Description
About Axolotls
Axolotls are unique aquatic salamanders from Mexico, known for their neotenic trait, retaining juvenile features into adulthood. They are well known for their unique features like their external gills, cute appearance, and impressive regenerative abilities. Sadly, these creatures are critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss.
Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their natural habitat and preserve these enigmatic creatures for future generations to appreciate and study. In recent years, Axolotls have also become popular as pets in captivity, where they require proper care and attention to ensure their well-being.
Behaviour
Axolotls are solitary animals and prefer to stay alone in their own setups. Although solitary animals, adult Axolotls are able to coexist together in the same environment without any problems.
Throughout the day, they like to hide out in between aquatic plants and under woods to avoid predators. At night, however, they become active and start to explore their surroundings. While they breathe through their gills while submerged, they occasionally surface to take a brief breath of air.
Environment
The Aquarium: Axolotls are able to grow up to 30cm+ and require a large area to swim and explore. An aquarium size of 50L+ or 2ft+ is recommended to keep Axolotls comfortable with enough floor space for moving around.
The Water: Water quality is the most important part of keeping these animals. Axolotls need clean water to be to stay healthy. They are rather messy animals and require a filter to keep the water clean. Untreated and dirty water can cause unwanted infections.
Make sure the aquarium water is treated with water conditioners and is fully cycled to prevent the rise in toxic ammonia.
Filters: A filter is important to keep the aquarium water clean. Choose a filter with no flow or an adjustable flow. Axolotls do not like strong currents and flow. They are very sensitive to water current and can become stressed, stop eating, and can eventually die from currents that are too strong.
Lighting: Axolotls don’t like very strong lighting and prefer to hide in dark spots. Choose low level lighting or adjustable lighting to keep them comfortable.
Substrate: Sand is the safest substrate for Axolotls, as they may ingest substrates such as gravel when eating. Sand may look more natural, but many keepers prefer to keep the tank floor bare and empty. It makes cleaning the tank easier.
Decorations: Axolotls prefer many places to hide. Decor such as woods, hides, and plants make great additions to the tank to benefit your Axolotl.
Tankmates: Tankmates such as other fishes are not recommended in an Axolotl setup. Small fish can be eaten by the Axolotl and cause issues with their digestion. Fish are also sometimes aggressive and can attack the sensitive, exposed gills of an Axolotl. Even relatively peaceful fish will find nip at their gills.
Nutrition
Staple Food: Axolotls are carnivores and require a high-protein diet. A mixed diet of bloodworms, shrimp, sinking pellets, etc. is recommended to keep Axolotls healthy.
Foods To Avoid: Axolotls will try to eat anything smaller than their mouths. Avoid feeding any live foods like feeder fish, mealworms, crickets, etc. as these can cause problems with their digestion or introduce unwanted parasites.
Aquarium Maintenance
Aquarium maintenance should be done at least once a week. Any algae growth, uneaten food, dead plants, and waste should be removed through a 50% water change. Do not change 100% of the aquarium water, as a sudden change in their environment can stress them out.
Reintroduce the water gently into the aquarium, and remember to treat the water with aquarium water conditioners to keep the water safe. Remember to clean the filter too as needed.
Supply Checklist
Here are some necessary supplies owners will need to keep their Axolotls happy and healthy~
- Appropriate size aquarium
- Filter
- Lighting
- Decorations
- Water Conditioner
- Beneficial Bacteria
- Axolotl Food
Important Notes
- Axolotls are not animals that should be touched or handled. They have sensitive skin with no protection such as scales. Touching them can cause an infection, let alone stress them out. Children should be monitored to prevent curious hands from getting into the tank.
- Because Axolotls are carnivores, the high-protein foods will rot and dirty the water much faster. Avoid overfeeding and be sure they finish up their food within 2–5 minutes. Any leftovers should be removed. A filter is a must to keep the water clean.
- Never feed your Axolotls with bugs collected from your backyard.
And you’re set! All the best to you and your Axolotl!
For further enquiries, contact us at 03-7733 7469 or drop by our shop and speak to our team!