How NOT to set up an Axolotl tank!

[Jawdoss]

Http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/holland-park-west/fish/mexican-walking-fish-axolotl/1031549121

This person has created the tank for her Axolotl. Im not posting this to make people hate her, i am simply posting this so people know not to do something like this. Axies do not go on land like turtles (as seen in the picture) and if they do get forced to go onto the land, it can be very bad for them for long times.

ONCE AGAIN: I am not posting this for hate, just for peoples knowledge.

 

[emmyk]

I think they took it down I can't see it

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[HayleyK]

Wow did anyone notice that huge chunk missing from his tail? A lot of people are uneducated when it comes to keeping certain pets. Hopefully the axolotl doesn't even use it.

 

[Stout Leggings]

Wow did anyone notice that huge chunk missing from his tail? A lot of people are uneducated when it comes to keeping certain pets. Hopefully the axolotl doesn't even use it.

I think the tail just curls on that picture (looks like that to me). One of my axies had a curl on the top too, although it's less visible as she grew.

 

[HayleyK]

I think the tail just curls on that picture (looks like that to me). One of my axies had a curl on the top too, although it's less visible as she grew.

Looks like a big chunk is missing to me

 

[sde]

Yah to me it looks like a curl. Very bad setup.............it seems like a lot of people are clueless when it come to keeping axis, I hope I am wrong though.

 

[Kaysie]

I don't see what's so horrible, but the turtle dock is a total waste of money. Should've spent it on a hide instead. I've seen WAY worse setups.

The chunk missing looks like an old and mostly healed injury. It happens fairly often if you keep multiples together, and even with individuals kept alone who are klutzy and run into things. Tags like that are actually used to mark wild larval salamanders. We cut the tail fin with a pair of scissors. It doesn't affect their swimming at all.

 

[sde]

Nope, looked closer and it looks like a chunk is missing.

Sorry going to go off topic for a second.
I have heard of "clipping" a salamanders tail before, I have also heard of "clipping" a toe.
I read that the toe method does not work well because they just regenerate, so the animal assumes its original look, making it hard to tell if it is a different one or not. I have done a lot of research on "tagging" or "marking" the animal in some way so that it can be identified in the future. The best thing I have found is Visible Implant Elastomer Tags (VIE), but I have not bought any because of the expense and lack of experience with that kind of thing.

Ok back to the subject.
The reason I dislike the setup is because of the lack of hides, I think they should have plenty, just my opinion though.

-Seth

 

[Kaysie]

Toe and tail clips will grow back eventually, but in the wild regeneration is not as swift as it is in the well-fed, predator free comforts of captivity. A clipped tail is obviously only good for the season, as the larvae morph, but a clipped toe can usually be adequate for at least a year, if not longer.

Elastimer tagging should be left to professionals. It's difficult to tag small animals without injuring them, and it takes quite the fine touch with the syringe to leave just the right amount of elastimer.

 

[sde]

Yes, I understand.
I may do it in the future when I am more experienced. Is there any way that I could tag a terrestrial animal, with my zero tagging experience? Metal tags maybe?

 

[Kaysie]

Metal tags will be cumbersome. Try toe-clipping. Sharp scissors, pick a specific toe (3rd toe, back left, or whatever), and snip at the base of the foot.

 

[sde]

Thanks very much Kaysie! On a side note, do you have to treat it or something or just clip and let go?

 

[zombieaddict]

Why would anyone want to start cutting off little salamander toes unless they needed them for a witch's brew? D8

Couldn't help myself, had to throw that in there. Seriously though, what sort of project would call for getting scissor happy with the toes? It seems a little rough for the animal but if the ends justify the means I guess you have to do what has to be done.

 

[sde]

The reason is so that you know that you have caught the animal before.

And the thing is that it is a toe, its not going to effect them hardly at all, if any.
I really don't see why its that bad personally, and don't anybody say "how would you like it if I cut off your toe!"