Features of caring for newts – interesting amphibians in an aquarium

Fascinating animals, newts can give your aquarium a distinctive touch. These little amphibians are popular among aquarists looking for an alternative to fish because of their eye-catching appearance and lively personalities.

In an aquarium, taking care of newts differs slightly from taking care of fish. When it comes to food, habitat, and water conditions, they have unique requirements. But maintaining a happy and healthy newt requires some attention to detail, and it can be worthwhile.

The unique needs of newts can help ensure their success in their aquatic habitat, regardless of your level of experience with amphibians. These fascinating creatures can have long, fulfilling lives if given the proper care.

Description

Newts are found all over the world. They are found in the humid forests of Europe, Asia, North America, and South America.

The amphibian has a distinct look for the separation.

The body measures between 10 and 12 centimeters. Newts in aquariums have unique colors. People appear defiant because of their particular color (which ranges from light green to brown). They have a yellow or orange abdomen.

The head has an orange stripe running along it. Half of the body’s length is made up of the tail. The texture of a newt’s skin varies depending on its species. Membranes are present on paws with developed fingers. The amphibian actively moves through the water with their assistance. There is a comb that extends from the head to the tail, and it is particularly noticeable when an individual is breeding.

Types of newts in the aquarium

There are roughly ten distinct categories of people. The salamander and the aquatic newt are direct relatives. Their sizes and colors are different from one another. Certain newt species possess characteristics that serve as a means of defense.

The length of a common newt is up to 11 centimeters. Among these amphibians, it is the most prevalent variety. The body can have a variety of colors. The majority of this species can be identified by their light-brown back and yellow belly. There are two black longitudinal stripes on the head. There are bumps or smooth skin.

The tips of its ribs are what gave rise to the name "spiky newt." On the body’s sides, they protrude. This characteristic functions as a safeguard. During an attack, the animal uses its poisonous "thorns" to help attack the victim. The body has a brown hue. There are orange-red dots on the abdomen. An adult is between 20 and 23 centimeters in length. The primary distinction from members of other species is the capacity to live both on land and in the water. Morocco and Portugal are habitats.

The crested newt can grow up to 18 centimeters in length. The body can have a dark or black-brown color. During the mating season, individuals of this species can be clearly seen to have combs. On the tail of males, a comb also grows. Women don’t have this kind of feature. There are black dots on an orange abdomen.

The body of the marbled newt is a pale green hue. The individual has a marble-like texture due to patches of an ambiguous texture on the sides. There are numerous, easily noticeable white spots on the abdomen. Its body length is up to eighteen centimeters. The orange stripe that extends from the head to the tail is the primary characteristic.

Typical Spiny Newt, Marbled Crested

How to care for a newt

Taking care of newts at home is not difficult. You can shield amphibians from illnesses and other problems by adhering to a few guidelines.

• The minimum permissible volume of water is 15-20 liters per individual. When breeding a group of newts, it is worth considering that they love space.
• It is necessary to keep a newt at a temperature of 20-22 degrees. The habitat in which they will live should be created the same as in the wild. Since amphibians are cold-blooded animals, a drop in temperature has a painful effect on their condition.
• The acidity level of water should not exceed 8 ph.
• Water hardness should be at the level of 10-12 dGH.
• Care should be taken when choosing lighting, since heating of water should be avoided. Fluorescent lamps are best suited.
• When choosing soil, you need to pay attention to its fractions. They should be slightly larger than the head of the amphibian, since the individual can swallow a stone along with food.
• In summer, it is necessary to cool the water, since the air temperature rises noticeably. You can buy a special device in a pet store. A budget option is to cool the tank with bottles of ice.
• When arranging an aquarium, it is recommended to take care of land areas that amphibians love so much.
• Water filtration is carried out every few days. Change about 20-30% of the water weekly.
• Keeping newts, as well as further reproduction, is recommended if there are live aquarium plants in the tank. The female lays offspring on algae leaves. During the development process, the eggs need shade, which artificial plants cannot create.

What do newts eat

Every aquarist who has kept amphibians in a tank has dealt with the issue of what newts eat.

It is recommended to feed every other day. Bloodworms, tiny fish, or crushed earthworms make good food. You can also use minced fish or liver gruel. For newts, this will be the best choice.

