Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

Newbie Setup

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hello All,

I'm new here, and we added an Axolotl to our managerie about 6 months ago. Pictures attached for your enjoyment. Earlier this week, we decided to liberate Xavier (the axie's name) from our teenagers bedroom. He is at that age where no light enters his room, he doesn't turn on the tank light, and had decided his social life was more important.. Xavier now sits behind me in my office (I work from home) and appears much happier now.

After doing some reading here today, I know the tank setup is very lacking, and am heading out tonight to buy a few bits and pieces to keep Xavier happier.

The small gravel in this tank, has never seemed to worry him (her/it?) at all, but I will eventually change it to something more Axi friendly, as well as adding some plants and some play space as well.

I'll try and drop in here on a regular basis though, it's such a wonderful resource.

Cheers

Moxy
 

Attachments

  • CIMG1482.jpg
    CIMG1482.jpg
    52.9 KB · Views: 311
  • CIMG1487.jpg
    CIMG1487.jpg
    40.4 KB · Views: 285
Last edited by a moderator:

Vidofner

New member
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
59
Reaction score
1
He (Looks more like a she though) is very pretty but he has pretty small gills. Usually that's due to much oxygen in the water. Im a newbie myself so i have no idea if that's a bad thing or not. But his gills are about the size of my female's gills two weeks after a fish ate them and she started to heal them back.
 

b00f

New member
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
269
Reaction score
14
Location
Australia
Haha, like any teenager...

I would swap that gravel out for some play sand (Toy r Us has it, as does Bunnings)
Nice pics, good luck

Aaron
 

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Do you have any more pictures of your axolotl and tank?

I will take some more photos tomorrow or on the weekend, and upload them for you..

Tthanks to all for your input thus far, I am sure I will have plenty of questions.

Cheers

moxy
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
My tank is an Exo-Tera, 45*45*45 (cm) with the foam/faux rock backgdrop. I also have apiece of granite (I think) near the filter area, that is elevated, and he/she (how can i tell ?) will often go for a wander and explore there.

He/She is quite active throughout the day though, which is quite surprising to me, as he/she used to be quite docile in the dark.

The filter is a cascading style, and has a carbon and a cloth/foam 2 stage process..

is this an appropriate style, as it is what was suggested by the local pet warehouse (don't attack me for the decision, never again, I will go to specialists).. I live in the sydney Hills district, so any suggestions for local specialists would also be good.

Thanks again.

moxy
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Jacquie

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 31, 2008
Messages
1,849
Reaction score
48
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Moxy,

My tank is an Exo-Tera, 45*45*45 (cm) with the foam/faux rock backgdrop. I also have apiece of granite (i think) near the filter area, that is elevated, and he/she (how can i tell ?) will often go for a wander and explore there.

Those tank dimensions are 'okay' for one axolotl. Axolotls can grow to any size from 7 to 14 inchs in length, so you may need to consider buying a larger tank for the axie as he or she grows larger. Axolotl's are adults from 18 months of age.

He/She is quite active throughout the day though, which is quite surprising to me, as he/she used to be quite docile in the dark.

Axolotls are lazy. An axolotl will spend a majority of its day sitting down the bottom of the tank, doing as little as possible. If the axolotl is constantly swimming during the day, this is usually an indication of stress.

Could you advise on your water parameters for Ammonia (most important), Nitrite (important), Nitrate (handy to know), pH (very handy to know) and water temperature (very important)?

The filter is a cascading style, and has a carbon and a cloth/foam 2 stage process..

The activity during the day may be due to water movement stress. Axolotls prefer still water, water currents will stress them.

Cascading filters are very good filters. To break the current, you just need to place some obstructions (rocks, plants, tank ornaments) under the waterfall, so the water flow does not disturb the axolotl.

is this an appropriate style, as it is what was suggested by the local pet warehouse (don't attack me for the decision, never again, i will go to specialists).. I live in the sydney Hills district, so any suggestions for local specialists would also be good.

We would never attack you. Petstores unfortunately are notorious for giving bad advice on the care of axolotls.

As Aaron (aka b00f) has suggested, I would get rid of that gravel immediately. Gravel smaller than two centimeters in diameter is a danger to axolotls, as it will be swallowed, and this can cause health complications such as impaction (blockage of the gut) which can be fatal to the axolotl.

The easiest substrate to keep clean (axies are complete slobs) is a bare bottom tank. If you prefer the 'natural look' then sand is the next best thing.

Axolotls are nocturnal, and do not care for light. Axolotls do not have eyelids, therefore they cannot shut out the light if it is bothering them. Being in the open constantly, and in light, which he or she cannot escape from will stress the axolotl. Providing some hides for the axolotl will help alleviate this.

If you need help sexing your axolotl, we can help with this. We just need a photo or two of the region which is behind the rear legs and at the base of the tail.
 

