Can You Keep Your Pet Newt in a Fish Tank?

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Newts are small amphibians that belong to the salamander group. They make good pets for anyone, as they’re interesting to observe.

Generally, they require relatively low maintenance. Most newts require a suitable tank and proper handling.

So, you might be wondering, can you keep newts in a fish tank? And can they live with fish?

Look no further for the answers! We’ll tell you everything you need to know about newts’ tank requirements in today’s article.

Let’s dive into the details!

Can You Keep Newts in a Fish Tank?

Newts are semiaquatic, which means they alternate between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Generally, newts need a tank that’s at least 10 to 20 gallons in size.

So, if your fish tank is bigger than 10 gallons, you can keep your amphibians in it. Overall, they do best in freshwater tanks.

In case you have an existing fish tank, you can easily adjust it to make it suitable for your amphibian friends.

It’s worth mentioning that newts’ tank requirements can differ from one species to the other. So, make sure to do your research about the species of the newt you’re willing to buy.

Newts’ Tank Requirements

Newts can live in three types of tanks: aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial. You can choose the suitable tank type according to the species of the newt.

Many consider semiaquatic tanks to be the best option, as they combine terrestrial and aquatic elements.

The larger the tank size, the happier your newts will be.

They’re mostly active, and they love exploring and swimming. So, the water-to-land ratio should be around 70:30.

Additionally, you need to create a suitable land area by piling gravel on a slope above the water level. Make sure that the slope is gradual, so the newts can easily climb it.

Can Newts Live With Fish in the Same Tank?

There are many species of newts out there. Unfortunately, only a few of them can live peacefully with fish in the same tank. An example of a species that can coexist with fish is the fire-bellied newt.

Mostly, newts are peaceful and don’t harm other tank mates unless they’re threatened.

Many recommend adding a divider in the aquarium to avoid any issues. In that case, you’ll need separate filtration on each side.

Further, you shouldn’t add too many fish to the tank. That’s because newts might lose the competition of getting food and starve.

Fish That Can Coexist With Newts

Ideally, you want to choose fish that are slightly bigger than newts. Tiny and large fish aren’t compatible with them.

Fish that are a lot bigger than newts can end up eating them. On the other hand, tiny fish that are much smaller than newts can end up being food for them.

Additionally, you shouldn’t go for any aggressive type of fish. You also want to avoid bottom-feeder fish, like small catfish. That’s because newts might eat them.

Moreover, cold water fish or tropical fish are good options. That’s why they can live in the same water temperature as the newts, which is around 75 to 80 °F.

For example, adult guppies, molly, and small goldfish can coexist with newts in the same tank.

Can Newts Eat Fish Food?

Newts can eat fish food from time to time in captivity. However, eating fish flakes alone would be harmful to them.

Ideally, you want to provide your newts with a balanced diet that contains all types of food they need to stay healthy.

Typically, newts eat insects, snails, slugs, worms, small fish, and mollusks. They can also eat shrimp and tadpoles.

In captivity, you can offer your pet newts a similar diet of meal worms and crickets. For aquatic newts, you can feed them blood worms and nightcrawlers.

Final Thoughts

So, can you keep newts in a fish tank?

The answer depends on the tank size. Ideally, newts need a tank that’s at least 10 to 20 gallons big to live happily.

So, if your tank is big enough, you can adjust it to make it suitable for newts. Keep in mind that newts don’t get along with many types of fish. They don’t do well with fish that are too large or too small.

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