Chinese firebelly newt question, are they still sold

[bugmankeith]

I remember no shorter than 2 years ago, and longer, Chinese firebelly newts were sold by the tank full in every pet store. Now, it's been 2 years and haven't seen 1 being sold! What happened, have they been banned now? I thought they were all WC and shipped to the US, at least that's the rumor I heard.

 

[dtknow]

Pet store near me still has them. I think the real reason is that they simply tend to die so stores stopped carrying them.

Chinese firebellies(and most other newts) are actually very tough animals, but go through incredible abuse when WC(which all pet store newts are! No one currently breeds newts in wholesale quantities). Not to mention the environmental considerations. I am an anti WC fanatic but I'll admit I am kind of glad they are not so commonly sold as it definetly wasn't sustainable.

However, captive bred newts make excellent captives. If you want to find a breeder, LMK. Actually, I have some Spanish ribbed newts available right now which are a neat not to mention hardy species.

 

[bugmankeith]

I have a male chinese firebelly that is 12 years old and still doing great, he was very ill when I purchased him as a kid and so small and thin, I got him and another newt at Petland 11 years ago, but he killed the other newt days after purchase and ever since than has been living by himself. He is very healthy now and super colorful! But I could see from most of them sold that not many were very healthy.

You can see him here- http://www.zootoo.com/photo/carol?OXxufDM1MTM4MHxufG58MA==

 

[dtknow]

Agreed.

Interesting that he(hard to tell in that photo) killed another newt...are you sure? I've never seen any signs of agression even when two males are vying for the attention of a female.

I would look around for someone with LTC they are looking to get rid of. After having pretty bad luck with petstore newts(1/4) I got some from someone who was looking to get rid of them. This group did great for years and produced lots of babies before I gave them to someone else.

I would highly reccomend Cynops ensicauda popei...the Japanese gold dust/swordtail newt. They Have white flecking and broken orange lines on their dorsal side as well as brilliant orange bellies. Tolerant of warm temperatures(gets to low 80's in Okinawa where they live).

 

[bugmankeith]

He bit the other newt and I thought nothing of it, but when I came back hours later the other newt was dead underwater with a few small chunks of flesh ripped off of it, it had white sores where the skin was ripped. I dont think it died of the injuries, but possibly drowned or was too weak after to reach the water surface. When I came down I quickly took it out and put it on moist moss to see if it was alive, but after an hour of no movement I knew it had died.

The weaker newt was shedding, so perhaps my newt tried to eat the shed skin but was too rough or very hungry, this is when I first got him so he hadnt eaten properly yet.

 

[dtknow]

Doubt he killed the other newt it sounds like it was on its way out already...many newly purchased newts die of sores you described. These creatures are tough when in good condition and especially when hungry bite each other all the time. Bits of tail/toes/feet getting ripped off during feeding accidents aren't unheard of(they tend to deathroll or shake and then realize it is not food and let go after the other newt struggles to escape...luckily if a newt is in good condition missing parts will grow back). One spanish ribbed newt I have right now had her rear leg dislocated and turned around in a feeding accident that I did not see, it looks like it was put on backwards. Doesn't affect her at all.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

I'm starting to see to see them more often in pet stores and think it's a real shame. Our Petco had a huge shipment of them and they all had textbook ranavirus; my boyfriend got one as a freebie and brought it to me thinking it would be treatable. All I can say is, I hope I never have to deal with ranavirus again; it's bad enough on frogs but it's vicious on newts!

I have one firebelly, a little young'in. Got him also as a pet store freebie because he was missing his front legs. They've since regrown and I think he's a great little dude. Fun species, but I really don't agree with them being WC and sold casually in pet stores considering that so few wind up in qualified homes and most will die vastly premature of their potential lifespan.

 

[dtknow]

ranavirus? Do you mean chytrid?

I think most of them have some kind of oppurtunistic bacteria that causes those sores. They can occasionally heal but usually the newts die, either before or after they start literally falling apart(have heard of newts legs coming off etc.)

Dealers often keep them too warm(often heard of people using heatlamps/hotrocks) and offer improper/no food.(crickets, freeze dried, "Newt Bites" might work for a well settled captive newt but live blackworms are the best for getting finicky newts to eat)

Thats why supporting those who breed these in captivity is so important. If you want a newt please buy from a breeder.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

No, I did mean ranavirus; its pathogenicity is not restricted to frogs according to the most current literature, and after sharing photos and discussions on amphibian forums and reviewing the symptoms, it seemed extremely likely that this was the cause of the animal's symptoms.

 

[bugmankeith]

My newt hates pellets and doesnt eat crickets anymore. He does enjoy blackworms,earthworms,bloodworms,brine shrimp,and once in a while daphnia.

I do feel bad they are taken from the wild, my guy would have been a stud with the females.

 

[dtknow]

Interesting. I was not aware of that disease affecting captive amphibs. Though I would hesitate to throw the name around. Only if you had it diagnosed by lab work.

One frequent ailment for these purchased firebellies is bloat due to kidney failure from overheating or dehydration also.

BugmanKeith: Well if you ever want a female, or are interested in possibly getting other neat kinds of newts caudata.org is the place to check out.