Ashley6102
New member
Hi! My name is Ashley, and I am very excited about the possibility of getting my own axolotl. I absolutely adore the little beasties, and have ever since I saw one for the first time in a museum. However I do not want to jump into such an endeavor uninformed. I would never intentionally harm any animal, and I really want to do my part in being a responsible pet owner.
I have done as much research as I can think to do about the following topics. Please correct me if you take issue with any of the points listed below, or if you know anything I missed!
Please also note that this is my first post on this forum. I'm not sure if this post really belongs someplace else... Oh well.
Where do I keep an axolotl?
Tank should be between 10 and 20 gallons per axie
Sand or bare glass is fine
No gravel (they eat anything and everything)
Be careful of plants
NO TANKMATES
Besides other axies
Below 75 degrees fahrenheit
My space is 70 degrees year round, also fahrenheit. Is this too hot?
The less light the better
My space is pretty dark. There is a window nearby, but it is always shuttered.
Does turning on lights suddenly bother them? (just thinking out loud)
Keep a lid on it!
Filter should not disturb the water too much…
...Axies get stressed easily.
Hidey holes are a must
Water should be treated-- tap water is fine if treated properly
Tank should be cycled by 20 percent a week.
How do I make sure my axie is happy and healthy?
Observe poops.
Clean poops with turkey baster! They’re pretty cheap where I live, so it’s not a problem.
Axies poop every 2-4 days if they’re healthy-- may vary some
Green poops are bad
Some poops may disintegrate
Totally normal
Feeding:
Once a day (?)
Use food about the same size as their head
Earthworms, bloodworms, blackworms, salamander food pellets all okay
Squishy pellets work better (?)
How much do I feed them?
Behavior:
Varies with temperament, but…
Older axies move less
Babies move lots
Sick axies may not follow typical behavioral patterns
Avoid light and stick close to hidey holes
Stressed axies will develop curved tails and pale in color. They may also stop eating.
Please tell me more about stressing axolotls!
Axies live to be about 10 years old (8-12 is typical)
I probably missed something, but these are the basics of what I’ve learned. I would also like to know if hamster/gerbil accessories are okay in axolotl tanks-- and if only some are, how to tell the difference. I really want to have pink sand with a little strawberry shaped hide alongside some pink plastic plants. However, I do not want to do this if it will in any way endanger my little buddy. His or her wellbeing comes FIRST.
I will also be handling non-toxic acrylic and tempera paints nearby. Will my little baby be okay with this? I don’t paint often but my hope is that once I get the space cleaned where he or she will go I can start again. I can’t think of a better muse, after all. Wouldn’t cute chibi-style axolotls on the walls really make the space?
I really don’t know much about testing for water quality. I know that ammonia = bad and that I need to change the water by 20% weekly, and of course, that poop needs to be picked up. Are there any testing strips available in USA that anyone recommends? What should I look for with these strips? How often do I test the water?
Lastly, but certainly most important, are axolotls legal in Oregon? A year or two back I saw some in a pet store, but laws change over time. I have checked the local Wildlife Services website and I have not found anything regarding the matter.
Thank you all for your patience, time and support. This is very important to me, and I cannot express my gratitude enough.
I have done as much research as I can think to do about the following topics. Please correct me if you take issue with any of the points listed below, or if you know anything I missed!
Please also note that this is my first post on this forum. I'm not sure if this post really belongs someplace else... Oh well.
Where do I keep an axolotl?
Tank should be between 10 and 20 gallons per axie
Sand or bare glass is fine
No gravel (they eat anything and everything)
Be careful of plants
NO TANKMATES
Besides other axies
Below 75 degrees fahrenheit
My space is 70 degrees year round, also fahrenheit. Is this too hot?
The less light the better
My space is pretty dark. There is a window nearby, but it is always shuttered.
Does turning on lights suddenly bother them? (just thinking out loud)
Keep a lid on it!
Filter should not disturb the water too much…
...Axies get stressed easily.
Hidey holes are a must
Water should be treated-- tap water is fine if treated properly
Tank should be cycled by 20 percent a week.
How do I make sure my axie is happy and healthy?
Observe poops.
Clean poops with turkey baster! They’re pretty cheap where I live, so it’s not a problem.
Axies poop every 2-4 days if they’re healthy-- may vary some
Green poops are bad
Some poops may disintegrate
Totally normal
Feeding:
Once a day (?)
Use food about the same size as their head
Earthworms, bloodworms, blackworms, salamander food pellets all okay
Squishy pellets work better (?)
How much do I feed them?
Behavior:
Varies with temperament, but…
Older axies move less
Babies move lots
Sick axies may not follow typical behavioral patterns
Avoid light and stick close to hidey holes
Stressed axies will develop curved tails and pale in color. They may also stop eating.
Please tell me more about stressing axolotls!
Axies live to be about 10 years old (8-12 is typical)
I probably missed something, but these are the basics of what I’ve learned. I would also like to know if hamster/gerbil accessories are okay in axolotl tanks-- and if only some are, how to tell the difference. I really want to have pink sand with a little strawberry shaped hide alongside some pink plastic plants. However, I do not want to do this if it will in any way endanger my little buddy. His or her wellbeing comes FIRST.
I will also be handling non-toxic acrylic and tempera paints nearby. Will my little baby be okay with this? I don’t paint often but my hope is that once I get the space cleaned where he or she will go I can start again. I can’t think of a better muse, after all. Wouldn’t cute chibi-style axolotls on the walls really make the space?
I really don’t know much about testing for water quality. I know that ammonia = bad and that I need to change the water by 20% weekly, and of course, that poop needs to be picked up. Are there any testing strips available in USA that anyone recommends? What should I look for with these strips? How often do I test the water?
Lastly, but certainly most important, are axolotls legal in Oregon? A year or two back I saw some in a pet store, but laws change over time. I have checked the local Wildlife Services website and I have not found anything regarding the matter.
Thank you all for your patience, time and support. This is very important to me, and I cannot express my gratitude enough.