Fact Sheet - Chinese Firebelied Newts as pets

The Firebellied Newt ( Cynops ) is a native to China and Japan. The Chinese firebellied newt is the "orientalis ".They are black or dark brown with a bright red or yellow belly being their only colour markings. Their markings serve as a warning to preditors when they are living in the wild.
Chinese Firebellied Newts are easy to come accross and straight forward to look after. They require no specialised care regime. This makes them a very good choice for the first time anphibian owner.

Size - They are approximately 6-10cms in length and have a fairly smooth skin surface. The orange colouring on their belly tends to appear quite blotchy.
Environment - They are largely aquatic when in the wild so you will need to provide them with a water environment as well as some land area. They often enjoy quite long periods of time on land areas.
For three or four Chinese Firebellied Newts you will need a tank of at least 20 galon size. By piling gravel at one end the land area can be created. Alternatively section off an area for water. Bark and rock can be arranged so that a land area can be created if preferred. They will need about one third land to two thirds water area.
They require bark, rocks and moss so they can have places to hide. This emulates their natural habitat and reduces their element of stress if they can choose to hide if they want.
Line the tank with smooth gravel
Lighting - They need 12-14 daylight hours and must be given a day / night cycle. They do not need any special lighting, a flurescent light is sufficient.
Temperature - Firebellied Newts require temperatures of 68-70F. They are happier in these cooler climates. They tend to get stressed and suffer infections if they are kept in temperatures over 75F.
Tank Care - The water will need to be changed every week or two. No more than a third of the total volume of water should be changed at any one time. The water should be dechlorinated. Provide the tank with an air filter to ansure adequate ventilation.
Feeding - They eat blood worms, chopped earthworms, bone shrimp and gass shrimp. You could try them with floating sticks available at pet stores but some it depends on the newts whether they like them. They only require feeding every 2-3 days. If you newts does not appear to be growing try increasing the frequency of your feeding regime. Likewise, if they are storing too much body fat, reduce the feeding frequency. As you get to know your Chinese Firebellied Newts you will learn their prefered feeding pattern.
Breeding - The female keeps her eggs until she is ready to lay them. If you have acquired one female she could therefore produce some young when she is ready to do so catching you totally off guard ! She will lay multiple eggs but do so at one time. When the egg hatches, the tadpole must be removed from the tank as the other newts, including the mother will eat it
The male will have a swollen vent and tail when ready to mate.
Warning - Their glands secrete toxins and can be a cause of irritant to your skin as well as some other animals. These poison glands are located on the side of their heads.
Lifespan - They can live 5-10 years
Sociability - They thrive in groups and although they are not known to be aggressive to other fish it is advisable to keep them in groups of newts. Do not keep with Firebellied Toads as they thrive in higher temperatures.
Handling - This causes the newt to suffer stress so they should not be handled unless absolutely necessary. Human skin oil may have a negative efect on them although their toxins are not known to be poisonous to man. If handling ensure correct hand washing before and after dealing with them.

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