Newbie

[Aussiemum]

Hi,
Im new to caring for Axolotls and new to this forum.
I have many questions id like to ask.
I guess like any new pet the more questions you ask the easier it becomes caring for ure pet.
I have a few other exotic pets in my home and have joined the forums for them all, and looking after them has been made easier by the help of others opinions,comments and advise.So thats why i am here.
Joining the forum for my Bearded dragon helped me set up there enclosure properly,the forum for my hermit crabs helped me get the humidity n temp right in there tat.

So now i have a million questions to ask about my new found pet.

Here goes......

I am aware that i need a bigger tank for him, i brought one the same size the petshop had him in and now when i read the info, it explains that they need it alot bigger? as in longer? it would be about 50 cm in length?

Do i have the water full to the top? at the present moment i have it 3/4 full?
I have a piece of drift wood in there for him to hide under and i have made it so if he stands on it he can reach out of the water?

Do they need to be out of water at any time?

How do u all clean the poop out of the water? Do u need to remove it or should the filter do that?

Is the water in the tank suppose to be crystal clear? Mine is a little mirky, im not sure if thats because i need a stronger filter or if i need to clean the poop out more than once a day?

I have a large piece of drift wood for him to hide under, a small piece, large pebbles on base of tank, 2 living plants, and filter, i cant really put more in because of the size of the tank, is that enough for him to hide? i dont want to crowd the tank anymore as i think its to small as it is ?.

His behavour.......At night time he becomes very active, he swims all over the tank, and during the day he is happy to either be floating up top or sitting at the bottom, is that the usual behavour?.

So many questions, sorry , i just want to be sure hes ok.

Last but Question and most important (i have encluded pics)
When i got him he was in a tank, with just the filter nothing else.
when i brang him home ,the next day his color started to change, he now has white on the end of his body, say 3/4 of it.
Its isnt fury like its a fungus, isnt raised off his body, its just like its taking over that end? not sure how to explain it.

Ill leave the questions at that, i hope someone can help me out, i just want to do right by my new pet.

Thanks!

 

[Jacquie]

Hi Aussiemum,

So now i have a million questions to ask about my new found pet.

Here goes......

Yes indeed

I am aware that i need a bigger tank for him, i brought one the same size the petshop had him in and now when i read the info, it explains that they need it alot bigger? as in longer? it would be about 50 cm in length?

The bigger the tank the better, 50cm is a bit on the small side - if your axie is going to be alone, a two foot tank will be sufficient. If you get him a companion, three foot tank would be recommended.

Do i have the water full to the top? at the present moment i have it 3/4 full?

It's a matter of personal preference. I prefer filling to the top as this aids in dilluting wastes and gives the axie more room to move around - mine love to show off - but you will need a lid as axies can and do jump.

I have a piece of drift wood in there for him to hide under and i have made it so if he stands on it he can reach out of the water?

He doesnt need to reach out of the water unless he is going to morph - this is a very rare occurence though. He will need places to hide though so good!

Do they need to be out of water at any time?

No, absolutely not! Axies should only be taken out of the water and handled if necessary - such as being moved for treatment in salt baths etc.

How do u all clean the poop out of the water? Do u need to remove it or should the filter do that?

You will need to remove it yourself - the filter will take up the small particles but will not take the big ones. If you have a turkey baster these are ideal for spot cleaning. If you have an aquarium syphon, you just need to vacuum it up.

Is the water in the tank suppose to be crystal clear? Mine is a little mirky, im not sure if thats because i need a stronger filter or if i need to clean the poop out more than once a day?

Murkiness can be caused for a variety of reasons - Waste, excess food, type of filtration - what sort of filter do you have? I don't see it in the picture, can I assume you have an under gravel filter? If so, these are buggers to clean and waste can accumulate under them which can cause cloudiness as the 'waste' does not leave the tank. External power filters are the best as they take up no room in the tank and space is valuable - I have an internal power filter that I am looking forward to replacing...

If I can also take this oppurtunity to ask about your tank parameters. Have you tested the water for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate/PH and temperature? Ammonia and Nitrite are essential tests, the readings must be zero - anything higher is toxic to an axie. If you have not got the test kits, I recommend you obtain them. Another option if you can not obtain them, is to have your local aquarium do the tests for you.

I have a large piece of drift wood for him to hide under, a small piece, large pebbles on base of tank, 2 living plants, and filter, i cant really put more in because of the size of the tank, is that enough for him to hide? i dont want to crowd the tank anymore as i think its to small as it is?.

That should give him enough to hide. With large pebbles, ensure you are thorough in cleaning under them as the waste and excess food will sift itself underneath. I would perhaps replace the substrate with childrens play sand (this sand is considered safe for aquariums) and will be easier to keep clean. This is only a suggestion, your rocks look lovely.:happy:

His behavour.......At night time he becomes very active, he swims all over the tank, and during the day he is happy to either be floating up top or sitting at the bottom, is that the usual behavour?.

Yes, axies are more active at night. Sitting on the bottom is good - keep an eye on the floating - how often and how long does he do this?

So many questions, sorry , i just want to be sure hes ok.

That's okay, we're happy to help and I've had a coffee.

Last but Question and most important (i have encluded pics)
When i got him he was in a tank, with just the filter nothing else.
when i brang him home ,the next day his color started to change, he now has white on the end of his body, say 3/4 of it.
Its isnt fury like its a fungus, isnt raised off his body, its just like its taking over that end? not sure how to explain it.

If you mean the paler speckly tail - that looks normal to me. He's very pretty! Axies can also change from pale and darker if the water temperature changes.

Ill leave the questions at that, i hope someone can help me out, i just want to do right by my new pet.

You're off to a good start! But if you have further questions, please post them in the axolotl forum section - it's monitored more than the introductions section ensuring a faster response to your queries...I was there until 1am this morning and there are more 'dedicated' folk on the forum than I.

Cheers Jacq.

 

[Aussiemum]

Thank You so much!
I knew it was a long post with loads of questions Lol Thank you for answering ALL of them.
Im glad there is nothing wrong with my guy, and the coloring is normal.
I will be investing in another tank, hopefully soon and when i get the courage to tell my husband lol, hes going to kill me, as we have tanks all over the house Lol.

Thanks again for ure advise!

Heres some pics of why im going to get in trouble when i tell him im buying another tank Lol. I wish we had a place like they do in america thats sells no longer used tanks, coz im sure if my new tank cost $50 instead of $150 it would make a huge diff Lol.


Hermit Crabs

Cameron our Beardie

Diaz our beardie

My daughters Hermit Crabs

My sons goldfish

plus we have a dog, 2 chooks and 2rabbits !

 

[Jacquie]

No worries...I love axies and yours is absolutely gorgeous!

WOW! What an amazing menagerie (I think I've spelt that right). I love the 'Beardies'.

Ive got 6 fish, 3 axies, 2 dogs and 2 cats but no partridge in a pear tree

Yep, he's going to kill you

...Nah, what's one more tank - you can never have enough tanks.

I'm going to have enough trouble explaining to my family why I'm having 250 earthworms posted to me...:rofl: - they should have a section on the forum to help with this sort of diplomacy with family and friends....ah well.

Cheers Jacq.

Oh, and I forgot to say "WELCOME ABOARD!"