Question: Tank too small?

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Axymoron

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Hi,

I have had a nightmare with tanks in the last few weeks. I had a 2.5ft long tank for both my axies which developed a leak which flooded my house.. I had to move the axies into a very small tank whilst I gave away my fish and converted the tropical tank into a house for them. This new tank is a 60L tank and I suppose my question is..

Can this tank be big enough for 2 axolotyls.. they're around 9 months to a year old, the wild type female is 6 inches long (5 inches at the moment after a nip to the tail) and the male is 7-8 inches long. He has grown much faster than the girl - I think this is because he kept picking on her and shes had to concentrate on growing back legs rather than getting bigger!!

I cannot afford another tank and if this tank is not big enough I will have to give one/both away :(

Thanks
:happy:
 
So sorry to hear about your tank problems. Unfortunately, yes, a 60L is a bit small for two but is sounds like you have other issues here too in the form of aggression. If you don't have the means to separate them, then yes, although heartbreaking, it may be a good decision to re-home at least one of the two.
 
Axymoron said:
Hi,

I have had a nightmare with tanks in the last few weeks. I had a 2.5ft long tank for both my axies which developed a leak which flooded my house.. I had to move the axies into a very small tank whilst I gave away my fish and converted the tropical tank into a house for them. This new tank is a 60L tank and I suppose my question is..

Can this tank be big enough for 2 axolotyls.. they're around 9 months to a year old, the wild type female is 6 inches long (5 inches at the moment after a nip to the tail) and the male is 7-8 inches long. He has grown much faster than the girl - I think this is because he kept picking on her and shes had to concentrate on growing back legs rather than getting bigger!!

I cannot afford another tank and if this tank is not big enough I will have to give one/both away :(

Thanks
:happy:
Click to expand...


I have kept my pair of wild type axolotls in a 2ftx18x18 in for about 4 month with no problems . They are happy and feeding well and have spawned in the past week . So it can be done . Some people would rather give them a larger environment so as a 3 foot tank with the same volume . I however have a 5 foot tank I am doing out at the moment so you can keep them both in your tank for a wile until you get some funds together for another tank that is on the larger side :)
 
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60L converts to roughly 15.85 US gallons when it is recommended that you allow 10 gallons per axolotl minimum. That would be fine for one axolotl but these guys are ammonia factories and you will most likely find that your tank will be nearly impossible to keep properly balanced. In addition a problem with aggression is mentioned, why keep the second axolotl stressed unnecessarily? This tank is not large enough to provide additional visual barriers or a divider to help decrease the aggression issues while also allowing them adequate floor space.

If you could find a second small used tank for cheap or a larger used tank for cheap on Craigslist or something similar, then that could be other options. Sometimes you can catch someone who just wants a tank out of their way because they are about to move or something similar.
 
Have a look on line to see if you have a freecycle. Fish tanks do come up quite often. In the mean time , as your axolotl are quite small, be vigilant with water changes and cleaning .
 
I'd be cautious about keeping these two in that small of a space given the size difference and the tendency of the male to bully the female. That situation won't improve in a smaller space even if you provide separate hides for them since they won't be far enough apart. This could quickly devolve into a situation where the female's health is jeopardized. Or, the male could do so much damage that she dies outright.

Since you have indicated that the female has been regrowing her legs, the aggressiveness of this male seems to be running at a very high level.

It would be better, then, to find a proper home for these until you can properly house them in a suitable sized tank.
 
Thanks you've all confirmed my fears.. I have asked people if they want to take the girl but so far no luck.. I spent a good 3 hours today searching for a second hand tank even as a temporary set up but to no avail.

The agression has reduced but as I said she does have a nip to the tail at the moment which I think was in feeding. I can only hope nothing happens whilst theyre in the 60L! They've both got seperate hides they like to use so maybe it will be OK temporarily.

Do pet shops often take in axys that cannot be homed anymore? Or potentially a school? Ive been racking my brains for how to get someone that will look after her properly, I dont want her to be shoved into a tank with someone who wont look after her properly.
 
Usually pet stores do an awful job caring for Axolotls, and you should look for an experienced owner. However, petstores do often sell used fish tanks very cheap, so you could look there for a 2nd tank?
 
Axymoron said:
Thanks you've all confirmed my fears.. I have asked people if they want to take the girl but so far no luck.. I spent a good 3 hours today searching for a second hand tank even as a temporary set up but to no avail.

The agression has reduced but as I said she does have a nip to the tail at the moment which I think was in feeding. I can only hope nothing happens whilst theyre in the 60L! They've both got seperate hides they like to use so maybe it will be OK temporarily.

Do pet shops often take in axys that cannot be homed anymore? Or potentially a school? Ive been racking my brains for how to get someone that will look after her properly, I dont want her to be shoved into a tank with someone who wont look after her properly.
Click to expand...

HI there,

Sorry to hear about your problems, as Julia said have you tried putting up a wanted request on freecycle for a tank as they do come up a lot and you may strike lucky??

IF you do need to rehome your axie your best bet would be to put an advert on caudata and I am sure you will find someone that would happily rehome your axie and at least you know it will be somebody that loves axies as everyone on here is caudate mad :) Good luck
 
OK right well I shall put a wanted thingy on Freecycle and cross my fingers and if theres no luck after a few days I'll pop an ad on here... I really dont want to get rid of her so will see if I strike lucky.. Unfortunately the mortgage, gas and electricity bills are taking priority over a nice new tank :(
 
Hope you find something on free cycle. If you are stuck then I could potentially offer a temp home (say for a couple of months while you try to get hold of a tank) and I'm not too far away (Hertford). I guess that would be a last resort - but pm me if you are interested.
 
I managed to get a tank on beford freegle when I got my axie. I got my fingers crossed for you!
Also dont forget ebay... you can find 3 foot tanks go quite cheap local if you arent looking for a Juwel all singing all dancing eye candy tank. Just got to search for a while

GOOD LUCK!!!

Edited to add.. When I did my freegle add i said it was for an axolotl I had unexpectedly been given. One of the guys that replied said it was the word axolotl that caught his attention and he googled it and thought WOW!
So maybe that might help you to ;)
 
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Shizeric said:
Then forget about the electricity bill! Axolotls like it dark anyway!!!
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I dont think my partner or the dog would be too pleased about that!

Well I have posted a wanted ad on freegle (Thanks for that I'd never even heard of it) and on various other unwanted goods ads.. I have also phoned round my LFS's and they have nothing I can afford thats big enough at the moment but they'll keep me informed if anything happens.

On the plus side, considering the cramped conditions, both axies are doing well and quite enjoying their change of scenery.. so when (I'm being optimistic) I do get a new tank they are getting nice new climbing frames (may try one of those moss walls?) and some lovely new sand..

Fingers, toes and everything else crossed!!!
 
Why not just purchase a large plastic storage tub? I've used rubbermaid tubs numerous times. In the states, you can get a 30 gallon tub for $15. It'll help until you can get a new tank, and then you have it around if you need it afterward for a hospital tank or such.
 
I got a 160 litre Jewel for £63 including a load of equipment and fish on ebay.

You'll find tanks with fish and everything go for less. Sure you'll need to do a bit of cleanup and find homes for the fish but it's worth it to get a bargain.

The easier it is for you, the more you'll end up paying.
 
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