Animal section
Amphibians
Axolotls, frogs and newts, and their sensitive environments.
Species profiles
Standardised husbandry data for each animal in this group.
Axolotl
Axolotls are neotenic salamanders that never leave the water. They are charming and long-lived if you can reliably keep the tank cool.
Lifespan 10–15 years · Care complexity 3/5
Hymenochirus boettgeriAfrican Dwarf Frog
African dwarf frogs are peaceful, fully aquatic amphibians that suit a small, gently filtered species tank.
Lifespan 5–10 years · Care complexity 2/5
Ceratophrys ornataPacman Frog
Pacman frogs are hardy, striking and almost entirely sedentary — an excellent choice for keepers who want a low-activity display amphibian.
Lifespan 6–10 years · Care complexity 3/5
Cynops orientalisFire-Bellied Newt
Fire-bellied newts are long-lived, undemanding amphibians for cool rooms, best kept as an observation species with strict hygiene.
Lifespan 10–20 years · Care complexity 3/5
Bombina orientalisOriental Fire-Bellied Toad
Fire-bellied toads are hardy, colourful amphibians that display a bright warning belly when threatened. They are easy to keep in a simple paludarium but should be watched rather than handled often.
Lifespan 10–15 years in captivity · Care complexity 2/5
Ambystoma tigrinumTiger Salamander
Tiger salamanders are large, burrowing amphibians that spend most of their time hidden in moist substrate. They are calm to handle occasionally but do best mostly left undisturbed.
Lifespan 12–15 years, sometimes over 20 · Care complexity 3/5
Guides for this group
Care, health, behaviour and nutrition reading.
Aquarium Water Chemistry and the Nitrogen Cycle
Most fish illness is a water quality problem. Understanding cycling is the core skill of fishkeeping.
James Whitcombe · 9 min read · Updated 2026-07-14
Exotic petsExotic Pet Welfare and the Wildlife Trade
How to keep unusual species responsibly, and how to avoid supporting wild capture and illegal trade.
Aisha Nkemdirim · 9 min read · Updated 2026-08-30
InterviewsInterview: A Conservation Biologist on the Exotic Pet Trade
A conversation about wild-caught reptiles, captive breeding fraud and what a responsible exotic pet buyer can realistically check.
Lucy Fernandes · 9 min read · Updated 2026-08-30