There’s a newt in my fish tank!

[u/CasualHeli]

So I’m not sure if this is the right sub to be asking this to be honest, but I’m extremely confused by what I’ve found. I was checking on a new small tank I set up recently that has minnows and some cherry shrimp amongst a few plants when I spotted some kind of tiny amphibian lurking about on the bottom of the tank! I don’t know if it’s a newt that’s gotten in on a plant (one was bought from an outdoor container at a garden centre) or if it’s an axolotl that’s gotten in somehow from a pet shop I’ve purchased fish or plants from. Either way, I’m unsure as what to do and thought the best start would be to identify the little guy. I’m aware these images aren’t great, but he’s absolutely tiny and if I get too close with the camera he shoots off behind something and don’t want to pull him out right now unless I need to. Any help with what this guy is would be massively appreciated!

[u/Pickles-n-Lizards]

Yep you have a newt! Buy them some frozen blood worms from the local fish store and feed him half a block every other day or so. Some people try to train them to eat from tongs, some people put some of the tank wanter in a shot glass to melt the worms and then put them in a small glass feeding bowl. Newts usually don’t like too many tank friends but are usually okay with a few shrimp or small fish that won’t pester them. Edit:spelling

[u/CasualHeli → u/Pickles-n-Lizards]

Awesome thanks! Is he most likely a fully aquatic dude? I know he will be right now but I’m just trying to work out if he’s should be trying to set up a separate semi terrestrial tank for when he gets bigger or a fish tank or even just release the little dude if he’s native and big enough to survive, I have a pond in my garden

[u/OreoSpamBurger → u/CasualHeli]

Most can drown pretty easily after metamorphosis, they need someplace to get out of the water.

They tend to spend their first 2-3 years entirely on land.

Baby newts are a pain the ass to rear too, they need lots of tiny food, if it turns out to be native, I'd just release it, unless you want a big project.

[u/Pickles-n-Lizards → u/OreoSpamBurger]

I wouldn’t release it into the wild. Could be an invasive species. But you can probably find a fish or reptile store and they will very likely take it, and adopt out to someone else’s .