How Can I Breed a Fire Newt?

Breeding season for the fire-bellied newt takes place from March to July. In order to successfully breed the picky creatures, the owner must replicate their natural seasonal temperature changes. The pair must believe that winter has ended and spring has started before they will begin to show signs of being able to breed. Watch the fire-bellied newts closely to determine if breeding is occuring. The male Chinese fire-bellied newt's tail will take on a bluish hue. The male Japanese fire-bellied newt will begin to display a glossy lavender tail. The female's body will begin to thicken as it swells with eggs.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Lighting
  • Aquatic plants
  • Thermometer
  • Food
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Instructions

    • 1

      House a male and a female fire-bellied newt in an aquarium that has 70 percent water and 30 percent substrate. Provide ample aquatic plant life for the female fire-bellied newt to use to affix her eggs on to. Maintain 12 hours of light per day and 12 hours of darkness.

    • 2

      Reduce the room temperature around the fire-bellied newt pair 50 days before breeding season. Keep the temperature at 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 3

      Feed the pair only bloodworms and small crustaceans. Do not feed them excessively. Only provide what they will eat quickly.

    • 4

      Raise the temperature to 68 degrees Fahrenheit after 50 days. Provide ample food for the pair. Feed tubifex, earthworms and blood worms

    • 5

      Watch the pair closely. The male will begin to pursue the female. He will rub against her and push her in an attempt to court her. He will fan her with his tail to attract her. He will deposit a jelly-like substance that contains sperm on a hard surface in the aquarium. The male will lead the female to the jelly-like sperm. She will pick it up with her cloaca so that fertilization will take place internally. About three days after fertilization she will lay up to 200 eggs on a plant's leaf. She will wrap the leaf around the eggs.

    • 6

      Remove the female and male from the aquarium after the eggs have been laid or relocate the eggs to a new aquarium. The male and female will eat the eggs if not separated.