Japanese fire-bellied newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster)

Short answers

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

60×30×30 cm aquarium.

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

Daytime 15–21 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 10–15 °C.

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

UVB: Not essential.

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

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

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

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

15–21 °C

Night temperature

10–15 °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 land section

Feeding

Food

Bloodworms, worms, small insects

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–13 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Japan

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cool overwintering of 8–12 weeks

Cohabitation

A group is possible. 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

To be kept even cooler than C. orientalis. Very long-lived. A markedly stronger skin toxin – do not handle it with bare hands.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Japanese fire-bellied newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) – Beginner
• Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) – Beginner
• Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orphicus) – 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 Japanese fire-bellied newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×30×30 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 15–25 cm deep, plants, a 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.