I was thinking about buying one? I am going to research them on the web, but would like to know any info you could tell me.
Anyone have an Axolotl?
- Thread starter EliWhitney314
- Start date
Yes, I do have two. They are a little more picky than fish, and do need some specialized care.
They are even more sensitive to water quality and ammonia levels than fish are, and need to be kept at the proper temp. Any temps 75 degrees Fahrenheit and over will cause sever stress, shock and death.
Substrate is very important as they can fit a lot into their very wide mouths. Any type of stone or gravel is dangerous and can cause deadly impactions. Sand is a safe substrate, although barebottom is easiest.
There are not many fish that can be kept with them. Anything guppy size will be eaten, and anything larger poses a threat to the delicate external gills of the axies. I have so far had luck keeping giant danios with my axies, they are top swimmers and fast enough to escape the axies notice, and yet don't show a need to pick at the axies.
Video of my tank
[YT]IB8hWhxHdGY[/YT]
For more info I would check out www.axolotl.org
Kristina
They are even more sensitive to water quality and ammonia levels than fish are, and need to be kept at the proper temp. Any temps 75 degrees Fahrenheit and over will cause sever stress, shock and death.
Substrate is very important as they can fit a lot into their very wide mouths. Any type of stone or gravel is dangerous and can cause deadly impactions. Sand is a safe substrate, although barebottom is easiest.
There are not many fish that can be kept with them. Anything guppy size will be eaten, and anything larger poses a threat to the delicate external gills of the axies. I have so far had luck keeping giant danios with my axies, they are top swimmers and fast enough to escape the axies notice, and yet don't show a need to pick at the axies.
Video of my tank
[YT]IB8hWhxHdGY[/YT]
For more info I would check out www.axolotl.org
Kristina
A friend of mine keeps a pair of axolotls. They only eat live (or warm) food, so feeding them can be a bit of an issue. Their diet usually consists of tiny rosy barbs (sold as feeder fish here) and they make a nice companion to the axolotls for display. The axolotl's gills are very tasty though, and just the right size to fit into a goldfish's mouth. Even the rosy barbs will nip at them after the axolotls have eaten and they know they are safe.
The axolotls I have seen in shops seem to like to climb and hide in plants, so perhaps some caves and such are a good idea.
The axolotls I have seen in shops seem to like to climb and hide in plants, so perhaps some caves and such are a good idea.
I am not sure I understand the reference to "warm" food, and in all honesty, a steady diet of rosy barbs sounds like a terrible diet for axies. There is no variation to provide a wide array of vitamins and nutrients. With any living thing, a variety of foods is extremely important.
The best food is the soft pellets that are sold to feed salmon in private ponds, etc. They also greatly enjoy redworms, I mean OMG do they love them, along with blackworms, bloodworms, shrimp pellets, the occasional guppy or ghost shrimp, and white worms or grindal worms can be fed as a treat.
You can also use soft trout pellets. They do not seem to care all that much for harder ones. I have some sinking reptile sticks and I have fed those also, they gobble them right up.
Kristina
The best food is the soft pellets that are sold to feed salmon in private ponds, etc. They also greatly enjoy redworms, I mean OMG do they love them, along with blackworms, bloodworms, shrimp pellets, the occasional guppy or ghost shrimp, and white worms or grindal worms can be fed as a treat.
You can also use soft trout pellets. They do not seem to care all that much for harder ones. I have some sinking reptile sticks and I have fed those also, they gobble them right up.
Kristina
I didn't realise they would eat any pellets , my brother has 2 that eat mostly prawns & worms & occasional treat of beefheart. The pellets you are talking about would i find them in a fish bait shop ?
The pellets can be purchased here http://www.ambystoma.org/AGSC/food.htm
Personally I would not feed beef heart. I think it is too rich for them. As they say on www.axolotl.org I am pretty sure that axies do not prey on cows in the wild, lol!
Kristina
Personally I would not feed beef heart. I think it is too rich for them. As they say on www.axolotl.org I am pretty sure that axies do not prey on cows in the wild, lol!
Kristina