Mike’s Fish Tank – Newts & Salemanders

Newts and salamanders are easy to care for. Here are general guidelines applicable to most newts, also known as caudates.Keep enclosures below 72 degrees F. Newts like live foods, insects and crustaceans. Freeze dried bloodworms are anotherfood that is easily accepted.

Most newts usually eat every third day, although larger animals may eat more often.For aquatic caudates, treat the water with a chlorine removing substance. Doing a water change of 10% weekly is a good idea.Most newts prefer still water, so try to avoid a current. If you use a cage substrate, choose sand or gravel that is too large for themto swallow. Terrestrial salamanders should have a top soil or shredded bark substrate. Do not use peat moss. Provide these animals  with a hiding place such as a rock, cork bark or dry leaves. Don’t mix species of caudates and don’t mix them with fish.Provide an island made from rocks or a floating pad. Newts need a place to dry out.Newts and salamanders are great escape artists, so be sure that there is a screen and that it has a tight fit. Go to www.caudataculture.org for care sheets.

Pets A Plenty is located on Rte 281 Cortland, in the Blockbuster Video Plaza. We are open 7 days a week.