getting my first axolotl. tips for set up and care?

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biohazardcustomz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 4, 2010
519
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illinois
hey i have been fascinated with axolotls since the first day i laid eyes on one. it was on tv and it was one of the coolest things ive ever seen. well i FINALLY found a pet store within 100 miles of me that has them. and they are sooooo friggen cool. i stopped by after reading an advert online about many different species available so i figured why not. and there they were, two albinos and one normal color axo.

sooooo i have a brand new sea clear acrylic 20 gallon. but i also have a 20 gallon glass tank. the glass tank is up and running with fish in it. and has been for a while. i dont know which one would work better. if the glass would be better i can switch my substrate and filter to the acrylic tank like originally planned and use the glass tank for the axo. but i think he would look cool in the acrylic tank too.

also im thinking the larger decorative gem looking rocks for substrate. i know gravel isnt good cuz they will eat it. and sand is a mess.

also for the set up time. i know the cycle process. i have several fish tanks. more than 10. i have all testing supplies, well water with no chlorine, and a python for water changes. alot of online sources say just frequent water changes when first starting off to lower ammonia and nitrite but is this bad for an axolotl or should i cycle it first before i get him. if so what should i use? i can seed it with other filter media but i dont know if i should put some fish in there to get it ready or if it would matter. i know the axos will eat fish so i figure put a few mollies or guppys in there that i bred so i know they are disease free and then add the axo and let him eat them. some resources say that you dont HAVE to have a filter on the tank. i obviously will but i figure they are not as fragile as fish because of that statement.

lastly the water level. i was told the level of water in the tank does not matter as long as the axo is completely submerged. is this true? i wouldn't want just a little bit of water in the tank because i would be using a hang on back type filter and i dont want the excess water noise. so i wont have a problem filling it like a regular tank, right?

sorry to babble on but im really excited. i thought i would never find one to keep as a pet due to them being critically endangered. most pet stores around here dont look to see that the law states if bred in the us in captivity its not protected with that law. and just tell people they cant get them. i was really surprised to find one. and now i feel like a giddy child.
 
How many are you planning to get? A 20 gallon should be fine for one, or two babies. Personally I don't have any substrate in the bottom of my axie tank as I find it much easier to clean. Also make sure that any decorations that you add don't have any sharp corners, Axie skin is very fragile.
You can cycle the tank if you want, but remember if you use fish to cycle that to make sure the tank cools down before you put the axies in. If you use any chemicals in the tank make sure that none of the items have malachite green in them its highly toxic to axies.
I would use a filter on the tank, they tend to be a little messy and it helps keep it clean. Add a spray bar to the filter output so that the current does not stress the axie out.
You should have no problem at all filling your tank like a normal fish tank. Also while doing a water change, try to make the water your changing it with about the same temperature as the tank.
I know all this because I own 2 of them myself!
 
my cousin has four apparently they are are very lox care they can even be trained to become terrestrial no more need for water. but it shortens life span.

they can even regenerate limbs he bought one with only one foot and now it has four.
 
im thinkin one for now. i would like to get two and breed them for local pet stores but id like to get one and get familiar with them first. if i tried breeding it would be in a twenty long probably.maybe a 30 long if i can get my hands on one. but i wanna focus on now. i would be using a hang on back filter for the tank. so i couldnt use a spray bar. another reason why i would want the water level high. and also is cycleing with fish the best idea? i would use a heater to shorten the cycle but of i would take it out of course for the axo of course as i know they need colder water.
 
Idk about the cycling part but my bio teacher has a reg and an albino is a 20gl and she has gravel in it also without a problem. I was talking to her about them because I want one also. She said you have to keep the water very clean. She also said that the albino is blind I am not sure if all albinos are though but it has no issues finding food. I don't think the heater will help cycle the tank. She also keeps them with the tank full. That is all I can think of right now but when I remember more I will post it if you still need help.
 
ok so i got the axo today:nilly: he is in my already cycled 20 gal until the acrylic cycles. anywho he is friggen awesome. i do want to know if thats true about all albinos being blind. he is albino and very pretty. he is my new favorite. again sorry to be giddy but as i said before, i have been looking for one of these guys for EVER. im so happy i found one. again thanks for all of the advice and/or responses. :popcorn:
 
i hear you have to keep them, slightly cool. like 70-72. and they like slightly alkaline water like a ph of maybe 8. also i have heard of people keeping axolotls with new world cichlids and even mexican blind cave tetras. they dont like bright lights and are prone to parasites. you can switch them to terrestrial, but it shortens their lifespan. also they can be kept in warmer water, but you have to slowly acclimatae them to it. and they are aggressive when they are in breeding mood. i know of a lfs that had some and they where breeding and a jag cichlid got too close, he is no longer with us. good luck. i am looking for some for my 125 with my cichlids
 
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