Question: Axolotl for dummies please!

J

jacknbox75

New member
Joined
Aug 19, 2016
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Virginia
Country
United States
I decided to purchase an axolotl as a class pet. I know that my students will find a new appreciation for amphibians! I went to an exotic aquatics pet store and found out what I needed to start up a tank. I purchased a 10 gallon, due to the counter space in my classroom. Days before I picked out my little friend, I put fine sand at the bottom, filled up the tank with water, and put in the suggested amount of Quick Start.

I let the tank run for a few days to make sure everything was in working order. I picked up my axolotl and brought her back and let her acclimate. She is quite young I assume, she is only about 2 inches long. I tried to give her (could be a boy!) food about an hour later (pellets the store said they feed them) but she wouldn't eat. I figured maybe she is just getting used to the tank and isn't hungry.

The next day I tried to feed her again (I got one of those basters and tried to feed her.) She still wouldn't eat. So I went back to the pet store and got some blood worms. I tried to feed her again this time, dangling the worm in from of her face with my fingers and she still wouldn't eat. I tried a few times.

So should I worry! I'm thinking that maybe its a water issue. I really want her to thrive I'm nervous that I'm doing something wrong. I looked for signs of stress, her tail is not curled and I think her gills are okay too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I already love her so!
 
Check the temperature of your water, It should be below 70 degrees, anything above 75 is really dangerous! If you need help achieving this temperature, try cooling fans or have a look here: Caudata Culture Articles - Cooling

Next, buy an api freshwater master test kit (drops) if you haven't already bought it.
If you don't know the cycling process already take a look here: (probably the most important thing)
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html

Unfortunately, some of us buy axolotls without actually cycling through the tank first. Those "quick start" drops don't work and are only a temporary supplement. You will have to keep adding more drops to break down the ammonia (fish waste). It has also been rumored (not sure if confirmed 100%) that the beneficial bacteria in those things die if they are not in cycled water and therefore the drops are useless.

Once your tank is cycled it will way easier to maintain and your axolotl will be happy. If you choose to follow the fishless cycling method (Highly recommended, it's far less dangerous than cycling with your axolotl inside the tank because you are going to add a ton of ammonia) then go ahead and remove your axolotl into a dechlorinated bucket/plastic bin/temporary tank and do 100% dechlorinated water changes daily. The best time to change the water would be right after you feed him so the ammonia doesn't accumulate with him in there. Also unfortunately, cycling a tank can take a long time, up to a couple months, so you have to be patient.
I wish you the best of luck. :p
Also, welcome to the forum!

I would assume he is not eating because of the water quality/temp. but others on here might have some advice for you on that!
 
Thank you so much for your insight! Tank thermometer reads about 68 degrees so at least I got that right! How long can she safely stay in the bucket/ temporary tank?
 
Your axolotl can stay in the temporary container until the main tank is cycled. Just make sure that you do 100% daily water changes with dechlorinated water that has been acclimatised to the same temperature.

Welcome to the forum. I think it's great that you have chosen an axolotl as your class pet. They are adorably weird little fellas and your class will find it fascinating. :happy:
 
Thank you so much! I just hope it isn't too late for this little one!
 
They can be quite hardy little fellas, but they do require good water conditions.
As Ceasar said, API freashwater master test kit, cycle your main tank, keep your axolotl in a seperate container with daily dechlorinated water changes, and everything should be fine.
Keep feeding in the seperate container, ensuring that the water is kept clean after feeding, and the temperature is appropriate and doesn't fluctuate too much. As soon as he realises how yummy things like bloodworms are there will be no stopping him.
 
You guys are gems! Okay so bare with me. I'm going to go to school to pick her up and bring her back home while I cycle the tank at school. What should I buy along with API freshwater master kit to put into the tap water to rid it of chlorine and chloramine? I read somewhere that Deer Park Water is good, but the PH is around 6.8, is that okay?
 
I use Tetra Aqua Safe, but there are several dechlorinators/water conditioners that are suitable. Some contain aloe vera, which some axolotls (but not all) can be allergic to.
 
I hope she will finally eat something soon , 2 inches is very young maybe if the blood worms are alive ( not frozen) might give her some appetite . Sometime new environment can change their eating habit . I'm very interesting to see what your student would think of the new class pet though. :cool:
 
Thanks all! She is doing well so far! Eating little worms! Apparently my tap water is fine but I still treat it will drops.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
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!
    Back
    Top