Axolotls with play sand or with rocks as bottom of tank

[firebellynewt84]

Hello, so recently a few months ago I got an Axolotl. Since then, he's grown HUGE! We're currently moving him into a bigger tank. But, my neighbor who has a lot of lizards went to an Axolotl breeder and they told him that rocks were better than play sand cause if one eats a rock it would realize it and spit it out rather than play sand. I've insisted that we keep the sand cause of the stories I've heard online, but what is really better. Rocks or Play sand? I want to do what's best for my axolotl. Thanks!

 

[Otterwoman]

Do not get rocks. Do a search on axolotls and rocks on this site and you will read many accounts of how bad and dangerous they are.

 

[Eternie]

Never NEVER ever put rocks in an Axolotls aquarium. They WONT spit it out. They will end up swallowing it because their mouth acts as a vacuum essentially. It WILL kill them because they cannot pass rocks if they swallow, and if they do it is a very hard and stressful time for the Axolotl. Stick with the play sand or aquarium sand, they can pass it, and they will spit it out, mine spits it out when he realizes he got a mouthful of sand and not bloodworm. So PLEASE for the sake of your little Lotl, please don't put gravel in your tank.