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Anybody know any good sites for details on newts? more specifically firebelly newts? i'm looking to setup a tank, know alot of details. i'm just hearing mixed answers of if they can climb out of tanks or not

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Here's a link for you. It does state that they are great escape artists.

http://www.centralpets.com/animals/reptiles/salamanders/sal2541.html

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I can tell you from experience that the little slimers can climb up glass walls without any problems, a secure lid is a must. Feeding can be a pain, live black worms, small crickets and wingless fruit flys worked for me. Duck weed for top cover, and a piece of floating cork for a little basking island are both good to have. Besides that I advise against underwater caves and gravel that creates spaces enough for them to fit their heads in(or small enough to eat), as they can (and often do) get stuck. You have to really have a passion for the little guys to keep them as I have found them to be newts of very little brains, who are to adventurous for their own good.

Alright, nobody lose their head here, and i am not trying to change the topic.... but...

I have always wondered if i could have a newt in my fishtank? I have always loved newts (but fish more), and i know that newts need some above water land, but are there any newts that strictly stay underwater and can coexist with fish?

If not... i might have to buy a seperate tank and get a newt! I think they are interesting creatures.

I thought about using a thin layer of sand as my substrate and using pvc pipe for caves in side.

but ok, i'll have to get some screen then to make the rest more secure. because i'm going with glass tops on the tank. luckily i have a canister filter to use on this instead of an OTB.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Fish and newts are a pretty bad combo, primarily becaise of feeding issues, the newts often have troubles competing with fish. Like with adf 's and other amphibians the constant movement throws their senses off. All totally aquatic newts like axos and mudpuppies etc tend to be that combination of predatory and have vulnerable gill organs. Mostly , keeping amphibians with fish is complete folly, there are just too many problems.

Lots of people try it , and usually one species fails to thrive , either the fish or more usually the amphibian. Its just something most keepers learn not to bother with. Even when you achieve a balance, the results really arent that exciting, and its almost never worth the risk to the animals health.