Handling an Axolotl?

[benh]

I've just been reading Kaysie's excellent guide on salt baths - if you haven't checked it out, I would do so, very helpful for those who've never done one!
Just on the point of handling your Axolotl (see Step 4 of Kaysie's guide) - I've never tried to do this myself, but I'm considering it, as I spend an age trying to coax my Colin into a container when I need to remove him from his tank. It can also be a bit tricky trying to pour him back in, and I get worried he might try and do a spectacular jump and injure himself...

I seem to remember from other posts I've read on here that it's best not to handle Axies - but it seems like it might be the safest way to transfer them? I've never actually touched my Axolotl - so maybe he'd get stressed? Or does following him around with a container stress him out more... I myself get a bit anxious trying to corner him and he makes me jump out of my skin with his sudden wriggley bursts of speed lol

I'm guessing they are deceptively powerful - just how tight will I need to grip him if I ever pluck up the courage to handle him? Should I build up to it by maybe getting him used to my hand (I'll have to brace myself for an Axie nip or two no doubt!)
Thanks for your help guys - you never fail to give great advice!!

 

[xxianxx]

I try to avoid handling my axolotls, the babys/juvies are always chivied into a jug for transportation, the adults though are handled, when i move them from their tank to a holding bucket during a tank clean up/major water change, i always wash my hands first in hot water(no soap/detergent) , support the belly with one hand and transfer them immediately from their tank to the bucket that im holding in the other hand, they are quite used to this procedure and dont panic or get stressed. I would be quite interested in other peoples opinions of this, as in relatively new to this site and dont know if this course of action is considered bad practice.

 

[ACEPHONECHIC]

I handle my Five Axies each week when I take them out of their tank put them in a plastic container of water while I clean their tank, stones. plastic plants etc. I am very gentle but have done it ever since they got too big to use the plastic flour sieve, I had after using a plastic tea strainer when very small.
I find the best way is of course with clean hands no soap etc,:happy: lift them very gently like you would if you were handling a lizard or any reptile. Hand underneath, fingers gently behind the gills, as you do not want to have any damage caused. Then slowly out of the water into the tub. They do not seem to object at all, in fact Galaxy my 9 inch Axie loves to have his sides very softly stroked. It causes alot less stress than chasing them around a tank with some kind of bowl which will also transfer dirty water with them.
I put them back the same way but open the fingers once we touch the water and they slowly swim out. Mine are now 12 months old.

 

[benh]

Thanks for replying guys!
I guess it makes a lot of sense to have this minimal contact when transferring Axolotls - better than chasing them around with a plastic container, or risk damaging their gills in a net.

Seeing as my Axolotl hasn't ever been handled, I wonder how best to approach doing this for the 1st time? As I mentioned in my initial post - I could try and familiarise Colin with my hand. Maybe just placing it next to him until he realises I'm not food... any ideas?

P.S. for the record, I'm not advocating handling as in lifting your Axie out of the water and petting them etc. I can see why this would be potentially dangerous and wouldn't ever do this myself. I just want everyone's opinions, advice, techniques on how to safely transfer your Axie :happy:

 

[Aimzs Lotties]

Hi there, I have 3 very cute, happy adult axies. When I need to move them I usually use an extra large net which I bought from the pet store. It is fairly easy to catch them in it then to tip them out you simply put your hand under the net and invert it, placing the axie gently into the water.

On the topic of patting/ handling. I have heard its quite bad for the axie if you do it a lot, as it wears down their slime coat. That being said I do tickle mine occasionally VERY carefully and they seem to enjoy it. I do hand feed mine though so they are very used to my hands being around the place.

 

[Minniechild]

For me with the babies, I move them by hand, because I was seeing tiny limbs being caught in the wide weave net, then when I moved to the fine weave net, it was just keeping the poop with them. As to the adults, the few times I've moved them, it's been with a net, and has been SO much more stressful for all of us... Though 'cause my guys are so wriggly, I think I'll be using the dual method of hands and nets to minimise the freakout factor.
Though I have to say it feels VERY special to have an axolotl in your hands... a creature that can trace its evolution back longer than the dinosaurs has something pretty remarkable going for it <3

 

[xxianxx]

I usually use an extra large net which I bought from the pet store

You didn't say how large the mesh is , if its quite small there is a small possibility that the axolotls gills/fingers/toes could get caught in the mesh and removed. Many people use a jug (plastic so it doesn't damage the tank or smash if its dropped with an axolotl in it) for transportation of juvenile axolotls, if your moving them from a dirty tank and dont want the water fouling the new container, just decant the dirty water, the axolotl wont dry out as your doing the change very fast, the axolotls may panic the first few times you do this but once you've done it a few times the seem to stop getting stressed.

 

[Minniechild]

Using the standard aquaone nets, I've got the two gradients, and neither has worked for us...As to decanting, I have enough trouble not losing my blackworms, let alone my wriggly babies And with the hand, I have the security of knowing the cat hasn't got it and poked a hole in it (That and I think they do better going by hand- no lost limbs and no drying out *boogies!*)

 

[benh]

Thanks again for the input guys :happy:
After having moved my Axie a good number of times using plastic containers - I really don't want to have to use this method again. Too many negatives; from the stress caused by chasing him round the tank, trying to corner him - to the problems when decanting him back into the tank (dirty water back into the tank, plus wriggley, jumpy Axie injuring himself trying to jump out). Also the position & size of my tank make it really awkward to get the container in and out, it's a pain!

