Axolotl?

[Shovelman]

Seen them at my LFS and seem awesome! From the research ive gathered they can get up to 1' but typically aren't super active so a tank of 15-20gallons could suit one, they are messy and need good filtration. Will eat pellets (specific for them), earthworms being most always accepted. Cooler temperature (just don't add a heater then?)

So any other key facts would be nice if im missing any.

The reason why im asking is because i have a spare 20 gallon tall sitting in my brothers room, and extra bag of pool filter sand, and a bunch of cool petrified wood (rocks) sitting around, and the urge to set the tank up. Does a set up including those past items fit the idea? Would the petrified wood hurt the Axolotl's skin? I heard sand is OK as the usual is large rocks that cannot be swallowed...but just making sure....will sand be fine? And are hardy live plants a good choice for their tank? (anubias attached to rocks etc?)

 

[ripil]

yeah their a bit cute imo. i'd love to have an albino one. the wife won't let me thou as she says they remind her of the 3d baby scans which freak her out lol the price of the 3d baby scan freaked me out. she wins, she'll always win, she's always won.

 

[Shovelman]

yeah their a bit cute imo. i'd love to have an albino one. the wife won't let me thou as she says they remind her of the 3d baby scans which freak her out lol the price of the 3d baby scan freaked me out. she wins, she'll always win, she's always won.

hahahaha well the wife is ALWAYS right....right? and id agree that they are cute, i love oddballs and well...Axolotls seem to fit the description...

 

[Fishy96]

Hey,
Axolotls are great I have one at the moment. Sands fine as a base and the rocks will be suitable as they like hiding places.
They will swallow some sand as they eat etc. but it can go through them with out causing damage, but i always tried to feed mine by hand just to make sure.
Hardy live plants which are stuck to the wood should be fine as axolotls make a habit of digging up roots.

Ill try answer any other questions you have

Have fun!

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I have loads of silk plants in with my axolotls.

 

[Jenste]

The most important parts are 1) temperature - best kept under 68*F, anything over 72*F for a long period of time can make them very ill. 2) diet - no beef heart, no liver, no cat food - the best diet is earthworms.


Each axolotl is different, I have had more and less active axololts, but a tank that size is fine - it is recommended 10 gallons / 1 square foot of floorspace per adult.

 

[blinky000]

Axolotls definitely prefer a larger surface area to walk around on since they only swim when they get spooked. If they're big enough in the store, try to sex them or you may end up like me with hundreds of them! A couple of things to get you started: here's the forum I've been using since before I got mine, and their website that taught me everything that experience didn't.

http/www.caudata.org/

http/www.axolotl.org/

As aquatic life goes, they're pretty low maintenance. All they ask is that you give them regular water changes, some balanced food and some attention. They're actually quite interactive pets. Mine will follow me around the room from inside their tank, plodding like little dinosaurs Some of them even enjoy a head rub from time to time.
One word of caution, though. They live a loooong time and they're quite hardy so they don't turn their toes up quite so readily as goldfish, for instance. My oldest are about 9 now but they can live to be 15+. Just make sure you'll want them in a decade or so

 

[Shovelman]

Axolotls definitely prefer a larger surface area to walk around on since they only swim when they get spooked. If they're big enough in the store, try to sex them or you may end up like me with hundreds of them! A couple of things to get you started: here's the forum I've been using since before I got mine, and their website that taught me everything that experience didn't.

http/www.caudata.org/

http/www.axolotl.org/

As aquatic life goes, they're pretty low maintenance. All they ask is that you give them regular water changes, some balanced food and some attention. They're actually quite interactive pets. Mine will follow me around the room from inside their tank, plodding like little dinosaurs Some of them even enjoy a head rub from time to time.
One word of caution, though. They live a loooong time and they're quite hardy so they don't turn their toes up quite so readily as goldfish, for instance. My oldest are about 9 now but they can live to be 15+. Just make sure you'll want them in a decade or so

Goldfish can live just as long..lol just a fun fact there....any who, thanks for all the replies! Ive researched them a couple years ago but just re-thought them...and so far, only one problem...Temperature.....(misread a website thinking their tolerance of temperature was higher...) Because my parents don't turn on the ac until it gets to be a good 80 degrees F or more i don't think an Axolotl will be the right choice for this tank.....unless i want to biol them for dinner.... or until i get my own place and can put it in basement or where i please...