Two new juvies/beginner axie owner

[tammyaxie]

Hi. I bought 2 axies last saturday and put them in a tank I set up just an hour b4. I used tap water with an aquarium conditioner called prime. They eat bloodworms once or twice a day. I vacume the sand flooring each day and they seem to either be different on personality or maybe one is sick. My wild type (Aristotle) is chill and mellow and eats but not as aggressively as my leucistic (Apricot). Apticot is going crazy in the tank right now. Swiming quickly back and forth. I just came home so I don't know if she is doing it because I am near the tank or if he/she is stressed. She has a ferocious appetite and she is only swiming back and front where I am in front of the tank. What does this mean?? Do they have varying temperaments?? Also I have never done a ph test and change water 20% daily in 10 gallon filtered tank.

 

[tammyaxie]

 

[Skudo09]

They may take some time to settle in and may just be exploring their new home. Juveniles also tend to be more active.

As you had only set up the tank an hour before adding the axolotls your tank won't be cycled. You will need to monitor the water parameters very closely whilst the tank cycles so you don't expose the axolotls to toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite. Do you have a liquid testing kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as well as ph? You will need one if you don't have one already. If you are unsure of what cycling is, it is important that you read up on cycling as it is very important in maintaining good water quality. It is great that you are doing daily water changes whilst the tank cycles.

Also a ten gallon is ok for them whilst they are juveniles but it would be best to upgrade them to a larger tank as they do grow quickly and two axolotls in a ten gallon will be a bit crowded. some people say one axolotl per ten gallons but I prefer to go by floor space and length of the tank. I use the rule of one axolotl per foot of the tank plus one extra foot to allow for ornaments and other items in the tank. Upgrading to a bigger tank will also give you better control on water quality.

 

[tammyaxie]

Is this a fungus

 

[tammyaxie]

Thanks @skudo09. I am aware of what cycling is and I will have to use my next pay check for the water testing. When can I start giving them earthworms? These bloodworms are a pain to clean up even though I have a feeding bowl in the tank. I want to keep the mess to a minimal level so as not to cause too much toxicity. They are about 3.5 centimeters. How old is that? I will be getting a 20 gal long in a little bit. Thanks again.

 

[Skudo09]

I can't see any fungus.

3.5cm? Do you mean inches? Sorry I am confused as they look bigger than 3.5cm. They are beautiful axies by the way . I fed mine earthworms from around 3 inches. I chopped the worms up if they were a bit big for them.

 

[tammyaxie]

Lol. Yes I did mean inches. And thank u. I think they are gorgeous creatures. Im going to try the earthworms. Red worms seem to be what they like but I think their tank being clean in more important.

 

[Skudo09]

earthworms are more nutritious as well . Glad I could help