Confused

Hey all, I just bought a golden albino axolotl, he's my first one ever, and i was wondering if you could answer me 3 questions.

1st, My axolotl (I havent named him yet)was bought primarly not just as a pet, but also for me to observe and such for a school assignment, i am studying axolotls in depth. I was wondering if it would be possible to take him to school every monday morning and bring him home every friday afternoon, (He'd be staying in the school tank during the week). Would that be ok for him, or would it be too upsetting. If it is too upsetting its fine for me to keep him at home, but if it is ok for me to take him then would you know a way to safely take him there and back?

2nd. I am a bit concerned with how he is acting in his new tank, he'll repeatedly bump his nose against the glass in the same corner, and then swim up and down, bumping his nose agaisnt it. sometimes he goes so high his head is almost out of the water. I thought it might be stress, he only moved in a day ago. I was reading around and its said you should have somewhere for him to hide, if I put in half a flower pot for him to hide in will that help? my tank currently has in it only 3 fake plants, smallish stones and a filter,its a small tank (41-23-20) but hes the only one in it and he is quite small still.

3rd, I dont know if i should worry about this just yet but i thought i would ask just in case, i've got this special axolotl food from the pet shop i bought him from, and i'm putting it in the tank for him to eat, but he just ignores it. Is something wrong or am i just worrying for no reason?

OH, and can anyone tell me what 'Cycling' means? *blushes* sorry, as i said, this is my first axolotl, i'm doing this assignment so i can find out more about the,

For cycling see http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

I would not suggest transporting the axolotl twice a week to a new enclosure. This would mean that the axololt is being transported between two probably cycling tanks.

I suspect the axolotl is stressed and this why it is moving around in the manner you describe as well as refusing food.

I would suggest reading the following and seeing that you are meeting the conditions outlined in the article to see if it answers any other questions.
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_mexicanum.shtml

Ed

ok, thanks for that he's calmed down a lot now anyway

does anyone know what can cause stress to them and how you can reduce it? o.0

Where in australia are u olivia

cycling can cause alot of stress, you can help him two ways- alot of water changes in his tank, possibly daily or move him into a small container with 100% daily water changes.

how big are the stones? axies can fit stones 2cm or so in their mouths easily, while he might be unable to eat them now he will be able to soon. if you change them to something else now it wont disrupt the cycle cause it wont have started too much yet. sand, slate or nothing are some of the options around.

high temperatures can also cause stress. anything about 24C is considered very dangerous.

new surroundings also cause stress, he doesnt have a clue where he is and probably thinks a monster is going to come eat him lol. keep the movement and lights in his room to a minimum and he should calm down and settle in quickly.

good luck with your axie!

i live in NSW, around camden, narellan, camblelltown areas, and thanks for the info!

If he keeps refusing the pellets after he has settled in, try some different live foods such as earthworms. Axies generally locate their food using smell and visuals. So if the food doesnt have a strong enough smell and/or move around enough he might not identify it as food.