First time owner - neglected axolotls

Seph

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TL;DR at the bottom, since I'm likely to say a lot of stuff.

Firstly: Thanks for welcome me to the forum! :)

Prelude:
So, through a series of events (including jokes about throwing them away), I ended up adopting 2 axolotls from a work colleague (and apparently they belonged to their ex, which i found out later, so I think they've probably been a bit neglected for a while longer). I didn't know they'd be in a rough condition, but I did my research and picked them up last weekend.

Things that have happened:
  • I had to do a nearly 100% water change, because their water turned to solid brown the moment it was disturbed.
  • I've removed 99.9% of the gravel substrate (but still scraping the last few out) because gravel is bad and it was literally filled with their poo.
  • I took out the rubbish tropical fish heater that had a minimum temperature of 21C (and was usually keeping it higher)
  • The bigger axolotl had a floaty butt for about 36 hours. And for a brief terrifying moment, I found her floating on the surface, wedged between the tank and the filter. Added some pots and moved the tank furniture around so she could wedge herself at the bottom of the tank. I was preparing to fridge her this morning before she passed a big poo sometime last night and stopped floating!
  • I've managed to balance out their Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate levels, so they were all nearly 0 this morning, so that all seems to be cycling again.
  • Added a plant pot and a rock to deflect the filter stream and spread the flow (and add a hiding place)
  • Their tails seem to have uncurled from their stress position
  • Generally panicked over their wellbeing for an entire week
  • I love their stupid faces

Arrival day pics:


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday:



Questions:
1) I've been told they're 3 years old, but they're only 5.5 inches and 4 inches long. Isn't that a bit short for their age? Is this likely to be because of the poor environment they were in? Are they likely to grow any further at this point? (They seem to be of sexual maturity, indicated by their pale fingertips?)

2) Kind of related to above; they're in a ~2 foot long tank (which I'm happy to replace) - would more room encourage them to grow? Will they be fine in that tank if they stay the size they are?

3) Anything else seemingly wrong with them to anyone's experienced eye? Given their previous environment, I've been worried about fungus or illness, but can't spot anything wrong? (was worried about all the lumps and bumps on the big one, but those are apparently normal? :) )

TL;DR
First time owner
Adopted two axolotls
Realised they'd been neglected
Conditions now much improved
Are they small for their age? (5.5'' & 4'', 3 years old)
Anything seem wrong with them?
 
Last edited:
You seem to be doing well at the moment, You should probably up the food intake though. If they are only 5 inches long and 3 years old, they are either the dwarf version of the axolotl or seriously underfed.
 
Seems like you're doing a good job so far! Best food for them is live Earth Worms. Mine were eating whole worms by 5.5 inches. You can get them at your local pet store. The night crawlers are much better for them than any frozen foods or pellets. Mine get fed every 2 or 3 days. Yours seem on the skinny side right now so maybe offer them food every day until they bulk up a bit. You want their tummies the same width as their heads. If they aren't hungry they won't eat so don't worry about over feeding. Keep them in a 20 gallon long tank if you can. 40 gallon breeders are the best in my opinion. NO WATER HEATERS! Lotls like their water between 60-70. Depending on their moods. Mine do very well between 65-70. No problems at all! They like their water COLD! I have mine near an AC vent which keeps them between the 65-70 degrees F. If you do decide to add substrate back into their tank make sure the rocks are larger than their heads so they can't swallow the rocks or go with a fine sand (That's what I have!) 5.5 inches is small for 4 year axolotls unless they are just bred from smaller ones? Mine are about a year old and are 7-8 inches long. Toothless is a little shorter than Stormfly but my breeder said he was from a different set of axies so he's a bit younger than his tank mate. Good luck with your new aquatic friends! You'll love them!
 
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