Sand digging

[ClaudeFish]

Hey my axolotl (mature male) likes to dig his sand under the hide in his tank so the tank ends up looking bare round the edges and fairly heaped in the middle under and around the hide. when I rearange the sand whilst spot cleaning I've seen him viably putting the sand back under the hide how he had it before. Any one elses axolotls do this or know the reason behind it ?

 

[priesty]

Mine does/did this, I never caught them doing it but every morning the corners would be low and there would be a mound in front there cave.

I guess it's normal as they are fine.

You sure it's definitely a male? I'm sure it was my female who was doing it in my tank, a couple of days later I had eggs

 

[ClaudeFish]

Its definitely a male that's what I find weird too, I thought it would be female behaviour but he definitely is a male (you cant really miss em if you get what I mean) and I always thought it was a result of him marauding round his tank I only noticed him visibly digging it back the other day .

 

[MereB]

My male likes to dig out the front left corner and I have some juveniles who constantly fill in their caves until they can just squeeze into them guess they prefer tight/cozy places to hide in.

I wouldn't be worried about it. Lot's of axies like to dig and corners seem to be a preferred place for doing so. Just keep pushing it back if the look bothers you. If you want to discourage him you could try putting something big and heavy where he likes to dig but he may just dig somewhere else instead. :lol: just don't try to plant any plants where he likes to dig, you will find you are fighting a losing battle.
Who knows it could be how they deal with daily stress and anxiety

 

[mewsie]

Haha, Chester sometimes does this, it's really funny.

Perhaps he thinks he'll find worms if he digs?

 

[Zalth]

Well. They're mole salamanders, right?

 

[Morrison]

My axies do it all! They dig the sand away from the corners, leaving a completely bare bottom spot...
Sometimes it just looks like they think they can walk through the glass (they keep walking slowly with their heads against the glass) and while doing that they dig in the sand...

 

[horsyqueen]

i know chichlid fish are not salimaders but they dig alot and most people glue rocks and other items to the bottom of the tank. you could try glueing all the gravel/sand together.

 

[ClaudeFish]

Well nice to know he's normal then i only say because he attracted comments from a flat mate who also has an axie and a perfectly even bed of sand! im getting him a larger tank soon so if it is he bored or pacing or whatever the issue it may change i will keep updating.:talker:

 

[HelloKitty]

Athena likes to dig. Its always the same place, in the front right hand corner of the tank. She doesnt do it anywhere else. Every time I put the sand back she moves it all away again. Funny axolotl!

 

[Boo Penguin]

My girl does this all the time... I call it her renovations