Tappers

New member
Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Messages
158
Reaction score
16
Location
Worcestershire
Not wishing to state the obvious but as the tank is an exoterra, it's only waterproof to a depth of about 4"/10cm. In effect it's a 45 x 45 x 10 cm set up. The good news is that your filtration is very thorough for this small volume but you might find that having a standard fish tank and greater water volume makes things easier ie. less axolotl per gallon.

Either way, it's great that you've improved it's quality of life :cool:
 

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
OK.. here are a few more photos of the setup, and of Xavier.

I have added a "broken jug" for him/her to hide in, as well as a few small (plastic) plants for him/her to hind behind.

I have also moved the rock under the waterfall stream as much as possible to try and keep the water as still as possible, but more work to be done here, and I will remove the substrate over the weekend if possible.

Any advice welcome..

Thanks.

Moxy
 

Attachments

  • CIMG1488.jpg
    CIMG1488.jpg
    110.1 KB · Views: 285
  • CIMG1497.jpg
    CIMG1497.jpg
    75.8 KB · Views: 265
  • CIMG1501.jpg
    CIMG1501.jpg
    114.3 KB · Views: 250
  • CIMG1502.jpg
    CIMG1502.jpg
    100.4 KB · Views: 246
  • CIMG1503.jpg
    CIMG1503.jpg
    97 KB · Views: 260
Last edited by a moderator:

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Thanks All,

I have moved the piece of rock under the waterfall, as it started to desintegrate, turns out it's apiece of shaol, so the running water was causing it to flake off, not good.. so have put the broken urn under it, and this appears to have stabilised the water surface movement as well, and he's not moving around so much as he was, which I hope means he is a little happier now..

Water is at 18c, which should be just fine for him right?

Thanks again all.

Moxy
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Sooooo you going to change the gravel to sanddd or barebottom? *wink* That would be a smartie movee :)

Bare-Bottom, over the weekend, however I am acquiring "my" pet (not my son's Axolotl) tomorrow, a Blue Tongue Lizard (or shingleback) at the WildExpo in Castle Hill (I have been building his habitat, and acquired my licence over a year ago now) and have been waiting for this event.. so much of my attention this weekend will be on the Bluey (sorry Xavier).. although their habitats are both in my office, and I work from home, so i can easily do the gravel removal on Monday if saturday and sunday run away..

Busy weekend ahead..

Cheers All.

moxy
 

callina

New member
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
622
Reaction score
32
Location
Oldenburg (North Sea)
Hi Moxy,

I have a little question: Which material is the "broken jug" - is it plastic?:confused:

If it´s non-plastic, you should observe that there are no sharp-edged cracks on which your axie could harm himself. You should round them up with a rasp.

Greetz, Tina
 

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hi Moxy,

I have a little question: Which material is the "broken jug" - is it plastic?:confused:

If it´s non-plastic, you should observe that there are no sharp-edged cracks on which your axie could harm himself. You should round them up with a rasp.

Greetz, Tina

Yes, the Jug is Plastic, with no sharp edges, I made sure of that when I purchased..

Cheers

Moxy
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I have removed all of the pebbles, a few stubborn stragglers of course, but will have them out soon enough. Xavier appears to be much more placid/docile now, no more darting around the tank like he was last week..

Many thanks to all who helped/commented, and I will post some more photos once the tank is free of the last remaining pebble bits..

Moxy
 
Last edited by a moderator:

2os4sds

New member
Joined
Mar 24, 2009
Messages
72
Reaction score
1
Very nice tank and Axolotl.Looking forward to the photos.:happy:
 

Moxy

New member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
OK.. so I have been a bit slack in taking photos, but work has been all consuming for the past week and a bit..

Attached you can see Xavier sitting on his/her turtle dock, under water of course. There are a few remaining pebbles, that I am slowly catching, but mostly gone, and other muck around the tank.

Trying to find a Turkey Baster in Sydney for the past 2 weeks, to no avail, I have looked at supermarkets, cookware stores, and even the chemist.

It's driving me crazy, and I am heading up to Tokyo for 10 days for work, with the wife and kids attending to the Axie, I just hope my last ditch effort this afternoon to find said turkey baster is successful.

Since removing the rocks, and keeping his water still, he appears to be much happier, less skitish, and even swims up to the glass once in a while to check out the world outside.

Cheers

Moxy..
 

Attachments

  • CIMG1656.jpg
    CIMG1656.jpg
    38.5 KB · Views: 211
Last edited by a moderator:

b00f

New member
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
269
Reaction score
14
Location
Australia
Nice work.
He looks alot happier.

I got a baster from a kitchen ware place, was like $5,

I did find one at a place, but it was all fancy and really, not that great, for almost $20.


(I can't remember the name of the place, but I suggest going down to your local Shopping center, place like "howards storage world" or something similar should be able to help).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Top