Spanish Ribbed Newts are the biggest European Salamander. They are a large and robust newt with a flattened appearance allowing it to squeeze into tight crevices. When threatened it deploys sharp ribs out of it’s spine in defence so handling is best kept to a minimum and hands should be washed in tank water prior.
These newts can be kept almost completely aquatic, if floating islands are provided. Cork bark is perfect due to its natural buoyancy and gives the newts something to climb on to.
A large glass terrarium of around 90cm in length is advisable due to the size the newts can reach, but expensive heating or lighting equipment is not necessary. Like with all amphibians a low percentage UVB light via an overhead canopy or internal fitting is advisable.
A water temperature of 10-22°C should be maintained year around. Tap water must be treated with a good quality dechlorinator and filtered to avoid the build-up of ammonia and harmful bacteria.
Smooth gravel or river sand is ideal as a base substrate, along with an array of woods, rocks and aquatic plants for décor.
Adults feed voraciously two to three times a week on a range of live and frozen food, including earthworms, blood worm, shrimp and tubifex. Juvenile newts should be fed daily on suitably sized food items.
Use a good quality dusting powder to provide essential calcium and vitamins to your newts. This can be tricky with largely aquatic animals, so ensure you feed a varied diet and where possible ensure all your insects are well gut loaded before feeding them to your animals.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 10 - 22 Celsius
PH: 6.5 - 7.5 PH
Carbonate Hardness: 4 - 8 DKH
General Hardness: 7 - 14 GDH
Spanish Ribbed Newts are the biggest European Salamander. They are a large and robust newt with a flattened appearance allowing it to squeeze into tight crevices. When threatened it deploys sharp ribs out of it’s spine in defence so handling is best kept to a minimum and hands should be washed in tank water prior.
These newts can be kept almost completely aquatic, if floating islands are provided. Cork bark is perfect due to its natural buoyancy and gives the newts something to climb on to.
A large glass terrarium of around 90cm in length is advisable due to the size the newts can reach, but expensive heating or lighting equipment is not necessary. Like with all amphibians a low percentage UVB light via an overhead canopy or internal fitting is advisable.
A water temperature of 10-22°C should be maintained year around. Tap water must be treated with a good quality dechlorinator and filtered to avoid the build-up of ammonia and harmful bacteria.
Smooth gravel or river sand is ideal as a base substrate, along with an array of woods, rocks and aquatic plants for décor.
Adults feed voraciously two to three times a week on a range of live and frozen food, including earthworms, blood worm, shrimp and tubifex. Juvenile newts should be fed daily on suitably sized food items.
Use a good quality dusting powder to provide essential calcium and vitamins to your newts. This can be tricky with largely aquatic animals, so ensure you feed a varied diet and where possible ensure all your insects are well gut loaded before feeding them to your animals.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 10 - 22 Celsius
PH: 6.5 - 7.5 PH
Carbonate Hardness: 4 - 8 DKH
General Hardness: 7 - 14 GDH
Image 1 of 5
Image 2 of 5
Image 3 of 5
Image 4 of 5
Image 5 of 5
