Where to purchase axolotls in North West

[M155SPARKLE]

Hi All, Im new to this site. Thought it looked a friendly place and source of useful info about all things axolotl. I used to keep axolots as a teenager and now my son is really keen to get one too. I am an experienced tropical fish keeper and have put a spare 2 ft tank aside for his first Axie. Does anyone know of a breeder or pet / store in the NorthWest area that sells axolots? Ive rung several of my usual tropical fish shops and nobody seems to stock them?

Also having not kept axolots for about 20 years I can remember what substrate is best? Bare bottom, sand or gravel? Currently the tank has small pea gravel in, but I know they can eat this so was going to take it out.

Look forward to hearing back from you

Cheers

Germaine

 

[blabberwort]

Hi Germaine and welcome :happy:

I tried for ages to get an axolotl in my area to no avail and ended up buying from a breeder who posted 2 to me. If your happy to buy and have them sent to you, you could make a post in the sell/trade section.

With regards to substrate your correct, gravel is a big no no. As to wether sand or barebottom is better , it is a personal choice. I prefer sand as I feel it gives them a bit of grip, however as I said this is just a personal choice. If you do decide on sand then the cheapest and one of the best sands to buy is childrens play sand. Just make sure that you wash it well before putting it in your tank.
Hope that helps a bit

Ness

 

[Jennewt]

Also having not kept axolots for about 20 years I can remember what substrate is best? Bare bottom, sand or gravel? Currently the tank has small pea gravel in, but I know they can eat this so was going to take it out.

Germaine

See
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/substrate1.shtml

 

[M155SPARKLE]

Hi thanks for the friendly welcome and for getting back to me so quickly. I took the gravel out last night and am planning to get some sand in the next day or so. The tank is already mature as its been used as a breeding and fry rearing tank for my fish for approx 1 year. Yes I have seen a couple of online breeders/shops. Im a bit wary of having animals sent through the post as the only time ive bought fish that way sadly most of them died from the stress. Thought id have a look in the classifieds on here first and see if there were any Axies within driving distance. Unless you guys can recommend any online breeders / stores that sell them?

Many thanks

Germaine

 

[esoteric]

Hi Germaine,

I recently purchased 2 axies (golden & wild) from this place in Leyland, Lanc's. The woman who runs the place said she breeds them herself, so it might be worth giving her a call.

http://www.aqualifeonline.co.uk/index.htm


My son told me about his friend who bought 2 axies, within the last couple of weeks, from a pet shop in Ormskirk, Lanc's. Sorry I can't be any more specific but Google may help there. I've heard a few people say they have seen axies while shopping in Ormskirk.

There was a problem with the Ormskirk shop though, they told this friend of my son that she had to do a 90% water change every 2 weeks and they sold her some fish flakes and crab food to feed them. If you're anything like me you will want to go and rescue these axies, if it's not too far away like.

The only other place I know that have had axies recently is the petshop (not the aquarium place there) at Golden Days Nusery, in Standish, near wigan.

As for substrate, deffo get rid of the gravel. I bought some ready sterilised play sand from Argos. Wash it well and you have a great substrate for less than 3 quid.

Ron.

 

[M155SPARKLE]

Hi, Many thanks for that. I certainly give both shops a call today and see if they got any in. It also gives me an excuse to see what tropical fish theyve got that I can add to my collection!

Whats the best food to feed baby axolots these days? I used to give mine chopped earthworms, tubifex either live or frozen or chopped peeled prawns. WOuld you still recommend this? Or is there specially prepared foods available on the market these days?

Kind regards

Germaine

 

[esoteric]

Good luck with your search Germaine. I fed my little ones (2.5") on frozen bloodworm when I first got them. However, as I dig worms for my bigger axies, I find plenty of small earthworms and the little ones love them....didn't stay little for long. They also get the occasional serving of sinking pellets, but I find they only eat them as they fall and they don't like rounding them up from the bottom of the tank.

Ron.