Axolotls! I needs them!

[ferretinmyshoes]

So in light of the sudden heartbreaking lack of pygmies (kick myself in the face 10x for not getting a better breeding colony going - had plans to "later") I've decided I need an axolotl (or two). I've been looking into them for a long time and it was again one of those I'll get one "later" additions. Well I want one now! And NARBC is coming up and they had buckets of them last year. Been reading up on their care, joined caudate.org forums, etc. but one major part still eludes me. I've never set up an aquarium before and know nothing about the different types of filters or cycling the water and all that jazz. And that's kind of a world of its own I'm discovering. So I'm looking for aquarium savvy peeps who can offer advice on setting up a new aquarium (to a newbie in simple terms), or point me to some good resources. Dr. google isn't helping discriminate good from bad aquarium sites...

I mean look at that face and tell me they aren't adorable!!

 

[Miss Lily]

Awwww, they are so cute! I can't help you though, but I do like these myself! They are quite fascinating!

 

[lslcronk]

Good lord that thing is cute!! It looks like it is smiling at you!! I know it is not a cham but when you get them I wanna see!!!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Oh don't worry, many pictures shall be posted! Haven't told the hubby yet but it's happening. Better to ask forgiveness than permission!

 

[pssh]

Definitely have the water set up way before the animal/any fish. Fresh water tanks aren't that hard to set up with a few tools. (I don't know about the actual amphibians, so I cant give you exact advice)

Wash everything down with water only several times. Set it all up and let it cycle. Buying some testing equipment is very helpful to determine how far along you are. There are tricks to speeding up a cycle that a google search will reveal. Keeping it warm is one way. Also using a lot of air stones.

Use a dish to pour the water into so that you don't mess up the gravel/sand/pebbles too much.

It's actually really simple, it just takes a while.

 

[okiroo]

awh i used to want one of those, very cute. blind arnt they?

 

[maxttu]

Oh don't worry, many pictures shall be posted! Haven't told the hubby yet but it's happening. Better to ask forgiveness than permission!

Lol! So true!!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Definitely have the water set up way before the animal/any fish. Fresh water tanks aren't that hard to set up with a few tools. (I don't know about the actual amphibians, so I cant give you exact advice)

Wash everything down with water only several times. Set it all up and let it cycle. Buying some testing equipment is very helpful to determine how far along you are. There are tricks to speeding up a cycle that a google search will reveal. Keeping it warm is one way. Also using a lot of air stones.

Use a dish to pour the water into so that you don't mess up the gravel/sand/pebbles too much.

It's actually really simple, it just takes a while.

Thanks pssh! Which testing kit would you recommend? I've heard the strips are junk from some people. I'm definitely planning on letting it cycle well first. I think I found some good info on that finally. And using a sponge filter.

awh i used to want one of those, very cute. blind arnt they?

No these aren't blind. You're thinking of the blind salamanders found in underground caverns. Although it's true axolotl eyesight is still not very good. But with that little face who needs 20/20!

 

[danibug23]

those things are sooooo cute!!! are they hard to take care of?

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Apparently not very hard. Here's a great website for them: http://www.axolotl.org/

 

[lslcronk]

Oh don't worry, many pictures shall be posted! Haven't told the hubby yet but it's happening. Better to
ask forgiveness than permission!

Hehe I will be using this philosophy at some point when Rob decides to part with one of his Bokazar babies...I figure I could have the little guy in the house at least six weeks without my honey knowing...I may take bets on it! Haha

 

[coldbloodedAL]

These guys are awesome, a local shop has a bunch of them. I always stop in there to see them

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Hehe I will be using this philosophy at some point when Rob decides to part with one of his Bokazar babies...I figure I could have the little guy in the house at least six weeks without my honey knowing...I may take bets on it! Haha

lol! lemme know when the books open!

 

[pssh]

I use the API brand kits.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Hoj]

i have recently set up a new fresh water tank and had to do a bit of learning to get it right.
main thing i learned is a 3 step process
1. water treatment makes tap water safe
2. bacteria cycle, starts the development of benificial bactera
3. waste management, breakes down heavy particulate to be filtered

you may want to google the nitrogen cycle it explains how it all works
feel free to pm if you have any other questions.

 

[Miss Lily]

Oh don't worry, many pictures shall be posted! Haven't told the hubby yet but it's happening. Better to ask forgiveness than permission!

Lol! I did the same thing when I got Splat (my first crestie)! I paid a deposit on him the night before my very first reptile show and didn't tell my hubby what I was planning, since I was bringing the small kritter keeper homwe too! My Mum was coming tot he show with me and she knew - she was just as excited as me! As we left the house in the morning my daughter said 'Don't bring anything back, Mum!' 'No' I said, as my Mum and I exchanged knowing glances, lol!

 

[Hoj]

Lol! I did the same thing when I got Splat (my first crestie)! I paid a deposit on him the night before my very first reptile show and didn't tell my hubby what I was planning, since I was bringing the small kritter keeper homwe too! My Mum was coming tot he show with me and she knew - she was just as excited as me! As we left the house in the morning my daughter said 'Don't bring anything back, Mum!' 'No' I said, as my Mum and I exchanged knowing glances, lol!

lol been there, i picked up my nosy be at a show and had it all set up before hand and my gf was a little confused and peved that i had snuck a new cham in. now every expo i goto i get the looks and questions about what surprises i may have arranged

 

[Zen Reptiles]

I have had an axie for about 5 months, and I love him. They grow fast.

Personally the leucistic and golden albino are my favorite morphs. Down in the states there are some breeders with piebald morphs which are really cool IMO. There is also normal ablino, wild type, melanistic (also very cool, jet black).

I use a 10g for mine, but will upgrade to 40g at adult size. The aquarium is about 1/3 full of water. I use Reverse Osmosis water with about 1 tbsp of sea salt (or less). I also add about 1/2 or 1/3 of an Indian Almond leaf.

So far so good. The Indian Almond leaf really inhibits algae and mold and stuff, which means less water changes and less problems from bacteria. I just use aquarium sand (black, so the white leucistic shows up nicely), some malaysian wood, and some petrified wood I found around here.

I feed him newt pellets, blood worms, the occasional cricket, and sometimes a fish.

The one tip the breeder gave me was to keep the water cool. In fact when they have a health issue, some breeders keep them in the fridge. Think 'cool lake'.

Other than that, they are really an easy and very cool pet to take care of. Easy to get them to associate you with food (so you can hand feed). They seem to have excellent vision, as he will swim around his aquarium following me around the room, looking right at me.

Unlike chameleons, I would say these guys thrive on neglect. The less you are in their space, the better. I do about 60% water changes every 2 months (but only add a pinch of salt.....if you keep adding salt without removing 100% of the old water you can end up with too much salt). I replace the Indian Almond leaf every month or month and a half. I feed daily or at least 4 times a week, but never too much (they don't seem to have a 'full' button).

This is a pet you will enjoy.

Great newt & Salamander forum: http://www.caudata.org/forum/

A caresheet from the breeder I got mine from PDF: http://elementalherps.com/Elemental_Herps/Available_files/Axolotl caresheet FINAL.pdf

And some pics of my guy that my gf took.

 

[DavidBuchan]

I always liked Axolotls myself, they had a couple in a conservatory at a local park when I was a kid. They are larvae that don't bother to change to the 'adult' form, right? Funny little things..........