activity level?

Hi there,
I have a question concerning the normal activity level of axolotl.
My two axolotl (12cm and 15cm long, maybe 6 months old?)
are not doing very much, they are mainly just sitting around.
I have seen pictures here and videos on youtube where
axies swim around or go exploring...
mine only move around when food is involved, especially
if the food is earthworms.:lick:
They also dont "float" or hang in the middle of the tank.

In the week when I got them (3 weeks ago) they were
getting air from the surface occastionally, but even this
has stopped now.
Both my axies miss all legs and arms and are now very busy
re- growing their limbs.
Might their quiet behaviour be connected to that?

I also changed from a bare bottom tank to a sand bottom tank.
Bad?

I post a picture of the bigger one of my axies (15cm, wild coloured),
he does not look stressed or sick?



Is their quiet behaviour normal for this age or size?

It is winter in NZ, the temperatur of the tank water
was around 15-17 degrees Celsius in the past week.

Oh, I think my tank is still cycling.
I do my 10-20% water changes still every day.
Sorry, I didnt have the money yet to buy a test kit...

Hi Ellen,

Axolotls are pretty lazy by nature, while juveniles will be more active than the adults they are still pretty lazy creatures during the day. At night if you spy on them with a torch, you will in all likelihood find a party going on!

As long as the axolotls are eating well and are not showing any signs of stress such as excessive swimming, floating, panicking or not eating - I wouldn't worry.

Sitting down the bottom is good.

Maybe your juveniles are just maturing fast!

Thanks Havelock.

Even at night they seem a bit lazy....
I already thought about getting some guppy as feeder fish
to wake up the old hunting instinct and provide some
exercise...

ellenant said:

I already thought about getting some guppy as feeder fish
to wake up the old hunting instinct and provide some
exercise...

Click to expand...

What does every one think about this?
I know that fish can damage axolotls gills and stuff but i am also thinking about putting about 2 or 3 guppies in my tank of my 3 axolotls to hunt down.

Any Ideas

ellenant said:

I already thought about getting some guppy as feeder fish to wake up the old hunting instinct and provide some exercise...

Click to expand...

Umm, you might want to hold that thought until the axies possess all their faculties for the hunt (ie. their legs) to keep up with the rush and snap of the 'hunting instinct' - it's more sporting that way!

broadbent30 said:

What does every one think about this?
I know that fish can damage axolotls gills and stuff but i am also thinking about putting about 2 or 3 guppies in my tank of my 3 axolotls to hunt down.

Any Ideas

Click to expand...

Hi Broadbent,

This thread is very helpful in regards to keeping guppies and other suitable feeder fish in with the axies: http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=56242&highlight=guppies

Guppies are prolific breeders (Hope I've spelt that correctly - I don't think so though ). Some members that opt to use guppies as feeder fish keep their guppies in a separate breeding tank so the food supply is constant.

Sorry to hijack your thread Ellen!

Cheers Jacq.

No worries!

in this threat they also say that Guppies usually
dont chew on the gills of the axies.

I am really keen on giving it a go!

But you are right, maybe I should wait until
the legs grow back.
At the moment they are just crawling around
on their bellies...

Well, Suzie and Max are fine catching and battling live earthworms...

Hi Ellen,

Guppies do not nip at an axolotl's gills but I have been told that if the axolotl has an injury, the guppies will nip and nip and nip at it.

-Eva

I see, sounds like a good idea to me ill check out that link and might grab some tomorrow .