarium with a small peice of land. They have all the water they need.

RE: fire belly newts

Zoofew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:54:50 GMT

yes me two i would like to find out about them.
do they need a aquarium filled to almost top or a 2/3 water and 1/3 terrarium. do they do good in ten gals. can you put 2 together. can you put males together. can you feed them a full deit of worms. do they need water dishes.

RE: fire belly newts

Grant — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:52:23 GMT

I don't have a fire bellied newt, but I'll be getting one this spring or summer.

There are actually two species of fire bellied newts: Cynops orientalis, the Chinese fire bellied newt, and Cynops pyrrhogaster, the Japanese fire bellied newt. The Chinese will only get about four inches long, the Japanese gets about six. Also, the Japanese has rough skin that is bumpier than the Chinese's smooth skin.

The set up for each of these species is the same. A 10 gallon tank is fine for one to four newts of this species. You should have gravel or sand on the bottom for them so they have something to grip when the "bottom walk". I would fill up the tank about 1/2 way or more and put in a floating turtle dock for them to crawl onto. Add a filter in the water to keep it clean. Put in lots of live or fake plants for them to hide in. No lighting or heating is needed.

RE: fire belly newts

tspuckler — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:46:48 GMT

You can find a great deal of information and care sheets simply by doing a Google search of "Fire belly newt".

One of my Hong Kong Warty Newts:

fire belly newts

herpsrule13 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:10:56 GMT

hey, i am thinking on getting a firebelly newt

so i need to know what to put in the cage

it would really help if someone would post pics of their fire belly newt cages