It’s important to supplement amphibians’ diets with different trace elements and minerals in order to keep them looking healthy. You must purchase artificial food for frogs that is enhanced with calcium and other beneficial ingredients from a pet store. People don’t eat plants, so you shouldn’t be concerned about their integrity.

Since they are actively growing and eating, newly hatched babies should be fed every day. The amount of protein consumed daily must be considered when planning a diet. You can feed on tiny crustaceans or insects while you’re growing. Giving the babies bloodworms and more bloodworms is advised once they have grown a little.

Giving the newt food with tweezers is preferable to putting it in water. Uneaten remnants eventually sink to the bottom and contaminate the tank.

How long do newts live

Experience has shown that people live much longer at home. This is because, because of their small size, animals kept in captivity have a lot of enemies. They have a ten-year lifespan in the wild. Seven years is the average life expectancy.

Newt fish can live up to 20 years in aquariums. Pets need to get the care they need to live long lives.

Since many bodies of water are contaminated by human activity, their population in the wild is continuously declining. The Red Book contains listings for a few of the species.

Wintering

It is important to remember that the newt is going through a wintering period when caring for these amphibians. It is usually dormant during this period. The end of October or the first part of November mark the start of this time frame. The common newt searches for a place to hibernate, where it spends two weeks. Fifteen degrees is the ideal temperature during this time.

A comfortable habitat with clean, well-filtered water, appropriate hiding places, and a balanced diet of live or frozen food like worms and insects are all important parts of caring for newts in aquariums. In order for these amphibians to flourish, it is imperative to set up a semi-aquatic tank with the right temperature and humidity levels. They can be kept happy and healthy in their special habitat with regular water changes and behavior and health monitoring.

Reproduction of newts

Newt reproduction is an easy process. Following the wintering season, the male exhibits a marked increase in activity. This indicates that the male is ready to procreate after reaching sexual maturity. People of different genders are now combined into a single tank. Reproduction at home won’t require much time or work because this species is thought to reproduce fairly easily. Animals mate in the springtime. The female is internally fertilized by a male to initiate the process.

There needs to be enough plants in a separate tank where the pregnant female is kept. She will then start laying her eggs in their leaves. After conception, new individuals will hatch about 30 days later. They will start to resemble adults in a few more months.

The aquarium’s water temperature must be lowered during breeding.

How to determine the sex

The sex can be ascertained in a few different ways. It is important to take other aspects into account in addition to physiological traits.

Observing the animals during mating games is one of the most successful methods. How much more active the man is.

His physiology indicates that the male is marginally bigger than the female. The head of the male is larger than the female’s. A white and blue stripe that extends to the tail can be seen on the male’s back.

The male specimen shimmers in various colors during reproduction. On occasion, the comb has a pearlescent sheen. This characteristic is absent in the female.

Compatibility of newts with fish

It can be difficult to keep newts and fish in the same aquarium. This is because most tropical fish require temperatures above 23 degrees to survive. At home, newts prefer temperatures between +20 C. Greater fish species, like goldfish, guppies, and neon, are good for joint upkeep. Animals’ mouths will not be able to accommodate them.

Diseases

Digestive system issues can be linked to certain diseases. When soil is eaten or fed improperly, they happen. Another important factor is the existence of parasites in food. They induce pneumonia in the animal once they get inside its body.

Fungal diseases affecting the body’s external tissues can affect aquarium newts. Mucorosis is the most prevalent issue of this kind.

Sepsis is the most prevalent illness. It manifests as a result of microbes getting into the amphibian’s blood. An animal may develop dropsy, which is an accumulation of fluid in the tissues, if it is not fed properly.

Taking care of newts in an aquarium may be a gratifying and entertaining endeavor. These unusual amphibians have particular requirements, but if you pay attention to their food and habitat, they can flourish and add a lot of life to your tank.

It’s crucial to keep the water clean, offer a healthy diet, and make sure the habitat is cozy. Keep an eye on their health and behavior to identify any problems early. Newts can remain active and healthy with the right care.

Newts are amazing animals that can live long, happy lives in your aquarium if you take the proper care of them. An interesting dynamic is added by them that many aquarium enthusiasts find pleasing.

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