snuffaluffagus
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- Mar 13, 2009
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Hi, I'm Jennifer. I'm 25, from Melbourne and ever since I can remember I've been facinated by axolotls. (THey are the only newts/salamanders etc I've ever seen outside the zoo; I read here that axies are the only species Australians are allowed to keep).
Even though I've always loved them we hadnt bought any. (I wasnt allowed to).
But recently a large fish tank and cabinet came into my possession and I knew that it would be perfect for an axie or two.
I did alot of reading on website like this and visited the local pet store every day chatting to the workers to learn all I could about the little critters before I brought them home.
Now that they're here - there is so much more to find out!
I bought two - one black (Flotsam) and one spotted olive (Jetsam). I had originally wanted a golden albino but now wouldnt be parted with Flotsam.
We set the tank up with large river pebbles, lots of fake plants, a 'half pipe' type log and a hollow log. The first week was very stressful!
The first day Jetsam spent the entire day in a 'cave' i'd placed in the tank - he didnt budge - I eventually had to shake him out of it because I was terrified he was stuck inside.
The second day - Flotsam's rear end started to float. Which after a bit of googling - I'd decided must be lack of oxygen in the water - they were making regular trips to the surface. So off to the pet store again to buy a bubble wall - which does look rather pretty. No floating behinds so far!
On the third day Flotsam swam from one end of the tank to the other, up and down the sides over and over again. After some more googling and a frantic call to the pet store, I covered the tank with a blanket - Apparently axolotls get stressed!
And dont get me started! Feeding! My axies wont go for a bloodworm block on a squewer - they swim away! Luckily they are both happily eating pellets. *shakes head* Which I have to drop in the correct spot in the water so It will sink right in front of their noses or they both leave it. Who knew axies didnt forage??? Nobody told me.
Anyway- we bought them a few small feeder fish (Neons were recommended because the cold water should shock them into swimming slower for the axies to catch). Well it's been about three weeks and theyre still alive! (Well some of them are - we've misplaced four. So we have our fingers crossed that our axolotls have consumed them.
We've got a bit of trouble with whitish water - im told that a bacteria bloom is common with a newly set up tank. (I thought that being a second hand tank it wouldnt need to be cycled as long - silly me!)
But the axies came home on the 18th of March and I think theyre settling in OK. Theyre both eating well (sometimes 10 pellets a day... is that enough/too much?) Everyone in the family wants to feed them!
We've got the tank set up in the kitchen and its almost hypnotic to be eating your dinner and being able to stare at the tank and its inhabitants.
Anyway - Without further ado - here are Flotsam (Under Log) and Jetsam (In Log)
J.
Even though I've always loved them we hadnt bought any. (I wasnt allowed to).
But recently a large fish tank and cabinet came into my possession and I knew that it would be perfect for an axie or two.
I did alot of reading on website like this and visited the local pet store every day chatting to the workers to learn all I could about the little critters before I brought them home.
Now that they're here - there is so much more to find out!
I bought two - one black (Flotsam) and one spotted olive (Jetsam). I had originally wanted a golden albino but now wouldnt be parted with Flotsam.
We set the tank up with large river pebbles, lots of fake plants, a 'half pipe' type log and a hollow log. The first week was very stressful!
The first day Jetsam spent the entire day in a 'cave' i'd placed in the tank - he didnt budge - I eventually had to shake him out of it because I was terrified he was stuck inside.
The second day - Flotsam's rear end started to float. Which after a bit of googling - I'd decided must be lack of oxygen in the water - they were making regular trips to the surface. So off to the pet store again to buy a bubble wall - which does look rather pretty. No floating behinds so far!
On the third day Flotsam swam from one end of the tank to the other, up and down the sides over and over again. After some more googling and a frantic call to the pet store, I covered the tank with a blanket - Apparently axolotls get stressed!
And dont get me started! Feeding! My axies wont go for a bloodworm block on a squewer - they swim away! Luckily they are both happily eating pellets. *shakes head* Which I have to drop in the correct spot in the water so It will sink right in front of their noses or they both leave it. Who knew axies didnt forage??? Nobody told me.
Anyway- we bought them a few small feeder fish (Neons were recommended because the cold water should shock them into swimming slower for the axies to catch). Well it's been about three weeks and theyre still alive! (Well some of them are - we've misplaced four. So we have our fingers crossed that our axolotls have consumed them.
We've got a bit of trouble with whitish water - im told that a bacteria bloom is common with a newly set up tank. (I thought that being a second hand tank it wouldnt need to be cycled as long - silly me!)
But the axies came home on the 18th of March and I think theyre settling in OK. Theyre both eating well (sometimes 10 pellets a day... is that enough/too much?) Everyone in the family wants to feed them!
We've got the tank set up in the kitchen and its almost hypnotic to be eating your dinner and being able to stare at the tank and its inhabitants.
Anyway - Without further ado - here are Flotsam (Under Log) and Jetsam (In Log)
J.