Appropriate tank size for axolotls??

[RyanLHawk]

Hello!
I have owned various Ambystomatids over the years, but this year I took on my first axolotl I have a few questions pertaining to housing and breeding. I am aware of the appropriate temperature to keep your tank water at (mine is kept at a constant 66-67 F), and I avoid any substrate to prevent accidental ingestion, and to make it much easier to spot-clean debris! I do daily spot cleanings, and do a 90% water change pretty much once a week, with bottled spring water/dechlorinated water. I use a low-flow tetra filter made for a 3 gallon aquarium to minimize water flow, but assist in filtration (he's in a 10 gallon now) Mine has been housed alone his entire life to avoid the development of cannibalistic tendencies, but I do intend on getting more axolotls in the future, once he(or she) reaches adulthood (I got my little guy when he was about 2.5 inches, and he's now about 5.25 inches... My questions are:

1.) Once my axolotl is of 6"+ in size, I would like to house him with three other axies... how big of a tank should I use? Is there a rule of thumb so to speak... as in with some fish species (x amount of gallons in relation to size/# of animals)

2.) How long before I can accurately sex my axolotl?

3.) Will he be prone to violence if housed with another adult male, even if provided with adequate hiding spots to minimize confrontation?

4.) Will axolotls generally breed with just a simple adjustment in the length of daytime light, or should there be a fluctuation in water temps?

I really enjoy watching my little guy... he's become very accustomed to my presence, and eats from a pair of tweezers (he acts just like my mavortium...he perks right up when he sees me coming over to the tank!) He is growing so fast! Your input would be awesome, and greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[HayleyK]

1. Most people sat 10gal per axolotl however if you have a higher than rather than long it's pointless. They rather floor space so I usually recommend 1.5 ft for your first axolotl to accommodate hides and then an extra ft per axolotl. They need to have plenty of floor space and hides. I've created a second floor to my tank and so have others to prevent crowding. And it looks pretty cool

2. Around 12 months however females can suprise you with male parts after many many months!

3. There shouldn't be any problems if there is plenty of hides, floor space and adequate feeding. Even better if you can feed at separate ends or away from each other to prevent snapping.

4. Some axolotls just breed anyway, the only way to stop it is divider in the tank. Some axolotls just outright refuse to breed haha. I have heard drops in temperature has triggered the spermaphore dance

Your lotl is super cute! You can move them onto earthworms as soon as you can, as long as the length it suitable so you may need to snip them.

 

[keiko]

1. This is the advice I got from the breeder that sold me my axies: "The recommended minimum size is 80cm x 35cm for one or two axolotls, 100cm x 40cm for four animals, 120cm x 50cm for six and so on." The depth should be 30cm or more. The area is more important than the liter/gallon count. And ofcourse the bigger the better for the animal.

If you're going to get more axolotls, you'll have to make sure they're approximately the same size to avoid injuries due to nipping/biting even as adults. The size difference shouldn't be more than 5cm or 2".

2. You can accurately sex them when they're full grown/reached sexual maturity. That can be anything between 6 months to over a year. They usually start to mature once they're over 18 cm but surprises always happen and what you thought was a female suddenly turns out to be a male or vice versa.

3. I don't think so. Axolotls aren't territorial so as long as there's enough space, hides and food they should be just fine.

4. Both methods are used to encourage breeding. But axolotls are pretty good breeders and will often breed without any changes on our part as long as there are some natural changes that occur through out the year. Like a window in the room -> natural changes in day length.

Here's good site where you can find a lot of info about axolotls and breeding, Axolotls: The Fascinating Mexican Axolotl and the Tiger Salamander

 

[auntiejude]

1. 4 axies need about 50 gallons - 4 ft long if possible. 10 gal and 1ft per axie is a minimum, more if you can afford it/have space.
2. You can't sex an axie until it is a minimum of 8" and over 9 months, if not more.
3. Axies don't get territorial, so fighting is not common even among mature males. I have my 2 males housed together and they are fine.
4. My axies breed through the winter - October to January. Some breed all year round, some in response to seasons.

I would make sure your filter is up to the task - you can't use a smaller filter than recommended because axies are mucky creatures and produce a lot of waste for their size. You need a filter that will move 4x the tank volume per hour - so a 50gal will require a 200 gal/hour filter. If you're using a 12 gal/hour filter meant for a 3 gal tank in a 10 gal tank it won't be doing the job properly.

 

[EmbryH]

I would make sure your filter is up to the task - you can't use a smaller filter than recommended because axies are mucky creatures and produce a lot of waste for their size. You need a filter that will move 4x the tank volume per hour - so a 50gal will require a 200 gal/hour filter. If you're using a 12 gal/hour filter meant for a 3 gal tank in a 10 gal tank it won't be doing the job properly.

I was hoping someone would mention the filter. OP, it's good that you are cautious about a strong current, but don't sacrifice your water quality. There are ways to soften a current, like making sure the water level is filled just to the spout, strategically placing caves so that their roof will take the brunt of the current, and so on. Also, I know a lot of people put their filter on the back of the tank. I've been keeping mine on the side for about two years now, because by doing this the water has more room to flow before it hits the opposite wall of the tank. I've noticed that this helps keep calm water.

I'll also add that when it comes to housing multiple axolotls together, knowing the sexes can be really important. I kept Godric and Misha together for a while, then she had her eggs but Godric still kept trying to breed with her. Obviously, it can be very stressful on a female if she breeds often, so I eventually had to put them in separate tanks. Once your little guy clearly shows which sex he is, you might want to consider only getting axolotls of the same sex, unless you have the space to separate some of them, if it becomes a necessity.

I currently house my three males in a 40breeder, which is an really excellent tank size for multiple axolotls. The breeder tanks are a little less deep than the long tanks, but they're longer than a 20long and they have really nice wide floorspace.

My boys have plenty of space and hiding places, and they all get along very well, plus now my girl Misha has her own 20long all to herself