How to Keep Chinese Fire-bellied Newts? Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Precautions

The Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) has a wild body length of about 10 cm, and 6 to 8 cm in captivity. It has well-developed ear glands and no red spots behind the eyes. Although it looks very similar in appearance to the Japanese red-bellied newt, this species is a small species with a total length of 90 mm. Most are ornamental newts. Because they contain tetrodotoxin, they must not be eaten or fed to other animals. Let's take a look below at how to keep Chinese fire-bellied newts!

Living Habits of the Chinese Fire-bellied Newt

The Chinese fire-bellied newt likes environments with high humidity. It inhabits still waters such as mountain ponds or paddy fields, as well as slower-flowing areas 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 distributed in central and eastern China, and is widely found in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong and other provinces.

Breeding Methods of the Chinese Fire-bellied Newt

1. The egg-laying period of the Chinese fire-bellied newt is from March to April, with the most eggs laid in May. Because room temperature is often higher than the temperature in nature, indoor-kept Chinese fire-bellied newts lay eggs about one month earlier, from February to March. When the average temperature is above 10°C, the big-bellied female newts begin to lay eggs, with April as the peak period, after which it gradually decreases.

2. The Chinese fire-bellied newt has internal fertilization. During courtship, the male newt constantly swims around behind the female, touches the female's cloacal opening with the tip of its snout, and at the same time bends its tail forward and shakes it rapidly. After successful courtship, the female follows the male, and the male then releases a milky-white spermatophore, which quickly sinks to the bottom. At this point, the female touches the front end of the spermatophore with her cloacal opening and slowly takes the sperm inside, storing it in the oviduct. Afterward, the sperm will fertilize the egg cells inside the oviduct.

3. To lay eggs, the female newt first selects a leaf of an aquatic plant in the water, then uses her hind limbs to fold the leaf together. After repeating this several times, she finally rolls the flat leaf into a fold and wraps it around the cloacal opening. She stays still for 3 to 5 minutes, and the fertilized egg is then laid and wrapped inside the leaf. After laying an egg, the female newt lies down at the bottom, rests for a moment, then floats up again to continue laying. Generally, only one egg is laid each time.

4. The fertilized egg is the starting point of new life. Under suitable conditions of water, oxygen and temperature, the fertilized egg undergoes repeated regular division, and the egg becomes a small tadpole. After 2 to 3 days, the tadpole first grows a pair of front limbs, and later grows hind limbs. After 3 to 4 months, the larva completes its development and becomes a newt.

How to Keep Chinese Fire-bellied Newts?

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

2. Build a good ecological environment for the Chinese fire-bellied 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 gravel and crushed stone can absorb the feces and dirt excreted by the Chinese fire-bellied newt, while the aquatic plants can carry out photosynthesis and increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water.

3. The water for keeping Chinese fire-bellied newts 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 Chinese fire-bellied newts.

4. The water for keeping Chinese fire-bellied newts needs to be changed regularly. In winter, change it once every 15 days, while in spring, summer and autumn, changing it once every 3-5 days is enough.

5. The Chinese fire-bellied newt likes to eat live small 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 and cut them into small pieces to feed the newts.