Question: First-time Axolotl owner (Well..soon to be, anyway) - need advice!

[LukeMc]

Hello everyone!

With my recent studies into Amphibians (particularly Urodela), I've decided I want to get an axolotl! However, I've never really owned an amphibian before and so I need some advice on some of the following (I've read numerous guides/fact sheets (i.e. axolotl.org), but it's still a little hazy):

- Do many pet stores sell them around Melbourne?
- What kind of size tank should I be looking at for 1 axolotl? I'd like to sit the aquarium in the corner of my study desk (so I can watch my axolotl move about while I'm studying ).
- Is it sufficient to feed my axolotl on a diet consisting of predominately pellets (and the occasional worm here & there..)?
- I really want to plant/aquascape my aquarium, so are there any plants that you guys would suggest? (I've heard Java Fern, Moss & Lileuopsis (spell check..?) are the most suitable candidates).
- What kind of price am I looking at for a complete setup?

Oh, and lastly. Are air-stones suitable filters (and if I had one, how many water changes would I need to make per week) or are other filters (external clamp on ones, internal ones) more suitable options?

Thanks in advance!

Luke.

 

[Chirple]

For one axolotl, the ideal is a 20 long size tank. A 10 gallon standard size is a minimum - but you might find as it reaches full size that that is too cramped. They grow fairly quickly too, so it's not worth starting out with a smaller tank and upgrading - I did that, I started out with a 10, and it was a pain to transfer everything !

I don't think you'd be able to put an axolotl tank in a desk corner - unless it's a *huge* desk. Aquariums are also *very heavy* when full of water. I have had a 10 on a normal dresser on normal shelving unit - but my 20 is on a solid wood table since it's upward of 300lbs.

For axolotls, the "floor space" is very important and the vertical space doesn't matter as much. You want a long and wide tank, not a tall one with a small foot-print. You might be able to find an aquarium + stand on Craigslist.

If you want something like, say, a 5 gallon (desk-size), a betta or shrimp are nice and fun to watch.

For plants, you have to have a light capable of sustaining them - since axolotls have sensitive eyes, you're looking at a lower-output light. So any plants that will do well with low light and cold temperatures will do.

Since you're in Australia, you'll have to consider if you'll be able to keep the water temperature cold enough. A chiller is going to cose a couple hundred dollars, and water temperature problems are a frequent issue in AU. You can keep the axolotl in a refrigerator during a heat wave, but in general the ideal is in the mid-60s, and absolutely no higher than 75F/24C. Even close to that can give you big problems and lead to stress and death.

I've probably spend around $200 USD, but I have *lots* of plants and I bought them over time. Initial might have been more like $120 ? It might not be exactly the same in AU. Check Craigslist or something like Freecycle for a tank, that will help you over paying full cost.

Air stones are not filters, they only add oxygen to the water. You can't have an axolotl tank without a filter unless you're doing tubs and plan on doing a 100% water change daily. This is very stressful for you and a lot of water to be continually using - making it expensive. You can get a sponge filter as a great and very cheap option. They produce little flow and also oxegenate the water and provide a bio-filtration media.

 

[jessicaanne]

Hi Luke,

I'm from Melbourne as well and I've found axolotls in almost every pet shop or aquarium that I've been to in my area. They're generally $25 which is the price for a juvenile these days.

In regards to tank size, I have just the one axy and she's in a 3ft long tank which is adequate (I doubt that you'd be able to have your axolotl tank on a desk). I have two fake plants but I've been told that Anubias, Java Fern and Elodea are good hardy plants however the Elodea is considered a weed in Australia so you're better off not going for that

I feed my axolotl about five pellets once or twice a week, frozen blood worm cubes every two-three days and whenever I haven't fed her pellets; I feed her live earthworms instead. They're better off having worms as a staple diet because I doubt the pellets would have enough nutrition - plus the worms fill their little tummies up

I have both an air stone and an internal filter. The air stone sits at one end of the tank while the filter is at the opposite end so that there isn't too much water flow in the one area. I picked up my internal filter for about $50 if I remember correctly and it's good because all the internal parts are seperate so if you don't want the carbon media in it you can replace it with ceramic noodles instead (this is what I did to help with the cycling process). It also has a spray bar which directs the water onto the wall of the tank and causes less water flow. You can have just the filter but I found that before I had an air stone, my axy was going to the surface more often. Air stones are only about $5 for a large one and the pump is around the $30 mark so I think they're worth having as well as the filter :happy:

Hope this helped!