New Axolotl Owner... very confused :(

Hi Everyone,

I just got my tank set up on thursday and am waiting for the water to cycle and getting an axolotl on friday!

I was wondering if i'm doing everything right so far and if you can answer a few questions?

I have a 10 gallon tank set up to keep one axolotl. I put larger gravel pieces in. The water temp is at 19 degrees Celsius. I put in chemicals called bio clean and bio support as well as the water treatment.

The tank came with a fluorescent light but i plan to keep it off because i have read he has no eyelids. (he gets indirect sunlight in my room)


The person I was talking to at the aquarium pet store said you can put minows in the tank for them to eat as feeder fish. I was wondering what age I can do this? I dont want the minows picking on my axolotl. Also, the person said i can feed them freeze dried bloodworms. How often and how much do i feed my fellow this? and also am i able to just buy earthworms from the aquarium pet store and hand feed him that? (i still prefer the freeze dried blood worms)

Sorry for the long post! and thank you!

Right id steer clear of gravel of any size and get sand purely because even if the gravel is too large to be eaten bits of food and **** get stuck inbetween the rocks and cause water issues, sand is the safest option you just cant go wrong with it! (your gravel must be at least 2in diameter or larger as you wouldnt belive what these guys can fit in thier mouths!)

Regarding freeze dried foods id steer clear as theres very little nutritional value or smell or taste some axies just wont eat it, go for frozen bloodworm or fresh foods!

Minnows as youve probably read are ideal for axie tank mates/food but they need to be kept in groups of 6 or more (to stop them getting stressed) as they are schooling fish and I fear a 10gal may be abit small for an axie and a schoal of fish (coz of the small volume of water and the amount of waste from axie and fish) guppies do better in a smaller group of 2 or 3 fish (they dont like to be alone tho!) also try shrimp they dont need space like minnows do!

At some time in the future as your axie grows you will inevitably get a larger tank anyway so fish stocking wont be an issue!

Re: Lighting, most aquariums come with a tropical sunlight type tube which is unsuitable for axies but there are a few out there that are okay (moonlight tubes seem to be a good option as it isnt bright enough to cause any stress but plenty light enough to see everything in the tank) but there are other options l.e.d lighting is also a popular choice!

I wouldnt reccommend using any chemicals (except dechlorinator) once your axie is in there as axies are very sensitive to chemicals in the water and they may do more harm than good!

Meenug,

The only thing that I would add to Ed's post is that axies love to eat earthworms. This is a good option if you have a yard that you can dig some up. Just try putting the hose out for about ten minutes and the water will cause the worms to crawl up to the top.
Good luck.

Thank you both!