I could possibly get a large net to transfer him - I'd just be worried about him getting into funny tangled positions and damaging his gills etc.
From the sounds of it, some Axies don't seem to mind being picked up and transferred, and don't struggle either - which would be ideal!

Any thoughts on how to make an Axolotl comfortable with this process of handling when transferring from a tank? Considering I've never even touched my Axie, I'd be concerned about just diving in and picking him up...

 

[Aimzs Lotties]

Thanks again for the input guys :happy:
After having moved my Axie a good number of times using plastic containers - I really don't want to have to use this method again. Too many negatives; from the stress caused by chasing him round the tank, trying to corner him - to the problems when decanting him back into the tank (dirty water back into the tank, plus wriggley, jumpy Axie injuring himself trying to jump out). Also the position & size of my tank make it really awkward to get the container in and out, it's a pain!

I could possibly get a large net to transfer him - I'd just be worried about him getting into funny tangled positions and damaging his gills etc.
From the sounds of it, some Axies don't seem to mind being picked up and transferred, and don't struggle either - which would be ideal!

Any thoughts on how to make an Axolotl comfortable with this process of handling when transferring from a tank? Considering I've never even touched my Axie, I'd be concerned about just diving in and picking him up...

Do you hand feed? That could be a good way to start getting them comfortable with your hands?

 

[Aimzs Lotties]

I usually use an extra large net which I bought from the pet store

You didn't say how large the mesh is , if its quite small there is a small possibility that the axolotls gills/fingers/toes could get caught in the mesh and removed. Many people use a jug (plastic so it doesn't damage the tank or smash if its dropped with an axolotl in it) for transportation of juvenile axolotls, if your moving them from a dirty tank and dont want the water fouling the new container, just decant the dirty water, the axolotl wont dry out as your doing the change very fast, the axolotls may panic the first few times you do this but once you've done it a few times the seem to stop getting stressed.

It's just an average course net that you buy for a few dollars at most pet stores. My axies are never in it for more than 5 seconds at a time and they don't wiggle much so I'm not really too concerned. They've never been damaged before from it.. If you really think it's that dangerous I'm happy to switch to the hand moving method? My guys are fine being handled so I don't mind. Whatever is best for them?

 

[xxianxx]

I wouldn't say that using a net is dangerous but there are potential risks to every method of moving axolotls, you have to determine which method is best for you and your pets.

 

[aeviette]

I started hand feeding Kitty a week or two ago and she got used to the big pink wriggly worms pretty quickly. She sometimes sits on my hand, and loves trying to eat my fingers, I guess this is probably the best way of getting them used to hands and making them realise you're not going to eat them.

 

[ACEPHONECHIC]

Think you my have got the idea wrong about my Axie handling. They are very gently lifted out each week and placed in the tub used whilst cleaning. Touch is gentle and short. I do not stand there petting my axies. It is always best to have whatever you own used to being handled as it is alot less stressful if for some reason they are un well or need to be caught to remove them from some danger.
A frightened animal is more likely to hurt itself.

 

[elninca]

I don't know if this is unusual, but whenever I'm bustling around the tank and cleaning the stones and things, Inca likes to come up for a scratch. She's rolled onto her side for me to give her a tickle and she nudges me for some attention if I'm not giving her a scratch.

I think that what acephonechick does with her axies when transporting them such a short distance is a good idea personally: I've noticed that Inca gets very confused and distressed when she's been in the net, where as she chills out when I've just lifted her out and into the bucket.

Maybe she's just wanting food, but I think she is more in it for the contact. She's also gotten into the habit of playing tug of war with the tweezers....? Anyone else's axie do that?

Something I've figured out: for all girls and guys who paint their nails - DO NOT PUT PAINTED NAILS IN THE WATER!!! Nail polish is partly acrylic, which means that it is water based, which means it can come off in the water and affect your Axie.

 

[iChris]

my monsters come up to investigate and when my hand is in the tank, they always come to check things out.

I think its just the way they are when they start to associate you with food.

as for the nail polish, I don't wear it (obviously!) but it's something to keep in mind if you do.

 

[hacelepues]

Maybe she's just wanting food, but I think she is more in it for the contact. She's also gotten into the habit of playing tug of war with the tweezers....? Anyone else's axie do that?

Mine do! Mostly my leucistic, Bowie. He's so aggressive when it comes to feeding! It's funny because they DON'T need to do it. I hold the pellets so lightly in the tweezers that all they have to do is open their mouth to suck it in, or just get the tip of the tweezers in their mouth and let go.

They do this often if I'm feeding them earlier in the morning. But when I'm feeding later in the day, they take the tweezers in their mouths and shake their heads back and forth! I used to be worried that it would injure them, but my tweezers are plastic and they seem to enjoy it so I just let them do their thing.