Axolotls and the beginner

[goodogcarl]

i just bought a 75-gallon aquarium . . . i had someone very knowledgeable set it up for me, so i'm doing everything by the book.

i'm interested in an axolotl . . . is this something a beginner should not tackle?

the guy who set up my aquarium told me their novelty would wear off soon and that they were shy and hid a lot -- if they're healthy and happy i don't mind if they spend some time hiding

can more than one be kept in a 75-gallon aquarium?

thanks for any help.

[Cam]

Originally Posted by goodogcarl

i just bought a 75-gallon aquarium . . . i had someone very knowledgeable set it up for me, so i'm doing everything by the book.

i'm interested in an axolotl . . . is this something a beginner should not tackle?

the guy who set up my aquarium told me their novelty would wear off soon and that they were shy and hid a lot -- if they're healthy and happy i don't mind if they spend some time hiding

can more than one be kept in a 75-gallon aquarium?

thanks for any help.

I'm a new axolotl owner, too. However, based on what I've seen on this forum, and based on what I've seen my younger brother's axolotls do, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that your aquarium professional is misinformed when it comes to how AWESOME axies are :)

From what I've seen they don't hide that often, and they are much more entertaining than a fish. You could keep probably up to 6 adults in a 75 gallon tank. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The key to a happy axolotl is as follows: still water (no or minimal water movement), clean water, low lights, low temperatures (68F, no more than 72F at the very most), high quality pellet food supplemented with live feeders like earthworms or roaches. Feeder fish are not recommended because they are notorious for carrying parasites.

[goodogcarl]

thanks for your response cam . . . when you say a 75-gallon tank could support 6 axolotls are you saying "and nothing else" or is that six axolotls and other fish?

what happens to the axolotl if there is too much water motion?

[Kaysie]

It depends on the dimension of your tank. Axolotls are bottom-dwellers and don't use the water column much. If your tank is tall, you won't be able to keep as many than you would if your tank is long.

It's generally not recommended to keep fish with axies. Some fish will nibble on gills, while others will be eaten by greedy axies. If those fish are barbed, it could be the death of both the fish and the axie. And fish just add more waste to the tank.

If your filter current is too strong, your axies will be stressed. That can lead to a higher susceptibility to fungus and infection.

And for the love of all things slimy, do not use gravel!

[Cam]

Originally Posted by goodogcarl

thanks for your response cam . . . when you say a 75-gallon tank could support 6 axolotls are you saying "and nothing else" or is that six axolotls and other fish?

You should really never keep fish with your axies. Axolotls have big feathery gills that look irresistibly tasty to a fish.

[Cheva]

I was a beginner with my axolotls .. This site is a valuable resource! Use the search option for any questions you may have and if no answer is found ask away!

Axies ive found have amazing personalities, they follow you around the tank and often come out to say hi when they know feeding time is due..

[SapphireTigress]

I was a TOTAL aquarium beginner with my axie, i was told that I should just clean the tank when it got dirty and it would be A-OK. However, even though she was an impulse buy, I immediately set her up in clean spring water, and dived in (haha) to researching. I was lucky enough to have a axie breeder randomly friended on my FB who helped tremendously in pointing me toward tank cycling etc, and when I *finally* ended up figuring out how to do it with the axie already in the tank (poor girl lol) I was doing great!

She was super small when I got her, and very active, as I've read that they seem to be more active when smaller. Now she walks (and sometimes stomps...its SO cute!!) around the bottom, occasionally coming up for air, and I never get tired of watching her. I'm super sad I'm going to have to move her into a 20 gallon pretty soon (since she wont be able to fit on my desk anymore), and I am trying to figure out a way to be able to keep her where I can watch her all day :)

They are certainly not boring, and she spends most of her time walking around, only hiding if its super bright. I do, however, have 3 of the 4 sides of her tank papered, so that the light in my house doesnt stress her.

I was pretty much hooked the first day I brought her home and got her in her tank ...I want more!! When I get a house I'm going to be trying to "collect them all!" :P

PS: read your hiney off about tank cycling...before you get the axie is SO much faster and easier than with the axie in the tank!!!