Tank mates?

[Hthecvt]

What sort of cleaner-type things can live with lotls?

I'd like some snails, but will they eat them? What about ghost shrimp? Anything else?

Thanks!

*H, CVT*

 

[LSuzuki]

Unfortunately, most cleaner-things aren't appropriate in axolotl tanks.

Plecos and otocinclus catfish and the like are totally out. Either they will suck on the slime coat of the axie or the axie will eat them. And these sorts of catfish have sharp spines in their pectoral fins that lock into place when something scares them - eating them can kill your axie.

Snails may or may not be OK, depending on the type of snail. Small ones with relatively soft shells will get eaten occasionally, but probably won't cause harm. Larger ones are not appropriate. I haven't wanted to keep snails with my axies, so I haven't researched it much - search this forum to see what people have recommended over the years.

Small shrimp become snacks, but as long as they are healthy and you don't mind them being eaten, no problem. I seem to recall some larger shrimp being recommended against - search the forum.

 

[Hthecvt]

Yeah, if they ate the ghost shrimp, I wouldn't be heartbroken, haha. But I worry about snails causing an impaction. I'll search, thanks!

*H, CVT*

 

[NaterPotater]

Every fish tank I've ever had has gotten lots of algae unless I had an algae eater or two (and I've always liked to have other little bottom feeders like cories). Neither of my axolotl tanks has had any algae at all, ever. Honestly, if you've got your tank set up and maintained in a way to keep your axolotls healthy, you won't get any algae. Algae thrives and blooms when the water is fairly warm, when there's lots of light (either real or artificial), and there's plenty of nitrate as a food source for it. In your axolotl tank, you want it to be cold, really only enough light to be able to see and enjoy the axolotl, and only a small amount of nitrate (enough to tell that your nitrogen cycle is still going strong). If your tank allows for your axolotls to be happy, it WON'T allow for algae to be happy. You won't need an algae eater if the algae can't grow, and you won't need any other bottom feeders if you siphon with water changes and suck up poop and uneaten food with a turkey baster whenever you notice it in the tank.

And there you have it! lol. No need for any type of bottom-feeding fish or snails.

 

[LSuzuki]

NaterPotater is right about the algae. I have some in my axie tanks where the light hits the side of the tank (where I have it aimed), but none on the front of the glass.