Axolotl help

Hello, I've fallen in love with axolotls and thought I should ask a few questions before I get any so I can try give them the best care possible :happy:

-I have a 60L tank(24 inches by 12 inches by 12 and a half inches) is this big enough for two axolotls?
-For the bottom of the tank, is aquarium sand the best? and will i get that at a pet shop?
-If I get two young axolotls, would it be best to split the tank in 2 until they are grown, and how would i make a tank divider?
-Is it best to feed them live food? and could I keep a tank of those sea-monkey type things?(Daphnia shrimp? I forget the name.)
-Do they get ill easily, and are they generally easy to treat if they are?
-Would the best place to get some be on here?(I don't know anywhere nearby that has them, though there is a local reptile store I might ask)
-I have an Elite Stingray 15 water filter, would this be ok if I pointed the flow back towards the glass behind the filter?
-I am in scotland, would I need a heater to keep it at the right temp or would it be ok without one?(I know they are cold water, but they don't like temp changes, so I'm not sure :S)


Thank you for any help you can give, and if there's anything else you can add in about their care please do :grin:

Hi Emmma,

It is always good that you do your research before committing to a pet. Have a look at these links.
http://www.axolotl.org/
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/articles.shtml
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_mexicanum.shtml

Your tank can house one adult axie comfortably. With 2 axies, it can become quite a squeeze and you might have to compromise in terms of space for hiding logs etc. In addition, you would have to be extra diligent with water changes as more axies in a smaller volume means that the water would get fouled quickly. You want to ensure the axie gets as much 'walking' space as possible. You would have to decide this yourself.

You can keep your tank bare bottomed or with sand susbtrate. Freshwater aquarium sand, pool filter sand and children play pit sand are all suitable. Ensure that the diameter is 2mm or less to be on the safe side. You can get sand from aquarium shops.

Young axolotls can have cannibalistic tendencies but if you ensure that there is enough space in the tank (not overcrowded), that they are well fed or even fed separately, you can greatly minimise the chances of cannabilism. A tank divider is still useful if you are worried. You can purchase them from aquarium shops too i believe. Tank dividers will also be useful to prevent breeding although its not a 100% full proof plan.

Live food is great nutrition. Blackworms and bloodworms as well as daphnia, artemia etc. are ideal for the wee ones. Once they get older you can try earthworms. Live food stimulate feeding and are nutritionally complete. It is best to offer a variety of food to ensure optimal nutrition.

Axolotls are relatively hardy and can give years of enjoyment provided there is good husbandry. A lot of axie illnesses are a result of poor management of tank parameters, nutrition etc. so its actually quite avoidable. Fridging is an easy non-invasive procedure that is a general panacea for a lot of axie illnesses. On the downside, there are not many vets around who specialise in or are familiar with axolotl medicine.

You can try for the for sale classifieds section of this forum to find a potential pet.

Your filter is an internal filter. Some internal filters can raise the water temperature so you have to watch for that. Otherwise, turning the flow setting down to low, use of a spray bar, diffusing with strategically placed ornaments or against glass surfaces are all effective strategies to minimise currents.

Axolotls do prefer the cold. They can stay in waters as cold as 5 degree celsius for a long time without harm. Anything above 22 degree celsius is too warm and can stress them. Ideally a range of 16-18 degree celsius is best. You also want to avoid fluctuations. I believe a heater if used correctly and appropriately can help stabalise the water temperature to ideal range especially during scottish winters.

Cheers.

Thank you very much for your help :happy:

I think I'll just get the one then, I'd hate them to feel cramped! Provided one on it's own wouldn't get lonely?

I'm trying to find a bigger tank though so maybe one day I'll have two or even lots of babies!

Thanks again :happy:

Hi emmma,

Don't worry, the axie would not feel lonely.

With a 3 foot tank you can have a pair or even 3 comfortably. With 4 ft, 2 pairs or even 3 pairs (if they are smaller axies) will still be fine. Warning though, axies are addictive!

I started out with a pair in a 2 and half foot tank. When i got a 4x2x2 ft tank, i had 3 more and thus had 5 in there while i kept the small tank as an isolation/ quarantine tank.

I later got a 6x2x2 ft tank and intend to house 3 pairs in there after i quarantine my 2 new ones.

Cheers

Ok, thanks

I think I might be a little addicted already, and I don't even have any yet :happy: haha

I think I'll set up my tank today(Minus the sand, I'll have to get that on monday) does their tank need the same amount of cycling as if it were for a fish?

Hi Emmma,

Have a read through these two articles.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/waterquality.shtml

Cheers

Great! Thanks for all the help :happy:

I'm sure there'll be plenty more questions to come! haha