← All species · Newts

Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt

Cynops pyrrhogaster

IntermediateFamily Salamandridae

A larger, longer-lived cousin of the Chinese fire-belly — cool water is key.

🖼️ Free Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt wallpapers — phone & desktop →

✅ We have a full, fact-checked care sheet for the Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt.

Open the Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt care sheet →

📋 At a glance

Tank
Aquatic/paludarium: 10 gal (1), 20 gal long (4–6)
Temp
Cool 65–72°F · NO heater · avoid above ~75°F
Water
3–10 in deep, dechlorinated, gentle flow (sponge filter)
Food
Bloodworms, chopped earthworms, newt pellets
Lifespan
10–25 years

✅ Very long-lived and hardy in cool water — a genuinely multi-decade newt.

🛒 Before you buy

  • An aquatic setup with a sponge filter + an escape-proof lid
  • Live plants for cover and resting spots
  • A way to keep the water below ~75°F in summer
  • The knowledge that they live for decades

A healthy one: Active · good weight · bright belly · clear skin · using the water confidently.

🚨 See a vet / act now if…

  • Floating or bloating
  • Not eating, or weight loss
  • Skin fungus or lesions
  • Staying out of the water persistently

⛔ Never

  • A water heater / warm water
  • An open-topped tank
  • Housing with fish or axolotls (toxic skin — wash hands)

Common japanese fire-bellied newt questions

How hard are Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts to keep — are they good for beginners?

Intermediate. A cool-water aquatic newt — long-lived, but needs cool, clean water and an escape-proof lid.

What do Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts eat?

Bloodworms, chopped earthworms, newt pellets

What size tank do Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts need?

Aquatic/paludarium: 10 gal (1), 20 gal long (4–6)

What temperature do Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts need?

Cool 65–72°F · NO heater · avoid above ~75°F

What water setup do Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts need?

3–10 in deep, dechlorinated, gentle flow (sponge filter)

How long do Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts live?

10–25 years

What are the signs Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts are sick?

See an exotics vet if you notice: Floating or bloating; Not eating, or weight loss; Skin fungus or lesions; Staying out of the water persistently.

Free tools for the japanese fire-bellied newt

Calm, honest help — each one knows when to say "see a vet."

Symptom checkerTriage a worrying sign and know when to see a vet.Water-or-land plannerAquatic or terrestrial? Right for its life stage.Feeder cultureCulture your own feeder insects, cheaply.Male or female?The honest way to sex this one — and when you can tell.Common questionsReal questions keepers ask — answered straight.

📚 More newts guides

Keep up with Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt care

You're reading the full, fact-checked japanese fire-bellied newt guide — free. Join the burrow for honest care emails, aesthetic freebies and conservation news whenever we publish. Free sheets and tools always stay open. No spam, no gatekeeping.

Free amphibian care cheat-sheet when you join. No spam — pinky-promise. Unsubscribe anytime.