Amphibians
Spanish ribbed newt care guide
Pleurodeles waltl
A large, fully aquatic, very hardy newt that rarely leaves the water. Easy to keep and breed with cool, clean water.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
Spanish ribbed newt enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult spanish ribbed newt should live in at least 24" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 30" L × 12" W × 12" H (2.5 × 1 × 1 ft, roughly 2.5 sq ft of floor and about a 19-gallon glass equivalent).
Adults reach about 8–12 in; a 20-gallon long suits a pair.
- Hatchling / baby
- 20" L × 10" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 8" W × 8" H
- Juvenile
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 30" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
No heater; use a fan or chiller in hot rooms.
- Basking / warm surface
- No basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 60–72°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- Keep under 75°F
- Night
- Same as day
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required. 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. Track water: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm, pH 6.5–8.
Substrate and depth
Bare bottom or fine sand (no small gravel). Depth: 0–1 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- 8–12 in
- Filtration
- Cycled sponge or baffled canister filter
- Basking dock
- Optional floating plants
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Caves / hides
- Live plants
- Tight-fitting lid
Build list
- Liquid water test kit — Log ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH weekly.
- Sponge filter — Gentle flow that won't batter small aquatic amphibians.
- Water conditioner / RO water — Chlorine and chloramine burn permeable skin.
Spanish ribbed newt FAQ
How big should an adult Spanish ribbed newt enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 30" L × 12" W × 12" H — about 2.5 × 1 × 1 ft, or a 19-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does a Spanish ribbed newt need?
Basking or warm surface No basking spot, warm side Water 60–72°F, cool side Keep under 75°F, night Same as day. No heater; use a fan or chiller in hot rooms.
Does a Spanish ribbed newt need UVB?
Not required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Spanish ribbed newt need?
Fully aquatic. Track water: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm, pH 6.5–8.
What substrate is best for a Spanish ribbed newt?
Bare bottom or fine sand (no small gravel), at a depth of 0–1 in.
How big does a Spanish ribbed newt enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 20" L × 10" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 8" W × 8" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping a Spanish ribbed newt?
Can push sharp rib tips through the skin when stressed — handle rarely. Wash hands before and after handling, never use soap or untreated tap water, and keep handling to a minimum.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own spanish ribbed newt record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.