The numbers
Enclosure
Paludarium aquarium 60–80 L for 4–6 individuals; moist terrestrial zone 30% + aquatic zone 15–20 cm deep; lid (excellent climber); gentle filtration
Temperature
14–20 °C optimum; never >22 °C (stress and possible death); aquatic chiller or air-conditioned room ESSENTIAL in Bangkok; minimum tolerance 10 °C
Humidity
Semi-aquatic; dechlorinated water pH 6.5–7.5; gentle biological filtration; 25% weekly water change
UVB
Minimal lighting; UVB not required; 12 h light cycle; avoid direct sun exposure (overheating)
Identity
Adult size
6–10 cm (body + tail); juvenile ~2 cm
Lifespan
10–25 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted
Price (THB)
600–2 000
Difficulty
Intermediate (cold water mandatory in Bangkok)
Origin / habitat
Cohabitation
Same-size groups (4–6 in 60 L); no cohabitation with fish or frogs
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Paludarium aquarium 60–80 L for 4–6 individuals; moist terrestrial zone 30% + aquatic zone 15–20 cm deep; lid (excellent climber); gentle filtration
Temperature
14–20 °C optimum; never >22 °C (stress and possible death); aquatic chiller or air-conditioned room ESSENTIAL in Bangkok; minimum tolerance 10 °C
Humidity / water
Semi-aquatic; dechlorinated water pH 6.5–7.5; gentle biological filtration; 25% weekly water change
Lighting / UVB
Minimal lighting; UVB not required; 12 h light cycle; avoid direct sun exposure (overheating)
Substrate / decor
Aquatic zone: sand floor or bare + aquatic plants (Anubias, Java fern); terrestrial zone: moist sphagnum + mosses + flat hides
Feeding
Cut earthworms (main food), adult brine shrimp, daphnia, frozen bloodworms, axolotl pellets; 3–4×/week; food in aquatic zone or with tongs
Reproduction
Sexing
♂ more laterally flattened tail (caudal crest during breeding season); ♀ more voluminous abdomen; ♂ swollen cloaca
Maturity
2–3 years
Breeding trigger
Simulated winter cooling: T° 10–12 °C for 8–10 weeks with photoperiod reduced to 8 h; then progressive warming to 16–18 °C in spring + abundant food
Egg laying
♀ lays individual eggs wrapped in folded aquatic leaves (1–5 eggs/day over several weeks); hatching 2–4 weeks
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Aquatic larvae requiring cold water <18 °C; feeding nauplii brine shrimp, daphnia, small white worms; metamorphosis 3–6 months; terrestrial juveniles
Juvenile care
Terrestrial juveniles for the first few months (moist terrestrial zone) before becoming more aquatic; feeding Drosophila, small white worms, brine shrimp; cold water maintained
Common health problems
Cutaneous tetrodotoxin (TTX)
Signspotent neurotoxin with no antidote — NEVER put near mouth; wash hands thoroughly after handling; never handle with open wounds on hands
Heat stress (>22 °C)
Signsdeath possible within a few days — monitor temperature daily during hot season in Bangkok
Chytridiomycosis (Bd) and Bsal (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans)
SignsBsal is particularly virulent in urodeles — PCR mandatory for WC; never mix with animals of unknown origin
Quarantine
Signs45–60 days; separate cold aquarium (14–18 °C); PCR Bd AND Bsal mandatory if WC origin (species often imported WC from China); never introduce a WC newt directly into a collection
Good to know
- Cutaneous TTX (tetrodotoxin): identical to that of puffer fish — no antidote; ingestion or contact with mucous membrane = medical emergency; CB individuals from several generations produce less TTX but risk remains
- Bsal (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans): devastating fungus for urodeles, detected in Europe and Asia — long quarantine and specific PCR essential for WC
- Cooling essential in Thailand: aquatic chiller (200–400 W) or air-conditioned room <20 °C — operating costs to anticipate
Others in this group
White's Tree FrogRanoidea caeruleaAxolotlAmbystoma mexicanumYellow-banded Poison Dart FrogDendrobates leucomelasMimic Poison FrogRanitomeya imitatorDyeing Poison Dart FrogDendrobates tinctoriusGolden Poison Dart FrogPhyllobates terribilisGreen-and-black Poison Dart FrogDendrobates auratusStrawberry Poison Dart FrogOophaga pumilio