The Fish Room
Salamander Care
CHOOSING YOUR SALAMANDER
While salamanders make great pets from an observatory point of view, they are not partial to being handled and can be described as “hands-off pets.” They have extremely delicate skin that can easily be damaged with handling, which can cause potential infections from bacteria.
They are generally easy animals to care for but have specific requirements. Because they spend most of their time in water, they need to have clean water in their tank that is free from any pollutants, and their water temperature cannot be too warm, or it can result in a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections. It’s also important to note that they are mostly nocturnal, so you’ll only see them active at night.
If you want an interactive or cuddly type of pet, these amphibians are not the ideal choices for you, unfortunately. But if you’re looking for an interesting pet to observe going about their regular routine, salamanders make wonderful pets.
The Tiger Salamander is one of the most widespread and popular species kept as pets, mostly due to their beautiful, unique coloring and their easy-going nature.
COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS
Gas bubble disease
Bloating; bubbles under skin surface, loss of balance.
Consult your exotic animal veterinarian and ensure water is not too aerated.
Metabolic bone disease
Deformities, soft bones, paralysis.
Consult your exotic animal veterinarian and ensure use of vitamin/calcium supplements.
Skin problems
Abrasions, bacterial and fungal infections. Consult your exotic animal veterinarian.
Wounds
Most likely to happen when amphibian is introduced to new surroundings and panics. Consult your exotic animal veterinarian.
Weight loss
Skin parasite
Diarrhea
Distressed breathing
Lethargy
Cloudy or dull eyes
Skin lesions
Bloated abdomen
Poor balance
HOUSING
The salamander's new house should mimic its habitat in the wild. Salamanders prefer a moist, damp habitat with ample places to hide. You can put your salamander in a plastic container with a tight lid. Drill some holes on the side for ventilation and place the container in an area that doesn't get direct sunlight. Cover the floor with bark chips, potting compost, or moss.
Salamanders are comfortable in temperatures between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 to 18 degrees Celsius). Make sure that the tank is kept cool, especially during the summer. Salamanders must be moist, so make sure you put a dish of water in the box. The dish will have to be cleaned out frequently.
Size - for terrarium, use glass, acrylic or plastic 10-gallon habitat; for aqua-terrarium, use glass habitat.
Habitat - for terrarium, provide a water bowl to submerge in, pieces of bark for hiding places; for aqua-terrarium, separate into land and water areas using a partition, or provide an island or alternate décor to get out of the water. Maintain 70% humidity by misting as needed every day.
Substrate - Salamanders prefer dampened sphagnum moss and pieces of bark, or a mulch-type soil such as coconut fiber. Avoid gravel and artificial turf that is too harsh for amphibian skin.
Can house several tiger Salamanders together, but do not house different amphibian species together.
LIGHTING
Recommend low level UVB lighting for Salamanders but provide hiding places so they can hide from light as needed.
Temperature - 60-75°F.
FEEDING
Things to remember when feeding your Salamander or Newt:
Fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should be always available.
Feed Salamander 2-3 times a week, at night.
Sprinkle food with calcium supplement daily and a multi-vitamin supplement once or twice a week.
A well-balanced Salamander diet consists of:
Aquatic - brine shrimp, bloodworms, live and frozen chopped night crawlers.
If terrestrial – provide a variety of insects, including gut-loaded (recently fed) crickets, mealworms, white worms and tubifex worms.
Also benefit from commercial diets.
Feeding