Is the Chinese fire-belly newt poisonous? Understanding its toxicity correctly

The Chinese fire-belly newt, also known as the Chinese fire dragon, is an amphibian of the order Caudata, family Salamandridae, genus Cynops. Its upper skin is black and bumpy, while its underside is orange-red with black spots. Most are kept as ornamental newts. Because it contains tetrodotoxin, it must not be eaten or fed to other animals. It can be used in medicine, chiefly to remove dampness and relieve itching, and to clear heat and relieve pain. Let us take a look below at whether the Chinese fire-belly newt is poisonous!

Is the Chinese fire-belly newt poisonous?

The Chinese fire-belly newt is poisonous. As early as the 1930s, an experimental embryologist discovered that a very strong toxin exists in the eggs and embryos of newts. If newt embryonic tissue is transplanted into a fire salamander, the latter will become paralyzed, though it fully recovers after a few days. In 1963, a professor at Stanford University isolated this toxin from newts for the first time and named it tarichatoxin, which was later proven to be the same substance as tetrodotoxin.

Can the Chinese fire-belly newt be eaten?

The Chinese fire-belly newt cannot be eaten. The Chinese fire-belly newt is brightly colored and cute in appearance, and closely resembles the “giant salamander,” but because it is itself poisonous, it can only be kept for viewing and is not recommended as a pet to be raised. At the same time, the Chinese fire-belly newt has been included in the “List of Terrestrial Wild Animals under State Protection That Are Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Research Value,” issued by China's State Forestry Administration on August 1, 2000.

What does the Chinese fire-belly newt eat?

The Chinese fire-belly newt likes environments with high humidity, inhabiting still waters such as mountain ponds or paddy fields, as well as slower-flowing sections of mountain streams. It mainly feeds on mosquito larvae, aquatic earthworms, water fleas, breadworms, and small fish. It moves slowly, and when short of oxygen it often sticks its head above the water surface to breathe in large gulps. It is widely distributed in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong and others.

How do you keep a Chinese fire-belly newt?

1. The Chinese fire-belly newt is a relatively large pet, so you should prepare a large glass fish tank for it. This gives the Chinese fire-belly newt enough space to move around and also makes it convenient for the family to view it.

2. Build a good ecological environment for the Chinese fire-belly newt. First, spread a layer of clean gravel and crushed stone on the bottom of the fish tank, and add well water 30 cm deep. Then put in a small amount of hornwort or aquatic plants. The sand and gravel can absorb the droppings and dirt excreted by the Chinese fire-belly newt, while the aquatic plants can carry out photosynthesis, raising the dissolved oxygen content in the water.

3. The water used to keep the Chinese fire-belly newt is best clean pond water. Of course, well water or tap water can also be chosen, but well water and tap water need to be exposed to sunlight for 3 to 5 days to remove the chlorine contained in the water before they can be used to keep the Chinese fire-belly newt.

4. The water used to keep the Chinese fire-belly newt needs to be changed regularly: once every 15 days in winter, and once every 3 to 5 days in spring, summer and autumn.

5. The Chinese fire-belly newt likes to eat small live animals. Aquatic earthworms, small tadpoles, mosquito larvae, and water fleas are all foods it likes. Of course, you can also buy frozen shrimp at the supermarket, thaw them, cut them into small pieces and feed them to the newt.