Chinese fire belly newt
Cynops orientalis
A small newt with a black back and bright orange belly that needs cool water and a patch of land; its skin is toxic, so it lives without fish.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3.5 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 14 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Diet
- Frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, small earthworms
- Origin
- Eastern China
- Hardier than17%
- Bigger than55%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Chinese fire belly newt tank mates
- Bladder snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Assassin snailChinese fire belly newt needs cool water; assassin snails need tropical heat.Risky
- Malaysian trumpet snailChinese fire belly newt needs cool water; Malaysian trumpet snails need tropical heat.Risky
- Mystery snailMystery snail outcompetes the slow-eating Chinese fire belly newt for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Ramshorn snailGreat ramshorn snail outcompetes the slow-eating Chinese fire belly newt for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Colombian ramshornColombian ramshorn outcompetes the slow-eating Chinese fire belly newt for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Great pond snailGreat pond snail outcompetes the slow-eating Chinese fire belly newt for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Neon tetraChinese fire belly newt should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraChinese fire belly newt should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Fancy guppyChinese fire belly newt should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Panda corydorasChinese fire belly newt should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- OtocinclusChinese fire belly newt should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpChinese fire belly newt should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Chinese fire belly newts: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 9 cm (TL_amphibian)
- Adult mass
- 4.37 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 3.15 BU
- Min. water
- 45 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 25 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 3)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle, land
- Flow
- still
- Body / fins
- amphibian, normal fins
- Diet type
- carnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper, salt, nitrate
Sources: Gensou: Fire Belly Newt Care Guide
Care notes
Chinese fire belly newts are 3.5 inches or so long and come from eastern China. They live 10 to 15 years and escape through any gap wider than about half an inch.
Keep a pair in a 10-gallon tank with water 8–10 inches deep at 59–72 °F and land covering 20–30% of the surface. Overheating in summer is the main danger, and toxins in their skin can harm fish, so wash your hands after handling.
Questions
What size tank does a chinese fire belly newt need?
At least 14 gallons (45 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3.5 inches without fins.
How many Chinese fire belly newts should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 3 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Chinese fire belly newts need?
59–72 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and 0–0 dGH. Chinese fire belly newts come from Eastern China.
How long do Chinese fire belly newts live?
10–15 years with good care.
What fish can live with Chinese fire belly newts?
Good tank mates include Bladder snail. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.