Coastal Giant Salamanders

Quick Reference Care Guide

40 - 75+ gallons depending on number
Water MUST be dechlorinated and should be properly cycled
Water should be kept below 70F ideally. You may need to keep this species in a room of the house with air conditioning,
Sand substrate ideal. Bury and stack large river rocks (3-4“ diameter) and leave large gaps between. NO GRAVEL
This species needs lots of space and hides, especially when kept in groups as they can be a bit more on the aggressive side, especially around food.
Tankmates should only include other, similarly sized D. tenebrosus. DO NOT MIX SPECIES, NOT EVEN OTHER DICAMPTODON SPECIES. DO NOT MIX WITH TROPICAL FISH.
Your tank should have a secure lid. Dicamptodon are escape artists, and are surprisingly good climbers. Even larval dicamptodon have the ability to scale container walls. Escape attempts are especially frequent when they are introduced into a new tank.
Sponge filters are the best option, but mechanical filters are only ok as long as there is 100% absolutely no way for the salamander to get into the intake.
Plants such as Anacharis, Vallisneria, Java Moss, and Water Lotus are excellent choices, as dicamptodon do not like being exposed and these plants provide great cover.
Hides can be easily made from PVC or ABS pipes from your local hardware store, but rocks and pavers stacked to leave hiding crevices are the best for this species.
normal aquarium lights are fine so long as the salamander has adequate cover.

Dicamptodon or quite voracious carnivores, and will eat most small live foods such as snails, worms, and guppies. Large earthworms are typically the ideal food for this type of salamander, as they offer a fairly complete range of nutrients.

We have not yet accomplished breeding in this species.

None Available, this animal will not be available