Question: HELP! I just found out I have a tiger salamander and not an axolotl

[CrAwLTWKing]

So, I just joined this site and posted pics of my pet Crawl the Warrior King, and everyone jumped on saying how it was a Tiger and not an Axolotl. I am shocked, first of all. Cause I thought it was an axolotl, therefor I have been reading up on them and the housing and life span and what not. Now what do I do? I read some things on here about tiger salamanders, but I am still confused. I guess he( well now I dont know if its a he or she) is only a baby now and will morph later? Oh no dont know what I got myself into...right now I have had him for 2 months and when I bought him the guys said he was only a couple months old, but that he was a male axolotl with a tiger print. So how much longer do I have till he is "morphed" and how long do they live for. and how long/big is it gonna get. and do I need to take all the water out? or leave a little? I dont know what to do....
Any thoughts please help!
Thanks Christine

 

[shmifty5]

don't panic, it's not that uncommon for this kind of thing to happen (it happened to a friend of mine, lol), my friend just removed the water and used a sphagnum moss+coconut fibre+potting soil mixture for the substrate, he fed it mostly the same stuff with the addition of crickets and other inverts, for the water he just used a long tubberware container (like the banana-split style ones, long and shallow) and he filled it with treated water.

it stayed with him for 4 years before he had to give it up (issues, bleh), im not certain but i heard of one living for 20 years, my friends about 5 or 6 icnhes long, they might get bigger or maybe his was larger than normal.

here's the caresheet, Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tiger salamander

if it helps at all, my friend loved his tiger and when he did get an axolotl he told me that he liked the tiger better simply because he didn't have to worry about it as much as his axie.

i hope you have a great experience with your tiger and i hope you eventually get your axie (double trouble if ya know what i mean, lol).

 

[shmifty5]

oh, i almost forgot, his was a barred tiger and he had it for maybe 6 or 7 months before it lost its gills and he had to remove the water, i have no idea how old it was when he got it.

 

[CrAwLTWKing]

Thank you for your input! I needed it. The thing is i was up all night reading baout this and it seems more complicated to clean out the tank....instead of just filtering the water and water changes you would have to replace the whole amount of dirt weekly? Is this true thats alot of dirt! I am still kinda confused as to how to keep the tank clean and smell free if there is dirt in there and his waste.

 

[Shizeric]

Tiger Salamanders tend to burrow, so a substrate that allows this behavior is best. Coconut fiber is one of the best substrates for this, and should be changed every fews months, not weekly. Just make sure to remove waste and uneaten food and there shouldn't be any odor issues.

"More natural substrates include moist topsoil, coconut fiber bedding, or commercially available "forest floor" soil mixes. Soil should be changed every one to two months, and feces removed daily. "

 

[CrAwLTWKing]

ok thanks...what about sand? also I read that you are not suppose to handle them, yet I see all these pics of them in peoples hands.
Sorry to be a pain, but I appreciate your help! :wacko:

 

[Azhael]

Sand is not suitable. Although a small amount mixed with the soil is not a bad idea.

You are right, you really should avoid handling a salamander unless absolutely unavoidable. Their skin is very permeable and offers little protection, so it´s easily harmed. Contact stresses them and is potentially dangerous. IF you ever have to handle it....make sure you have no creams or products on your hands and only touch it with your hands wet.

 

[CrAwLTWKing]

ok thanks. but I have had him for two motnths and when I bought him the guys said he was a couple months old....So if he is morphing now...how long does that process take? and is there some tht dont morph all the way? Like if he is a hybrid or subspecies? Could I be waiting for a long time? Right now I just have all water but with two big platform rocks so he can get out if he wants. Is this ok until his gills disappear? Or if they dont completly disappear, is it ok to keep the water as is with a dry area?
Thanks for all of everyone's thoughts!

 

[shmifty5]

if your tiger doesn't morph then he is neotenic, in which case he should be cared for in a very similiar way as axies, if he is neotenic then any dry areas are unneeded. if he isn't neotenic then all he needs is a way he can escape the water when he loses his gills and there really shouldn't be anything to worry about.

im not sure as to the specifics of how long it takes for them to morph, but with most creatures it probably varies based on several factors, such as water temp, water conditions, diet, etc, although it can't imagine it would take him longer than a month or 2 to completely lose his gills and become a land-dwelling critter.

personally i would use a ramp-type structure instead of platform rocks, i just think it would be easier for the animal to escape the water if it is done so on a slow incline instead of a swim to the top, that's just my opinion tho (as a newb), im sure a more qualified member will be able to provide some better tips and information.

 

[CrAwLTWKing]

thanks....i was reading about tiger salamanders that were bred with axolotls and maybe this is what mine is...I am not sure of course, but i dont see signs of morphing. He's back down to the botton of the tank and still eating just fine, and his gills look longer and more hairy (probably not the right word to use)
the two rock things i have in there are both at an angle like a ramp, half in the water and half out, and one is at an angle in the corner with just the bottom in the water....so he has plenty of options to climb out, or walk out.

 

[Kaysie]

Tigers can take rarely take more than 1 year to morph. If it's habitat is adequate and food is plentiful, it may not morph right away. In the wild, morphing is usually triggered by rising temperatures and falling water levels in vernal ponds.

I HIGHLY doubt your tiger is a hybrid with an axolotl. This pairing is not common, especially in the US.