Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus)
Amphibians · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) (origin: South-western China (Yunnan, Guizhou)). Adult size around 8–11 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×30×30 cm, two thirds water.
Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 16–22 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 12–17 °C.
Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 16–22 °C
- Night temperature
- 12–17 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- water section 16–22 °C; permanently humid above the small land area, around 80–100 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×30×30 cm, two thirds water
- Substrate
- A water section 15–25 cm deep with plants, a small land section
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen food, freshwater shrimp, small earthworms
- Feeding interval
- 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 8–11 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- South-western China (Yunnan, Guizhou)
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 8–12 weeks
- Cohabitation
- A group. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Offer enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed them separately when they differ in size.
Notes
Like the Chinese fire-bellied newt, but the male has blue-shimmering flanks in the mating season. Keep it cool; above 24 °C skin infections threaten.
Do you keep this species?
Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →
Look for Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) in the marketplace →
Related species
- Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) – Beginner
- Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orphicus) – Intermediate
- Japanese fire-bellied newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) – Intermediate
- Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
- Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
- Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) – Expert
- Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
- Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×30×30 cm, two thirds water), substrate (A water section 15–25 cm deep with plants, a small land section), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Wikipedia EN (Cynops cyanurus), Wikipedia EN (Fire belly newt), caudata.org, eu_annex.txt (lokal, VO (EU) 2026/1383), kinder-haustiere.de
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).