Axolotl (Ambystoma Mexicanum)

[Blue Ramirezi]

does any1 know anything about axolotls? I have a 300L tank for it and I need some keeping advice.

 

[creeker]

Here's a website with anything you could ever want to know about them.

http/www.axolotl.org/

 

[fishguy2727]

Stick with high quality pellets, the meaty foods are not nutritionally complete or balanced.

Sand is the only good substrate for them. Gravel is too big, it can become impacted when they inevitably swallow some. Bare bottom gives them nothing to grip which stresses them and causes sores on their toes.

They need cool temps, nothing over about 73F.

Aeration is very important. Many use sponge filters as the only form of filtration with axolotls.

They need to be kept only with similar sized axolotls. The only other thing I have had success keeping with them are fancy goldfish. Neither is fast enough to bother the other.

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

I was thinking maybe getting a thin layer of coarse gravel, I dont intend on keeping any other fish with it and I have a 300L tank for it. can you keep plants in the tank though?

or could I maybe even just put lots of pebbles? would a submergable filter work? and do I need a pumb like an air rock?

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

oh and what decor can I use?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I was thinking maybe getting a thin layer of coarse gravel, I dont intend on keeping any other fish with it and I have a 300L tank for it. can you keep plants in the tank though?

or could I maybe even just put lots of pebbles? would a submergable filter work? and do I need a pumb like an air rock?

Gravel is a no no.

Large pebbles or sand are the way forward. I have a link to caudata in my footer - they have lots of info....also there is an invertibrate section on this forum which will be more useful linky = http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/30-invertebrates-amphibians-aquatic-reptiles-forum/

What size is the tank (dimensions) not litreage. It's generally recommended a 2 foot tank for 1 axolotl.

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

I'm not actually sure were only getting it in a few days but if I were 2 estimate 120cm 35cm 20cm w h b

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I'm not actually sure were only getting it in a few days but if I were 2 estimate 120cm 35cm 20cm w h b

The ground space is more important than the height for an axolotl; or course they need height to their tank but it's more important to have space for them to walk around on (i.e. attempt to stalk their food).

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

well it is 120 cm wide

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Depending on other dimensions you will probably be able to get two or three in there. If its narrow then two, if it's wider than three.

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

yay three. I want to get the white ones. but wait where on EARTH can I get one!?!?!?!?

 

[blinky000]

That depends, whereabouts are you in the world?
By the way, axolotls won't need any kind of lighting like fish would. They naturally like dark places to hide so big pipes from a DIY store can make for a good decoration. They're pretty low maintenance as aquatic things go. Just bear in mind that they get many of the same diseases as fish but a lot of fish meds are unsuitable for axolotls so they're a bit more tricky to treat when they do get ill. Also, they can get in excess of 30cm. My biggest is about 36cm so make sure they have plenty of room to grow. One more thing, I'd recommend getting adolescent ones so they've reached sexual maturity and you can differentiate between male and female. Start out by getting 3 of the same. The babies aren't quite so little maintenance

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

thanks btw I live in south africa

 

[creeker]

Be careful where you buy them. When I was retailing/wholesaling fish, we would get in what were called Axolotl. In reality I believe they were Tiger Salamander larva. Most of them would morph into Tiger Salamanders within 6 months. These were the dark greenish/brown ones. You have to be careful because in the pet industry they go by "trade names." Because something looks like a species, it gets called that even if it's some other similar species. They also come up with their own names for some fish and amphibs. The tipoff should have been that these guys were so cheap. When we got real Axolotls, they were the white ones, and cost about twice as much as the others. Not sure if the pet industry works the same in South Africa as it does here in the U.S., just something to maybe be aware of.

 

[Blue Ramirezi]

thanks for the warning, how much did your axolotl cost? and can I order online