Mixing Newts - some considerations

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on March 28, 1999 at 15:05:27:

In Reply to: Oregon Newt? posted by SeanDelevan on March 28, 1999 at 14:44:33:

Yes, you can keep Tarichas (Oregon & Roughskin newts) with others of similar size and disposition. However, there may be some things to take into account first.

MIXING NEWTS
Mixing Newts is one of those weird ethical and 'pure dumb luck' events that most newt keepers end up facing intermittently. Like tropical fish keepers, it's neat to have a variety of newts in the same tank, all with their different shapes and colours ,,, however, there are significant issues that you have to be aware of:
1. The newts have to be lifestyle compatible ... you can't really mix aquatic Pachytritons (Paddletails) in an environment set up for terrestrial-phase Triturus (European newts).
2. Basically newts are cannibals ... large Pachytritons and Taricha will turn small Cynops orientalis (Japanese Dwarf Newts) into aquatic snack-packs.
3. When you mix species from different parts of the world, you run the risk of what I call 'Conquistador syndrome' ... a latent or dormant disease that does not affect your far-eastern Paramesotriton might cut a vicious swath through your prized collection of North American Tarichas! Think of what happened with the Europeans when they arrived in Central America, ... it's the same sort of thing.
4. And when springtime and mating season hits, you have another problem. Taricha male's, and their Spanish Ribbed Newt male friends, are not very discriminating when it comes to courting other species ... when excited, the males will grab almost anything, except for a male of their own species. I've even had a male wrap around my fingers and start rubbing my knuckles with his chin! There is a distinct danger of smaller of different species newts being drowned by this clasping ... most European and Asian newts do not breeding by the clasping amplexus, they breed by dancing. They're not used to being gripped tightly and dragged around the pond. So, if stressed (and who would not be by something twice your size riding piggy-back and constricting your chest?), they use up their air quickly, cannot escape and may drown. ( If you're trying to separate newts in amplexus, just scoop them up with a large fine tropical fish net, and suspend them just above the surface of the water. The male will let go after a short while.)
Now, tropical fish people have mixed species with good success for years, as have some newt people. However, there are considerations and a small risk that you might be prepared to assume on behalf of your new newts.
If it works, please let us know what you have mixed and what your set-up is. And just as important, if you attempt hit some problems areas, please let us all know about your experiences and recommendations so that we all benefit from your experience.
Cheers, Wes

Follow Ups:

Re: Mixing Newts - some considerations Edfett 3/28/99 (3)
- Re: Mixing Newts - some considerations ChrisCD 3/28/99 (2)
  - 'Thank you' Edfett & C-CD, for the kind comments.(N/m) Wes 3/29/99 (1)
    - Cool! Now I'm C-CD! ChrisCD 3/29/99 (0)

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: Yes, you can keep Tarichas (Oregon & Roughskin newts) with others of similar size and disposition. However, there may be some things to take into account first. : MIXING NEWTS : Mixing Newts is one of those weird ethical and 'pure dumb luck' events that most newt keepers end up facing intermittently. Like tropical fish keepers, it's neat to have a variety of newts in the same tank, all with their different shapes and colours ,,, however, there are significant issues that you have to be aware of: : 1. The newts have to be lifestyle compatible ... you can't really mix aquatic Pachytritons (Paddletails) in an environment set up for terrestrial-phase Triturus (European newts). : 2. Basically newts are cannibals ... large Pachytritons and Taricha will turn small Cynops orientalis (Japanese Dwarf Newts) into aquatic snack-packs. : 3. When you mix species from different parts of the world, you run the risk of what I call 'Conquistador syndrome' ... a latent or dormant disease that does not affect your far-eastern Paramesotriton might cut a vicious swath through your prized collection of North American Tarichas! Think of what happened with the Europeans when they arrived in Central America, ... it's the same sort of thing. : 4. And when springtime and mating season hits, you have another problem. Taricha male's, and their Spanish Ribbed Newt male friends, are not very discriminating when it comes to courting other species ... when excited, the males will grab almost anything, except for a male of their own species. I've even had a male wrap around my fingers and start rubbing my knuckles with his chin! There is a distinct danger of smaller of different species newts being drowned by this clasping ... most European and Asian newts do not breeding by the clasping amplexus, they breed by dancing. They're not used to being gripped tightly and dragged around the pond. So, if stressed (and who would not be by something twice your size riding piggy-back and constricting your chest?), they use up their air quickly, cannot escape and may drown. ( If you're trying to separate newts in amplexus, just scoop them up with a large fine tropical fish net, and suspend them just above the surface of the water. The male will let go after a short while.) : Now, tropical fish people have mixed species with good success for years, as have some newt people. However, there are considerations and a small risk that you might be prepared to assume on behalf of your new newts. : If it works, please let us know what you have mixed and what your set-up is. And just as important, if you attempt hit some problems areas, please let us all know about your experiences and recommendations so that we all benefit from your experience. : Cheers, Wes

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