Amphibians
Mudpuppy care guide
Necturus maculosus
A large, fully aquatic salamander with permanent red external gills. It needs cold, well-oxygenated, very clean water and a big tank.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
Mudpuppy enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult mudpuppy should live in at least 48" L × 12" W × 16" H; we build toward 48" L × 18" W × 20" H (4 × 1.5 × 1.7 ft, roughly 6 sq ft of floor and about a 75-gallon glass equivalent).
Adults reach 12–16 in; plan on 40+ gallons.
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 16" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 18" W × 20" H recommended · min 48" L × 12" W × 16" H
Temperature and heating
No heater. A chiller is usually needed.
- Basking / warm surface
- None
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 50–65°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- Never above 70°F
- Night
- Same as day
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required; dim light only. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target Fully aquatic. High oxygen and clean water: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm.
Substrate and depth
Bare bottom or sand with large flat rocks. Depth: 0–1 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- 12 in or more
- Filtration
- Strong, fully cycled filtration with gentle output plus an air stone
- Basking dock
- None needed
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Flat rock caves
- Large hides
- Air stone
Build list
- Liquid water test kit — Log ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH weekly.
- Water conditioner / RO water — Chlorine and chloramine burn permeable skin.
Mudpuppy FAQ
How big should an adult Mudpuppy enclosure be?
At least 48" L × 12" W × 16" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 18" W × 20" H — about 4 × 1.5 × 1.7 ft, or a 75-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does a Mudpuppy need?
Basking or warm surface None, warm side Water 50–65°F, cool side Never above 70°F, night Same as day. No heater. A chiller is usually needed.
Does a Mudpuppy need UVB?
Not required; dim light only. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Mudpuppy need?
Fully aquatic. High oxygen and clean water: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm.
What substrate is best for a Mudpuppy?
Bare bottom or sand with large flat rocks, at a depth of 0–1 in.
How big does a Mudpuppy enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 20" L × 10" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping a Mudpuppy?
Wild populations are protected in some states — check local laws. Gills are delicate; avoid handling.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own mudpuppy record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.