Chinese Fire Belly Newts

[Arthas]

That is my tank set up

<a href="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944669361/" target="_blank">http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944669361/</a>

I've lowered the water at the minute, but it's almost the same; it's got about 4-5 inches of water in it. My tank is only 12x12x12" at the moment. I will get bigger as they get bigger though.

I couldn't tell if your newt was male or female from the photo sorry. But he/she looked nice

My japanese newt goes through phases of hiding in the plants, under the rock, in the rock, under the filter...

Wow,nice tank,but is my tanks water to low? About 2 inches.

And uhhh What angle should I take the picture of my newt from in order to tell the difference?

 

[Arthas]

My newt is acting strange....hes digging under the rocks alot. Is it just curiosity? Or is he looking for something? I feed him well,I give him about a whole bloodworm a day. Hes fat and plump. What should I do?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Take a photo of the newt from underneath or something like this...http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/ or something from the side like this http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945447196/

I have no idea about the diging bit; you are supposed to feed the newts every 2 or 3 days...I'm feeding every 2 days until they are both feeding well. The one that is eating regularly is having 3 of the frozen blood worms every two days. He just isn't interested after 3 worms.

 

[Arthas]

Take a photo of the newt from underneath or something like this...http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/ or something from the side like this [URL="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945447196/"]http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945447196/[/URL]

I have no idea about the diging bit; you are supposed to feed the newts every 2 or 3 days...I'm feeding every 2 days until they are both feeding well. The one that is eating regularly is having 3 of the frozen blood worms every two days. He just isn't interested after 3 worms.

My newt consumes alot. Anyways,I cant get a picture from below because I have rocks. I'll try and get a picture to the side.

Well an update; I managed to locate another one. This time a little girl. In the shop she was on the "land" in my tank she's went for the land; although she is hidden in a cave on land - however the cave has a little water in the bottom of it.

She seems a little smaller than the other one so I think she may be younger; I'll keep a close eye on them for the next couple of days.

Isaac (first newt) is still happily stomping around the bottom of his tank.

how i tell if mine is male or female? i heard something about the tail.

the only "real" differences are:
1, a "bump", on the male, where the tail meets the abdomen. (underside). sexual maturity, has a large effect on how obvious this is.
2, Females, providing they are well fed and healthy, are larger, possibly, more rounded.

the sexing of "japanese Firebellys", though, exhibit, similar traits. to the above. but, males have longer toes. and during the breeding season, exhibit colour change. grey/blue. specifically, on the tail.

I can see some bumps (at the base of the tail). Its hard too see,so does this mean that he is young? I got him 2 years ago on August 1st 2007.

 

[raptorrex]

I can see some bumps (at the base of the tail). Its hard too see,so does this mean that he is young? I got him 2 years ago on August 1st 2007.

He's mature. so , i would suggest he is out of season. the organs are more visible then. March-July, is said to be breeding season.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

If your newt has bumps I'd guess that is is male. As boboboy said he should be old enough to tell now.

Boboboy in your opinion is this newt male? http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/ It has lumps at the base of the tail but the tail isn't shaped like a males is (it's not a very good photo of the tail... http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)

 

[Arthas]

I can see some bumps (at the base of the tail). Its hard too see,so does this mean that he is young? I got him 2 years ago on August 1st 2007.

He's mature. so , i would suggest he is out of season. the organs are more visible then. March-July, is said to be breeding season.

So his time of breeding is done? I have to get more newts in order to breed? Or do I wait? And,does age matter when breeding newts? I was going to get a female newt today but it was raining so I couldnt.

 

[Arthas]

I also have another question; My newt sleeps in his plants,not the cave that I put in. He never went into the cave. Is it because he never saw it,or doesnt like it? And he stopped digging into the rocks a little less often.

 

[raptorrex]

If your newt has bumps I'd guess that is is male. As boboboy said he should be old enough to tell now.

Boboboy in your opinion is this newt male? [URL="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/"]http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/[/URL] It has lumps at the base of the tail but the tail isn't shaped like a males is (it's not a very good photo of the tail... [URL="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)"]http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)[/URL]

need to see, around breeding time. Male, i think.

I also have another question; My newt sleeps in his plants,not the cave that I put in. He never went into the cave. Is it because he never saw it,or doesnt like it? And he stopped digging into the rocks a little less often.

probably just happy where it is. i know they have favourite places. but they don't stay in one place long here.

 

[Arthas]

If your newt has bumps I'd guess that is is male. As boboboy said he should be old enough to tell now.

Boboboy in your opinion is this newt male? <a href="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/" target="_blank">http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/</a> It has lumps at the base of the tail but the tail isn't shaped like a males is (it's not a very good photo of the tail... <a href="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)" target="_blank">http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)</a>

need to see, around breeding time. Male, i think.

I also have another question; My newt sleeps in his plants,not the cave that I put in. He never went into the cave. Is it because he never saw it,or doesnt like it? And he stopped digging into the rocks a little less often.

probably just happy where it is. i know they have favourite places. but they don't stay in one place long here.

Ok,and umm,is there a way too tell age?

 

[Arthas]

Hey,can I put a guppy with my newt? My newt eats a small gel like squished blood worm with some nutrients. He doesnt eat the final stuff that comes out,which are the worms themselves. I know that a guppy will eat them,so can I put them in the same tank? Im worried that the guppy will take the newts food though.

 

[raptorrex]

Hey,can I put a guppy with my newt? My newt eats a small gel like squished blood worm with some nutrients. He doesnt eat the final stuff that comes out,which are the worms themselves. I know that a guppy will eat them,so can I put them in the same tank? Im worried that the guppy will take the newts food though.

thats a big no there good buddy! guppies are tropical. Chinese firebellys are not. 72f is as high as you should go with them. that does not mean, NO fish can be kept with them. they just need to be temperate!

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Apart from the temperature differences, these newts produce a poison which would probably kill the fish; and if the poison doesn't I'd imagine your newt may eat the fish.

 

[raptorrex]

Apart from the temperature differences, these newts produce a poison which would probably kill the fish; and if the poison doesn't I'd imagine your newt may eat the fish.

common myth i am afraid. you, or your stock, need to ingest some part of the newt before they become ill. you can wipe them all over you, avoiding mouth, eyes and cuts, with no ill effect. the "poison" water is oft quoted. but as the newts are not immune to their own poison, it makes little sense. it also has no factual standing.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Ok; I thought I read it somewhere about poisoning other fish. I knew about the human impact.

Ignore what I said then

If your newt has bumps I'd guess that is is male. As boboboy said he should be old enough to tell now.

Boboboy in your opinion is this newt male? <a href="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/" target="_blank">http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3945459808/</a> It has lumps at the base of the tail but the tail isn't shaped like a males is (it's not a very good photo of the tail... <a href="http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)" target="_blank">http/www.flickr.com/photos/dipsydoodlenoodle/3944681173/)</a>

need to see, around breeding time. Male, i think.

sorry I just noticed your reply. I also "think" male but I'm not too sure. I will check back come breeding season. Like I said I'm not fussed I'd just like to associate it with a gender so I don't feel guilty calling it a him or a her when it's not. (I do however call both of my female budgies boys )