Getting a 2nd axi?

angie · Jun 24, 2010

Simon is 5 months old now and we are considering getting another axi to keep him/her company I have read that they can be canibalistic when young
Is he still too young?

We have become quite attached to him and would not want to do anything that would harm him
any advice would be helpful

Shizeric · Jun 24, 2010

They are more likely to attack each other when young, yes, and they are still juveniles, but you can take steps to prevent this behavior.

How large is the tank, and do you have lots of hides/barriers in the tank?

callina · Jun 25, 2010

axies aren´t really canibalistic, but as long as one fits in the mouth of the other, it can be eaten. So you have to pay attention, that all axies in the tank are at the same size. If your tank is big enough and there are many hiding places in, it wouldn´t be a problem.

daniellog · Jun 25, 2010

I have three young ones in my tank and they all get along fine. I think if you give them enough hides and feed them well then it they should be ok.

angie · Jun 25, 2010

My tank is 24 inches by 12 inches with sand on the bottom
I have plenty plants but only 1 hide
He is fed twice a day with defrosted frozen blood worm (not sure if this is too much but he always eats it all)

Shizeric · Jun 25, 2010

That tank is a 10 gallon tank, and the absolute minimum size for 1 Axolotl, so a 2nd Axolotl would not be appropriate. If you do plan to get a 2nd Axolotl, look for at least a 20 gallon long.

tomkeogh · Jun 25, 2010

Axolotl are really greedy! when you look down at him his head and body should be same width if his body is larger you might want to cut back.

I had two juveniles in a tank of the same dimensions, although there were no injuries they nipped quiet a bit and messed the tank so quickly.

As Eric said a 3 foot long tank would give them plenty of space each.

angie · Jun 25, 2010

thanks everyone
looks like i'm getting a bigger tank
never thought i would take to this axolotl rearing when my daughter got an egg from her teacher at school kept it in a margerine tub for a while never thought it would survive as most of the others given away didn't
I got a lot of help from this forum just by reding other peoples posts
thanks again
Am I crazy or do they know when you walk into a room as he always comes to the front of the tank and swims up and down
I tell my daughter he waving at me lol

esoteric · Jun 25, 2010

Shizeric said:
That tank is a 10 gallon tank, and the absolute minimum size for 1 Axolotl, so a 2nd Axolotl would not be appropriate. If you do plan to get a 2nd Axolotl, look for at least a 20 gallon long.

I'm still confused. If this is true, then surely the statement below, from our leader, needs removing from the caudata.org articles:

"A 60 x 30 x 37 cm (24 x 12 x 15 inches) aquarium is adequate for two adults." John Clare. January 2001

I've heard 10 gallon per axolotl (but never sure if that's imperial or US gallons)
I've heard 1 square foot of floor space per axolotl.

I really don't think space is such an issue in a 2ft tank and I think with vigilant monitoring of water quality and with a strict cleaning regimen, 2 adult axolotls can happily co-exist in one...

I'd love a definitive answer on this one.

Bellabelloo · Jun 25, 2010

I have three in a 3ft / 18''/ 18'' tank. There are a lot of floating plants , mainly because they chaps love to remodel their tank and uprooted the carefully planted/placed plants

. They have three places to hide , but two insist on squeezing into one . I monitor the water weekly , and feed every three days. The axolotl measure 31cm, 28cm and 22 cm.
The last time an injury occurred was because I was in a rush and chucked a pile of worms in .
I personally think if you keep a close eye on their living conditions you will be fine. However bigger is better .

esoteric · Jun 25, 2010

bellabelloo said:
I have three in a 3ft / 18''/ 18'' tank. There are a lot of floating plants , mainly because they chaps love to remodel their tank and uprooted the carefully planted/placed plants. They have three places to hide , but two insist on squeezing into one . I monitor the water weekly , and feed every three days. The axolotl measure 31cm, 28cm and 22 cm.
The last time an injury occurred was because I was in a rush and chucked a pile of worms in .
I personally think if you keep a close eye on their living conditions you will be fine. However bigger is better .

I agree with this.

kimko86 · Jun 25, 2010

Actually if your tank is 24" by 12", it's at least a 15 gallon tank, and depending on how tall it is it might even be a 20 gallon tank.
That's according to this site, no way I would have known that off the top of my head, lol.

Kim

Shizeric · Jun 25, 2010

esoteric said:
I'm still confused. If this is true, then surely the statement below, from our leader, needs removing from the caudata.org articles:

I've heard 10 gallon per axolotl (but never sure if that's imperial or US gallons)
I've heard 1 square foot of floor space per axolotl.

I really don't think space is such an issue in a 2ft tank and I think with vigilant monitoring of water quality and with a strict cleaning regimen, 2 adult axolotls can happily co-exist in one...

I'd love a definitive answer on this one.

I have actually talked to John about this statement and he acknowledges that changes on that particular part need to be changed.

esoteric · Jun 26, 2010

Thanks Eric, the clarification is much appreciated.

esoteric · Jun 26, 2010

angie said:
thanks everyone
looks like i'm getting a bigger tank
never thought i would take to this axolotl rearing when my daughter got an egg from her teacher at school kept it in a margerine tub for a while never thought it would survive as most of the others given away didn't
I got a lot of help from this forum just by reding other peoples posts
thanks again
Am I crazy or do they know when you walk into a room as he always comes to the front of the tank and swims up and down
I tell my daughter he waving at me lol

Most people here fall somewhere along the crazy spectrum. I have a whole room that can only be described as "The Axie Room" whenever anyone goes in there, the axies are up on their back leggs, begging for worms...especially my 2 chunky yorkshire lasses ... Does anyone else here apologise for disappointing their begging axies?

jclee · Jun 26, 2010

All the time. I can't even walk into the room without actually saying "Hey, Artie. Hi Max," as though they could hear and understand.

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