Many aquarists are not limited to the presence of fish in their aquarium, but try to diversify it with other representatives of the water element. It can be mollusks, snails, invertebrates, turtles, as well as bright representatives of the amphibian family - home newts. They are able to live on land and water, which is of particular interest to them.
Description
Triton is a water reptile that lives in almost all reservoirs in the world. However, their biological relatives related to the salamanders are protected by law. Ordinary species are allowed to breed even at home. The size of the newt reaches 10-20 cm, depending on the size of the aquarium and the conditions of detention.
To date, many varieties of reptiles are known, however, only a few of them are suitable for housing.
Types of Tritons
As already noted, there are a great many varieties of this representative of amphibians, but among the domestic species, several of the most common can be distinguished.
Often on sale you can find types:
- Triton vulgaris. the aquarium inhabitant reaches 11 cm in length. The view is distinguished by a yellowish abdomen and a dark back. to the touch is smooth or with pimples.
- Alpine newt. Its main difference from other species is its attractive appearance with a bright unusual color. The presence of saturated blue, blue, orange stripes and gray spots can not leave him unattended. Undoubtedly, this look will decorate any aquarium.
- The crested newt is one of the largest representatives of the amphibian family for home maintenance, its body is 18 cm long. It has a black-brown tint with orange spots on the abdomen. It is impossible not to notice the crest characteristic of this species along the entire length of its body. There are special glands throughout the cover that produce a substance that serves as a defense if the newt is attacked by other creatures.
- Ribbed (needle) triton is another bright representative that poses a danger to the nearest neighbors living with him in the aquarium, and to the owner thereof. On his body you can see small orange-colored tubercles, in fact they perform a protective function in case of danger. If you suddenly pick up an individual in your hands, it can attack with these bulges and injure a person.
- Marble Triton has a greenish body color. Fuzzy texture spots resembling a marble pattern are located along its entire length. On the abdominal cavity, white formations are clearly distinguishable. Its length sometimes reaches 18 cm. However, a characteristic feature of this species is a bright strip of orange that adorns the body of the newt from head to tail.
Reproduction of tritons of all types occurs in the same way.
Neighborhood
Fish and snails are not the best neighbors for a newt. It is common for creatures of the amphibian genus to walk overland. In addition, they often feed on small species of fish, therefore, most likely, such neighbors will simply be eaten by amphibians.
Another fact of undesirable proximity is associated with temperature conditions. For life and the reproduction of newts, cool water is preferred at about 20 ° C, in turn, fish live in warmer water - about 25 ° C.
However, as you know, nothing is impossible. With the right selection of individuals, taking into account individual characteristics, it is possible to equip an aquarium with different representatives of the water world, where living together will be safe and comfortable for all its inhabitants. Guppies, neons, cardinals often cohabit in the same aquarium with amphibians, and conflicts are not ruled out. The best neighbors for a newt in the home are goldfish. If you take into account their size, they will not fit the amphibian in food, and they themselves are distinguished by a peaceful disposition.
Habitat Organization
In view of the peculiarities of the vital activity of the newt, equipping the aquarium, it is necessary to distinguish a land zone, on which it can independently choose. For its construction, it is best suited: stones, pieces of wood, branches, bark and other elements.
In order for the amphibian to feel comfortable at home, it is important to provide him with a body of water, the volume of which will be at least 15 liters. Taking into account sushi, the aquarium should be from 30 liters or more. It is worth noting that such a calculation is given for one newt, if in the future it is planned to purchase several more animals, it is advisable to immediately acquire a large aquarium.
Without fail, the dwelling must be equipped with a lid so that the pet cannot escape, as a result of which he himself will die.
The bottom of the aquarium is sprinkled with large rounded stones. Fine soil is not recommended because amphibian can swallow it with food. During the breeding season, the newt hides eggs among the leaves of aquatic vegetation, therefore it is good if there are live or artificial algae in the house, in addition, they will be a wonderful decoration of the aquarium.
The maximum high temperature of water transported by the newt is +22 ° . If it is higher, the creature can suffer greatly, therefore, on especially hot days, it is necessary to cool the liquid additionally, for example, adding a little ice.
To purify water, a special filter is installed in the aquarium and 1/5 of the water area is changed weekly. Thus, it is possible to protect the newt from becoming infected with various diseases caused by decaying food residues and the result of their vital functions.
Care
Observing a number of rules and recommendations, care and reproduction of newts is not difficult.
It is necessary to adhere to such recommendations:
- The minimum amount of water per individual is 15-20 liters.
- Since newts are cold-blooded animals, one should not allow sudden changes in temperature in the conditions of their habitat.
- The acidity of the water should not be higher than 8 PH, and the hardness is in the range of 10-12 dGH.
- For lighting, it is best to choose fluorescent lamps that will not heat water.
- The stones in the aquarium should not be smaller than the head of the newt. Otherwise, the pet will swallow them.
- It is important to maintain the correct water temperature for the amphibian, avoiding overheating.
How many live and wintering
Many people wonder how the lizard and the newt differ. How long do the last live? We answer: the lizard has lungs and lives on land, its body is covered with scales. Triton is an aquatic creature whose body is covered by smooth skin.
In the wild, newts live 7-10 years. Due to the small size of amphibians, they often become victims of other larger animals. In addition, due to environmental pollution, many species of newts are on the verge of extinction. At home, the life of an aquatic inhabitant doubles - up to 20 years.
When deciding to get this type of amphibian, you need to consider that they survive the winter. It lasts from the end of October for two weeks. During this period, the triton is inactive, chooses a place for wintering, and is always there. The optimum temperature of the content during this period is 15 ° C.
Feeding
One of the main questions that interests owners: how do lizards and tritons differ in terms of nutrition and how to feed the latter. Let's find out: lizards are omnivores, some of their species prefer plants, others prefer insects and fruits.
The triton diet includes small bloodworms or fish, ground earthworms, you can also include minced meat from the liver or fish.
So that amphibians do not lose their external qualities, it is necessary to add micronutrients and minerals to food. In pet stores, synthetic feeds for amphibians are on sale, they are enriched with calcium, phosphorus and other useful substances. Tritons are indifferent to plants.
Unlike adults who are fed every day, newborns need food more often, because during this period they grow actively. At first, in addition to minced fish, they are recommended to give small crustaceans and insects. And when they grow up a bit, include in the diet a tubule and bloodworms. In order not to pollute the aquarium, it is better to feed the newts, presenting food with tweezers.
Breeding newts at home
After wintering, in spring, male animals show increased activity, which indicates the achievement of puberty and readiness for reproduction. Different-sex individuals are resettled into a common reservoir. Since domestic species of amphibians are one of the most prolific, reproduction occurs rather quickly. In newts, this is internal fertilization.
After the marriage ritual, the male emits spermatophores into the water, and the female, in turn, picks them up as a cesspool. Fertilized eggs are in places of accumulation of algae. After about 20 days, triton larvae appear. They already have gills. After about three months, small individuals grow up to four centimeters, during which period they form the lungs.
Disease
The most common problems for this type of amphibian are related to the digestive system. Their reason lies in improper feeding and eating soil together with food. For example, dropsy, is characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues. The presence of parasites in the food consumed by a home newt, when ingested, provokes an inflammatory process and pneumonia.
Often, domestic individuals are susceptible to fungal diseases that affect the external tissue. Most often it is mucorosis. When microbes enter the blood of an amphibian, sepsis may develop.
If you properly care for the newt, observe cleanliness in the aquarium and provide it with proper and timely nutrition, you can not only keep it for many years, but also actively propagate it.