Dwarf Waterdogs

[Necturus punctatus]

  Quick Reference Care Guide

Housing:

  • 20 - 40 gallons depending on number

  • Water MUST be dechlorinated and should be properly cycled

  • Water should be kept between 60F and 75F ideally. Room temperature is typically fine as long as your house stays under 80F

  • Sand substrate with large (3-4'“ diameter) river rocks imbedded and stacked, leaving gaps and crevices between. This species loves to wedge into small spaces between rocks.

    NO GRAVEL

  • Tankmates should only include other, similarly sized Dwarf Waterdogs. DO NOT MIX SPECIES, NOT EVEN OTHER NECTURUS SPECIES. DO NOT MIX WITH TROPICAL FISH.

  • Your tank should have a secure lid. Necturus are escape artists, and can fit through shockingly small spaces. 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 necturus really enjoy hiding and feeling covered.

  • Hides can be easily made from PVC or ABS pipes from your local hardware store, but sand with large stones for them to wedge between is the best setup in my experience.

  • normal aquarium lights are fine so long as the necturus have adequate cover.

Food and Diet:

  • Necturus prefer live food such as earthworms and blackworms, but may also accept frozen foods like bloodworms and brineshrimp. Earthworms are arguably the best, most complete diet to offer necturus and most other large salamanders.

Lifespan:

  • There’s not a lot of data on lifespan.

  • Dwarf Waterdogs usually grow to around 4-6 inches

Project Status:

We have not yet accomplished breeding in this animal; our captive individuals are still growing.

Animal Availability:

None Available, this animal will not be available until captive breeding has been accomplished