Cost of owning an axolotl

[Emmy]

Hello everyone! First post here. My partner and I are considering getting an axolotl. How expensive are they to own? For example, I understand that they do not need heat or a light bulb but should have some sort of filter (although I've read conflicting info on this!). Does a filter cost much to run? My parents got rid of their fish tank a few years ago as it was pushing the electricity bill up too much. Admittedly this was a tropical tank so it had a heater, filter and light.

How about axolotl food? I've read that they like bloodworms. I know that my local garden centre sells these but I'm not sure about price. What else is good to feed them with? I do not have a garden so can't go out and gather worms.

I'd also be grateful if anyone could tell me what miscellaneous items are required for axolotl care. For example, do I need any water chemicals or testing equipment?

Huge thanks!

 

[cedwards9]

Hey, there!

Axolotl can be ridiculously low cost. My house stays right at 69 degrees year round due to heating and cooling, so the water is already at the high end of the acceptable temp spectrum. If you live in a temperate climate like I do, you'll pretty much never need a heater or cooler.

The little dudes prefer about 20+ gallons apiece but if you do a minimalist tank with no substrate you can get by with 10 or 15. You can find 30 gallons and lower for free all the time on most craigslist or facebook buy/sell/trade groups. Alternatively walmart sells a barebones tank for 15 bucks.

Now, they like still water so Ideally you want a canister filter, but if you're smart about it, you can just get a little 14 dollar filter pump from any fish store (or walmart again) and set it up so that the water doesn't create current. I do this by placing a large flat rock on top of a terracotta planting pot (used as a hide) to break the flow of water. It just splashes down onto the rock and distributes calmly among the tank.

Feeding them can also be super easy. They love bloodworms and those aren't too expensive, true, but also earthworms. I just send my six year old out in the yard with a garden shovel and a tupperware container once a week, and five minutes later, my little guys have loads of food. (rinse the things first) If you don't have access to this, if you live anywhere people fish, you can buy just regular bait earthworms from gas stations, bait shops or - say it with me now - walmart for a couple bucks a week.

Really, minus the cost of the axolotl itself, your startup can be as low as free. I have 2 adult breeding pair and I don't think I've spent a dime on them in the last 3 months, and they're happy as can be.

Tropical tanks cost loads to run, but I have two 55 gallon tanks, a 40, and a small hatchery tank all running filters and it might cost me the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes per month to run.

You don't really need much in the way of water testing supplies. If there's chlorine in your water, let it sit for 24 hours before putting an axolotl in it, or dumping it into the tank. Other than that, if it's safe for you to drink, it's safe for them to live in. As for miscellaneous items, a few weighted, artificial aquarium plants and something for them to hide in (planting pot upside down with a cave hole cut in it - edges sanded) goes a long way.

Edit - I see you live in the UK. 15 dollars here is about 12 pounds there. Tesco or ASDA may have what you're looking for.

 

[EggAndSausage]

Hello, you do need water testing supplies. Axies are messy because they are poop machines. To clean their poop, use a siphon. API fresh water testig kit is around 30 dollars here in the US. The testing kit helps measure the water levels to determine what might be causing harm to your axies. I recommend doing a lot more research since they are kind of advanced for first time tank owners. Sand is a pain in the butt for substrate. I have black Tahitian moon sand which sucks because I can't see anything, my axies dig their poop in it and the siphon always sucks it up. If I were you, I would get either ROUND grave so it can pass through the axies if it eats it or some type of fake grass that is durable and easy to clean off. For the filter, get a fluval since it has a moveable thing which controls the amount of water flowing. If you have chlorine in you water, use some type of dechlorinator. I use Seachum Prime. If your in a hot area, get ready for big costs. Chillers are very expensive and aquarium fans are a pain. I would advise getting a light but only have it on for about 20 minutes or less a day ( for searching for poop, axie health, and other things). If you want a better g axie, use an earthworm diet. There's a good Axolotl advice on YouTube and one of the best channels for information is from Taylor Nicole Dean. Axies are about 30 dollars here or 24 pounds each. The total cost of my tank was about 325 for everything in US dollars which is quite expensive because of the weather conditions here. Overall, axies are a difficult for new aquarium keepers because they are so much to worry about if you get them as babies. Also, if you get 2 babie axies, they might eat each other since they are canabalistic till adulthood.