Triton Spanish: content in the aquarium

Sometimes aquariums are installed simply in order to decorate the interior of the room. Behind its inhabitants are being watched, but they do not experience much enthusiasm. But today's article is intended for those who are really interested in watching the inhabitants of their aquariums. Did you know that in a water house you can keep not only fish, but also exotic newts?

let's get acquainted

Triton Spanish is a caudate amphibian, which is referred to as the genus of small newts. In nature, the animal lives in a restricted area and is officially recognized as endemic. The place of distribution of this amphibian is the Iberian Peninsula, and more specifically Spain and Portugal.

To small species, newt Spanish is referred to, since its size in natural natural conditions does not exceed 10 cm. Females are usually even smaller, their maximum size is less than 8 cm. The adult amphibian has somewhat elongated head with glandular protrusions on the transition to the back. The tail of these newts is long and slightly flattened at the sides. Females have short, widely spaced legs, in males, the length of the limbs is slightly larger. This species of newts lacks a crest.

In captivity, newt Spanish, the content of which in the aquarium is not associated with great difficulties, reaches much larger sizes. There are adult specimens 20-25 cm long. Most of the life these amphibians spend in the water. Their skin is smooth and shiny, and the color varies from olive to brown shades. On land, newt Spanish gradually changes. His skin coarsens and becomes thicker and rough.

Additional Information

In some sources the name "newt spanish needley" occurs . This name was derived from amphibians due to small hillocks-accretions on the skin. With a certain amount of imagination, these hillocks can be taken for short needles or spines. If the animal is frightened, then the needles become more noticeable. Since this species of amphibians is the easiest to survive and multiply in captivity, then it will be offered to you, as a novice, in a pet store.

Sometimes on sale occurs Triton Spanish gold. Most often these are young individuals, and over time the color of their skin will become darker.

Optimal conditions of detention

Create a good environment for an unusual pet is not difficult. Sparkling newts are unpretentious to temperature and light. For a comfortable life, newt Spanish should be in a two-stage aquarium. In extreme cases, on the bottom you can put a large flat stone, which will protrude from the water. In the aquarium it is necessary to place living plants and decorative elements, in which the amphibian can hide from excessive attention.

For the design of the bottom use pebbles. Its size should not allow pets to drag a pebble into the mouth.

It is not necessary to warm water in an aquarium for a newt. Its temperature can range from +15 to +25 ° C. But the best option is +20 ° С. So in the warm period the water will have to be even slightly cooled.

If the aquarium is two-level, then the land can be designed as a marshy meadow or moss. Do not forget that the tank should be covered with a transparent lid, otherwise the newt will simply run away.

The level of oxygen in water

Unlike an aquarium with fish, for newts it is not so important to maintain a certain level of oxygen in the water. The fact is that for the breath, the newt emerges to the surface, and does not use oxygen dissolved in the aqueous medium. The main thing - the water should be fresh, stable, not filtered and not boiled.

Do not skimp on buying an aquarium filter, otherwise the water will quickly get dirty. Some animals get air from the skin with water, which is abundantly supplied with small capillaries. With the coarse and contamination of the outer covers, the newts are renewed, discarding the skin.

Dimensions of the aquarium

For a pair of Spanish newts you need a tank, the volume of which is about 40 liters. One amphibian needs up to 15 liters of water for life. Spanish newts easily get along with groups, so you can start 5-6 individuals at a time.

Some hosts contain needley newts along with fish.

Triton Spanish: content in an aquarium with fish

It can not be said that this is the right decision. First, fish need warmer water. Secondly, fish and newts will hunt each other (depending on the gluttony and size). Thirdly, the fish are more mobile, which means they will be the first to reach the feeder, and the newts will remain hungry. But if you really want, then in one aquarium you can combine tritons and guppies, catfish and corridors. Big snails, turtles and frogs will also feel good here.

Feeding rules

Triton is a predator, which means that it will have to be fed with live food. For these purposes are suitable:

• Various kinds of worms (flour, rain);
• Bloodworm (in small quantities);
• Flies;
• Small snails, grasshoppers, crickets.

Do not feed your pet with fatty foods. Meat, lard, pieces of poultry skin for newts are unsuitable.

Young amphibians (up to two years) should receive a portion of food daily. Adults - 2-3 times a week.

Reproduction

It's very interesting to watch newt games. So, how does the newt Spanish behave? Reproduction in the aquarium occurs from the beginning of autumn to the end of spring. Sexually mature animals become at one-year-old age. The male attracts the attention of the partner, swim under it and grasping it from below with paws. For a while, the couple moves around the aquarium, closely embracing each other. Then the male swims forward and passes the spermatophore to the female. The female catches it with her cloaca.

The laying of eggs begins two days after fertilization. The process takes several days. There are a lot of eggs, they must be separated from adult newts, otherwise the offspring will be eaten.

Young growths appear after 10 days. As a feed for it, plankton is used, which begins to be given on the fifth day after the appearance of the offspring.

Something about the behavior and content

Over time, the Spanish newts get used to the person who feeds them. They cease to hide when it approaches and, on the contrary, float to the surface.

Frightened or excited amphibians produce sharp sounds, something similar to croaking.

Home newts can be picked up, but not often, because for them it's a stressful situation. For these amphibians, the temperature of your hands is very high, and they quickly overheat.

Do not be alarmed if your pets become sluggish in winter or are hibernating. Lower the temperature of the water and leave the animals alone for a while.

If you have properly organized the care of Spanish newts, but they will please you long enough. At home, these amphibians can live more than 20 years.