Hi from north yorkshire...guidance with axolotl plz

[waggy1987]

Hi there im new to this site.My name is dan.Tonight i collected 3 axolotls as a surprise for my daughter.There is 2females and 1male.Any tips and suggestions to caring for them would be great as this is all new for my family. Thanks

[Arie]

Hello and congratulations on your axolotls! I would really recommend reading the axolotl care article on this site as it has a lot of great guidance for setting up a habitat for your new axies. One of the major things to consider with your axolotls, though, is substrate. Make sure that you don't use gravel in the bottom of the tank that is smaller than the axolotl's head. They will eat it and then not be able to pass it through. Sand is a great substrate because they can pass it and it keeps the tank bottom from being bare (which can be stressful), just be sure that it is mostly silica or quartz based so that it doesn't mess with the water quality (you want to use something inert). Avoid using sand for reptile habitats because they often have additives that are bad for the water in an axolotl tank. Too high of a pH can harm the little guys! Also, be sure to keep the temperatures in the tank below 20 degrees Celsius and provide plenty of hides for them. Axolotls don't have eyelids so they need some shade from the light. Hope that helps to get you started and if you have any other questions after reading the care sheet, please ask! There are plenty of very helpful and knowledgeable people on this site!

[waggy1987]

Hi nothern forest thanks for that I will have to have a read up,we had some large pebbles in and we tool them out asap and its all sand now we a heater in but turned it off at min as seems to be staying at 20 without it.one hasnt any feathers on its gills is there a reason and will they grow back,how can we tell the sex,do we have the light on or off,whats the best filter,what to eat and how often and ones feathered gills seemed to discolour now fed theyv brightened sorry for all the questions i will look at the care sheet and the woman we got them off was very clueless thanks

[TyloDude]

Hey Dan,

Welcome to the site, There's going to be loads of people to help you out!

[waggy1987]

Hi tylodude yeah its been a great help already :)

[Cheva]

Originally Posted by waggy1987

Hi nothern forest thanks for that I will have to have a read up,we had some large pebbles in and we tool them out asap and its all sand now we a heater in but turned it off at min as seems to be staying at 20 without it.one hasnt any feathers on its gills is there a reason and will they grow back,how can we tell the sex,do we have the light on or off,whats the best filter,what to eat and how often and ones feathered gills seemed to discolour now fed theyv brightened sorry for all the questions i will look at the care sheet and the woman we got them off was very clueless thanks

Sexing - Great article here on how to tell the sex Axolotls - Biology

Keep the light off, they prefer a little darkness..

Find a filter suitable to the size of your tank, find a good local Aquarium store to help you out. Much more knowledgable then generic pet stores.

They love eating Earthworms and Bloodworms.. More information on feeding here Axolotls - Feeding

[Jan]

Have a look at this page...loads of information on caring for axolotls...think you will find it most helpful: Caudata Culture Axolotl Articles

And this caresheet in case you haven't seen it: Caudata Culture Species Entry - Ambystoma mexicanum - Axolotl

[waggy1987]

Thanks all for ur great help any ideas how to keep temp down in my tank its around 22 and should be lower thanks

[Jan]

Here is a Caudata Culture article on cooling methods: Caudata Culture Articles - Cooling

For help questions, please post in the axolotl subforum....you'll get a quicker response than continuing in the Introductions area.

[waggy1987]

thanks jan how do i do that

[waggy1987]

thanks managed to do it