Warty Newt Care: A Low-Maintenance Wonder for Your Aquarium

Low-Maintenance Wonder for Your Aquarium: A Perfect Choice for Enthusiasts

summarizeEditor's Summary

As an amphibian enthusiast, I've had the pleasure of caring for a warty newt for over 10 years. These unique pets have been a delight to watch, and I'm impressed by their adaptability to both aquatic and terrestrial environments. With proper care, newts can thrive in a well-maintained aquarium, making them a great choice for hobbyists. I've found that the warty newt is relatively low-maintenance, easy to feed, and requires minimal space. However, it's essential to provide a suitable environment that mimics their natural habitat. I've learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn't, so I'm excited to share my experience with you. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just starting out, I highly recommend the warty newt as a fascinating and rewarding pet.

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I've had this unusual pet, a type of amphibian, for over 10 years now. I got it from a kind stranger who left it with us before a long trip. They forgot to pick it up when they moved to another city, and I'm glad they did!

A Little Biology:

Newts belong to the class amphibians, sub-class tailless, order caudata amphibians. They're part of the following families: true salamanders, legless salamanders, and hellbenders. But here's the thing: newts are not frogs or lizards – they spend their lives in two environments: water and land.

The warty newt (Pleurodeles waltl) has a brown color with orange-red spots of an uncertain shape. Its belly is a yellow-brown color with small black spots. An adult newt can grow up to 23 cm in length. Unlike most of its relatives, adult warty newts can lead both a land and a water lifestyle and thrive in natural and artificial water bodies, as well as in damp ditches. Its habitat includes Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.

Here's our newt in all its glory

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To care for such an unusual pet, you'll need:

1. An aquarium.

Newts are relatively inactive creatures that don't require a lot of space. They spend most of their time in one position, occasionally wiggling one of their four legs. So, an aquarium is sufficient for them.

It's best to use a horizontal aquarium. A minimum of 10 liters of water is required for one newt to live comfortably.

Our newt is 21cm long, and our aquarium is 36*47*25 cm.

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We fill the aquarium with water up to half the height, as they might try to escape if the water level is too high. With 25 liters of water in the aquarium, it's more than enough for our newt.

2. Decorations.

You can get creative with decorations – use whatever catches your eye, like seashells, plants, pebbles, locks, and more. Our newt doesn't care what we put in there; he just needs a spot where he can hide if he wants or needs to.

3. Substrate

We've managed without it so far, but if you want to add some, make sure it's not too fine-grained – our newt might accidentally swallow it.

4. Land area

I've heard it's a good idea, but our newt has never even tried to come out of the water.

5. Water.

We use regular tap water that's been left to stand for a while.

6. Net

In case you need to catch the little guy.

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7. Sump pump

Our setup is super simple

What to feed him

Our newt loves to munch on brine shrimp. You can also try feeding him snails, earthworms, aquarium krill, leeches, slugs, springtails, and more. He eats very little, so it's not a big deal to feed him only a few times a week.

Our newt eats about half a teaspoon of brine shrimp every three to five days. Why the variation? Well, ideally, you'd feed him every three days, but he just won't eat! Feeding him every five days, on the other hand, seems to work just fine.

I've set up a separate 'restaurant' for feeding our newt - a five-liter bottle that's been cut down to size so it doesn't clutter up the aquarium with molly remains. We scoop him up with a net and plop him into the bottle, which is filled with water, along with some previously thawed and warmed-up molly. We feed him in small portions, as he's a bit picky and only eats the molly as it falls to the bottom of the aquarium. He's not exactly ravenous, to put it mildly. After his meal, he heads back to his cozy little home.

U The newt doesn't require much maintenance - just regular feeding and water changes in the aquarium. He's not social and doesn't need attention. In fact, if you try to pick him up, he gets stressed out and overheats from the human touch.

Since we don't feed him in the aquarium, the water stays relatively clean for a long time. We only need to change it every month or so, and it's not like it becomes a toxic soup or anything. Cleaning the aquarium is a breeze, except for the decorations, which eventually start to get covered in algae.

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Life expectancy.

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In the wild, these guys can live up to 10 years. The average lifespan is around 7 years. In captivity, newts can live for around 20 years.

Impressions

This little guy is a real conversation starter! Guests love checking him out.

Is he a low-maintenance pet? You bet! He's quiet, hassle-free, and a great value for money.

The only sound you'll hear is the occasional gentle clinking of the shells at night (if you have any in the aquarium).

Taking care of a newt is a breeze - no fuss, no muss!

One thing to note is that it's not super social, so if you're looking for a pet that'll follow you around the house, this might not be the best choice. But if you're looking for something low-key, this is a great option.

It's worth noting that kids might get bored with it pretty quickly, so it's not the best choice for families. But if you're an adult looking for a pet that'll keep you company, I'd definitely recommend giving this a shot!

So, if you're thinking of getting a pet, make sure you choose one that you'll actually enjoy taking care of - it makes all the difference!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What is the ideal environment for a warty newt?

A well-maintained aquarium with a temperature range of 15-20°C (59-68°F) and a pH range of 6.5-7.5 is ideal for a warty newt. It's also essential to provide a suitable hiding place and a varied diet.

How often should I feed my warty newt?

Warty newts are carnivorous and require a varied diet. It's best to feed them 2-3 times a week, with a mix of live and frozen foods.

Can I keep multiple warty newts together?

It's not recommended to keep multiple warty newts together, as they can be territorial and may fight. It's best to keep them separate or in a large aquarium with plenty of hiding places.

How long do warty newts live?

Warty newts can live for many years, typically between 10-15 years in captivity, with proper care and a suitable environment.

Can I handle my warty newt?

It's best to observe your warty newt from a distance, as they can be quite skittish and may not enjoy being handled. If you must handle it, make sure to wash your hands first and support its body carefully.

What are the signs of stress in a warty newt?

Warty newts can exhibit stress by hiding, not eating, or displaying abnormal behavior. If you notice any of these signs, it's essential to provide a suitable environment and adjust their care accordingly.

Can I keep a warty newt in a small aquarium?

It's not recommended to keep a warty newt in a small aquarium, as they require space to move and thrive. A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended.

What are the common health issues in warty newts?

Warty newts can be prone to respiratory issues, skin problems, and parasites. Regular water changes, a balanced diet, and proper care can help prevent these issues.

check_circlePros

•The warty newt is relatively inexpensive to care for, with a simple diet and minimal space requirements.
•It's incredibly easy to care for, even for beginners, making it a great choice for those new to amphibian keeping.
•The newt's adaptability to both water and land environments makes it a fascinating pet to watch.
•With proper care, the warty newt can live for many years, making it a long-term companion.
•It's relatively quiet and calm, making it a great choice for those who live in apartments or have noise restrictions.
•The warty newt is relatively small, making it easy to care for and maintain in a well-maintained aquarium.

cancelCons

•The warty newt can be quite skittish and may not enjoy being handled, so it's best to observe it from a distance.
•It requires a suitable environment that mimics its natural habitat, which can be challenging to replicate.
•The newt's diet can be quite specific, and it may require a varied diet to stay healthy.
•It's essential to provide a suitable hiding place for the newt, as it can be stressed by open spaces.
•The warty newt may require some time to acclimate to its new environment, so patience is essential.
•It's crucial to research and understand the newt's specific needs before bringing it home.