Is it evil to find this fun?

axle · Jul 26, 2009

I have 2 axolotls in a decent sized tank and a few too many goldfish in a decent sized tank, i put 2 medium sized comets from the goldie tank in with my axies and am enjoying the predation thats ALMOST OCCURING.

is this mean what i am doing? its fun to watch. Im hoping the axies dont end up catching the goldies so the goldies can stay in there and eat up the bits of bloodworm, prawn and beef that the axies dont eat.

I put them in there to begin with because im trying to tackle a bad problem i have with smell. I think its from excess food or maybe not enough surface area for the axies.

I have an ok filter, the best i can have without water flow stress, and a good sized tank, but it still smells. I know they are healthy because of their behaviour, eating habits and the way their gills have doubled in size since i purchased them. which is a good sign right?

Anyone else have smelly problems? Do you think thisll just get worse if i leave the goldies in there? i know they produce alot of waste.

scrappa · Jul 26, 2009

Hi axle,

It would probably be best to find out what is causing your smell problems.

What do you feed your axolotls?

How much of what you feed them do they eat?

What are exact dimensions of the tank and how big are the axolotl and what filter do you have?

Where in your house do you keep your tank. Mabye the tank is not creating the smell?

_____________________

Drew. Miniziller is the best!

Azhael · Jul 26, 2009

You really should not keep goldfish of any kind with axolotls. VERY bad choice of mix.
The smell problem is most probably due to excess food or lack of an apropriate cleaning schedule. You should siphon out the food that the axies don´t eat because it will rot and cause amonia(the probable source of smell) to rise, which will affect your axolotl´s health and can even potentially kill them. You should also make 20% partial water changes weekly or daily if the tank is not cycled.

On another hand, their diet seems far from ideal. Prawns are salt water creatures, which makes them a completely unnatural source of food for fresh water amphibians. Beef is WAY too high in calories and should never be part of an staple diet. It´s ok as a treat (VERY sparangly) or an emergency food. It can cause several other problems aside from obesity.

Feed your axies with earthworms, they´ll love them, and they are an excellent food. The bloodworms are fine but never as an staple. You can also feed them blackworms, crickets, roaches, slugs, snails, pieces of fresh water fish(never abuse those)...

scrappa · Jul 26, 2009

WOW!

I read his post and didnt even see what he fed them!

I imagine the cause is excess food most likely the bloodworm raising the ammonia.

I agree with you azheal.

Kashka · Jul 27, 2009

Hi,

I strongly urge that you remove the fish from your tank. Aquarium fish will attack your axolotls, the gills being the first port of call as they are attracted to the feathers. I rescued a pathetic looking axolotl from a garden centre who had been previously housed with fish. The sight was horrific, if not distressing both for myself and the poor critter. She hardly had any gills and died as a consequence. I tried to nurse her to good health, but my efforts were in vain.

Look at food stuffs for the smell and filteration.

Good luck.

Kashka

Coastal Groovin · Jul 27, 2009

GOLDFISH are the filthy. They will cloud your water and send your water chemistry tumbling downward. Not to mention goldfish should NEVER be put in with Axies !!!!! They will sooner or later rip off their gills and kill them!!! Not to mention goldfish carry more desease than you can throw a stick at. I really don't understand why people still put goldfish in their axies tanks? Does anyone read anything that is posted on this site?

big a little a · Jul 27, 2009

Live bloodworms are described as being an excellent source of nutrition in the caudata culture section - so if you are feeding this, nutritionally, it's good, but cleaning-wise, is a massive pain in the proverbial - they get wedged everywhere and unless you are exceptionally vigilant with your cleaning, will foul the water.

Frozen bloodworms aren't so good for a staple diet.

Earthworms are definately your best bet when it comes to feeding - super-nutritious, easily available and simple to feed and clean up after.

Zoe x

Coastal Groovin · Jul 27, 2009

The smell is from the goldfish fouling the water. And the ammonia will be from the goldfish also.
I have kept goldfish and that is what they do. LOOK NO FARTHER its the goldfish!!!! People who keep goldfish also add salt to the water to keep desease at bay. Something you would never add to Axie water.

sharelkaye · Jul 30, 2009

If you had a smelly problem before the goldfish, they will just make it worse. Even though they do eat leftovers, they will just make more waste and goldfish are very messy fish. Watch what your axies eat, and just take out what they don't eat. I would do a 25%-50% water change to clean up the water and help with the smell. Also check your filter to make sure that it doesn't need cleaning. I would also use a gravel vac. to clean your substrate without stirring it around too much. Hope this helps.

Bogy · Jul 31, 2009

Too infrequent water changes and over feeding can often cause a bad smell. I agree with almost everything posted before me (and the rest I don't know enough to comment on). Especially the parts about the goldfish. They're a dirty fish, and if nothing else, will further degrade the quality of the water.

I have one thing to add, though. You might want to pick up a water test kit and see what's in your water. Monitor your water quality through a few water changes, and it'll help you get a feel for how often you need to clean your tank.

Greg31 · Jul 31, 2009

I think you shouldnt keep pets if you dont know how to take care of them correctly. What you are doing is no different then what Michael Vick did.

ezmynd · Jul 31, 2009

This is off topic from the smell issue but could be another problem. Maybe? I thought I read somewhere that if their gills grow larger and more feathery it is a sign that there is not enough oxygen in the water. I could be wrong tho, just thought I seen it somewhere.

potogold71 · Aug 1, 2009

I think some of you may have been a little hard on a noob asking for help! Im not so sure I would be back if it was me.

tuxar linuxarmy · Aug 14, 2009

axies with many gold fish bad idea.
goldfish nibble the gills of axies and goldfish lack some vitamin that can cause lack of nutrition.
and that the water smell is an Anaerobic event mean that there is an lack of oxygen in the water
and high level of rotting material that smells the smell is swamp gasses

CutieUlysses · Aug 14, 2009

The smell is from the waste left behind from the bloodworm and other foods.
Don't go buying a tank vaccum, use a turkey baster and clear up the waste!
Easy efficient and very cheap

flan123 · Aug 14, 2009

I dont think that people have been harsh, so to speak. The members on this forum are very experienced and speak first hand about the care of axolotl. They know well that Goldfish are not suitable tank mates as:

They will attack the delicate oxygen-gathering gills
They can also attack other parts of the Axie's body, resulting in wounds leading furthermore to bacterial issues
They produce a high amount of ammonia, which itself is damaging to the environment required by an Axolotl

When I first got an axie, he was in a tank with one goldfish. The fish absolutely tortured my poor fella and was removed instantly. He now lives in a 3ft tank alone, and my fish has two new tank mates who all get along nicely!

Good luck with it, let us know how you get on!:happy:

ianclick · Aug 14, 2009

Hi axle, If you havent already have a look at this Species Mixing Disasters http://www.axolotl.org/

axygirl20 · Sep 1, 2009

To be fair yes .... it is cruel that you find fish predating on axies funny! The fish will eventually catch up to your axie and find its gills and its tail to much to turn down. In the end the fish will nip at them and cause damage and stress to the axie.

flan123 · Sep 1, 2009

It's animal cruelty. Neglegence.

lilnursey84 · Sep 2, 2009

I try not to throw stones because i am a new axie owner and have made mistakes (bought wiggler worms that i shouldnt have and bought two snails to help with the tank but its now turning into a snail factory, the babies have been removed but sheesh!). But from the bottom of my heart, please take out the goldfish, live and learn.

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