Paddle
Tail Salamanders are amphibians native to Southeastern China. They spend most of their life in an aquatic
environment. Occasionally, they can be
found on land in the moist soil under rocks, logs, and other hiding
places. All amphibians have very
delicate skin and handling them is detrimental to their health as the salts,
oils and heat from our skin can harm them. They also secrete toxic fluids as a
natural defense against predators.
These fluids could cause irritation of mucus membranes and could be
toxic if ingested. For these reasons,
Paddle Tail Salamanders should never be handled; a fish net should be used to
transport them.
Maximum size: 7”
Lighting: Full spectrum fluorescent UV
bulbs would be a good choice. Avoid
basking type lighting, which would dry out the terrarium and be detrimental to
these amphibians.
Temperature range:
55°-59°F.
Food: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex, small feeder fish, red worms,
and wax worms. All foods should be
coated in calcium and vitamin powder.
Housing/Habitat: Paddle Tail Salamanders can
be kept in an aquarium with floating islands and plants for them to suspend on
when breathing at the surface. An
alternative setup for all stages of this amphibian’s life would be a
viquarium. The land portion should have
a thick, soft, sterile soil substrate landscaped with plenty of moss, bark,
rocks, and live or artificial plants.
The soil should be kept damp but not wet at all times. The filtered aquatic area should have a 20%
water change every other week with clean dechlorinated water. The viquarium
must be well ventilated. Ventilation
can be controlled through the use of a screen aquarium top and a glass canopy
partially covering the screen.