Common Names: Chinese Firebelly Newt, Dwarf Firebelly Newt
Scientific Name: Cynops orientalis
Distribution: China
Size: Up to 4 inches, usually about 3 inches.
Temperament: Very compatible in groups or in community tanks.
Hardiness: Very hardy and easy to maintain.
Sexing: Males in breeding condition have swollen ventand extended tail tip.
Food: Tubifex worms, night crawler sections, baby snails, daphnia and small insects.
Housing: A 10 gallon aquarium can house a group of these Newts. Use a gravel substrate with a water level of 6" to 10", add plenty of aquatic plants and some rounded cork bark floats for hauling out purposes.
Water: Use only dechlorinated/dechloramined water, with under gravel or mechanical filtration.
Temperature/Humidity: 55F - 72F, this species prefers cooler temperatures.
Lighting: Standard aquarium lighting as for tropical fish is sufficient for these Newts.
Heating: Supplemental heating is not needed for this species, under normal conditions.
Notes: The Japanese Firebelly Newt (Cynops pyrogaster) is a larger species that can be set up and maintained under similar conditions.