Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis)

Short answers

Chinese fire-bellied newt: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×30×30 cm aquarium.

Chinese fire-bellied newt: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 16–22 °C (not above 24 °C), basking spot No basking spot, at night 12–16 °C.

Chinese fire-bellied newt: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential.

Chinese fire-bellied newt: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

Chinese fire-bellied newt: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

16–22 °C (not above 24 °C)

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×30×30 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 15–25 cm deep, plants, a small land section

Feeding

Food

Daphnia, bloodworms, small worms

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–10 cm

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

Eastern China

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; wild-caught animals are common – prefer captive-bred ones

Brumation

A cooler spell in winter

Cohabitation

Group keeping works well. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Enough hides so that every animal can get out of the way.

Notes

Small, aquatic and easy to watch. Sensitive to warmth – above 24 °C things get critical. A skin toxin: wash your hands after contact.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×30×30 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 15–25 cm deep, plants, a small land section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.