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Spanish Ribbed Newt

Pleurodeles waltl · also called Iberian ribbed newt

BeginnerFamily Salamandridae

The largest, hardiest, most beginner-proof newt — happily fully aquatic.

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✅ We have a full, fact-checked care sheet for the Spanish Ribbed Newt.

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📋 At a glance

Tank
20 gal+ mostly-aquatic: 6–8 in water + a small land/float
Temp
Cool — best below ~72°F (18–21°C)
Water
Dechlorinated, heavily planted, with little current
Food
Earthworms, shrimp/newt/turtle pellets, slugs
Lifespan
10–20 years

✅ Big, bold and hard to kill — arguably the best first newt, and active out in the open.

🛒 Before you buy

  • A mostly-aquatic tank (6–8 in water) with plants + a small land area
  • Dechlorinated water and gentle filtration
  • A cool spot (below ~72°F)
  • A lid — and space for a 6–8 in (sometimes bigger) adult

A healthy one: Large and well-fleshed · smooth skin · clear eyes · actively foraging in the water.

🚨 See a vet / act now if…

  • Floating or bloating
  • Not eating, or weight loss
  • Skin fungus, or the rib tips looking raw/infected
  • Lethargy even at cool temperatures

⛔ Never

  • Water above ~24°C/75°F (heat causes larval deformities)
  • Feeder fish (disease risk)
  • Tankmates small enough to swallow

Common spanish ribbed newt questions

How hard are Spanish Ribbed Newts to keep — are they good for beginners?

Beginner. The hardiest, most beginner-proof newt — happily fully aquatic and very forgiving.

What do Spanish Ribbed Newts eat?

Earthworms, shrimp/newt/turtle pellets, slugs

What size tank do Spanish Ribbed Newts need?

20 gal+ mostly-aquatic: 6–8 in water + a small land/float

What temperature do Spanish Ribbed Newts need?

Cool — best below ~72°F (18–21°C)

What water setup do Spanish Ribbed Newts need?

Dechlorinated, heavily planted, with little current

How long do Spanish Ribbed Newts live?

10–20 years

What are the signs Spanish Ribbed Newts are sick?

See an exotics vet if you notice: Floating or bloating; Not eating, or weight loss; Skin fungus, or the rib tips looking raw/infected; Lethargy even at cool temperatures.

Free tools for the spanish ribbed 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.Aquatic setup plannerTank, water, filtration & drowning-prevention.Water interpreterMake sense of your water-test numbers.Male or female?The honest way to sex this one — and when you can tell.Common questionsReal questions keepers ask — answered straight.

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