I have two juvenile axolotls and need help... thanks!

[AxolotlsForever]

Hello,
This is my first post on Caudata.org I've used this site over the past two months to research everything needed to take care of Juvenile Axolotls but I was hoping you could help me with some questions with conflicting information I've received.

I have a tank set up with a 10 gallon filter and I've used a clean wash cloth to soften the filter flow so it's not too much for the little guys. I have them split as the breeder advised for 6 months and I have a rock in each so they can take cover. I have two questions.
I was told by the breeder to only feed them 3 days per week and only about 12 to 15 blood worms per Axolotl and track how many they ate. Here on this site I've seen many posts stating to feed them every day and sometimes twice per day but there is the issue of health problems due to over feeding.

Can you let me know which is the correct answer?
Axolotl Food and Feeding

Also what is the best way to feed them. I tried to use a small bowl and then put the blood worms in the bowl with a baster but it doesn't work the blood worms just fly every where and the Axolols won't eat them even if it's right in front of them unless I had feed it to them with tweezers.

Is there an easier way to feed them?

I promise I'm in this for the long haul but I thought they would only need to be fed three times per week and the 10 gallon tank to have a 30% water change every 2 to 4 weeks.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I want to do right by these guys.
Thanks!

 

[Canecorsonewt]

Im coming over for a drink looks like you have enough for tonight lol.

I think when there young you need to feed daily. When they get older you can feed 2 or 3 times a week. When i see they found the food i give them about 15 minutes or when they walk/swim away, witch ever comes first then i suck out food.
Some one with experience with axolotl hopefully will give better advice. I used to feed my newts of tweezers but know i just drop it in and they eat. I would just put the food in the same spot intill they get used to it. I would try to get them to eat cut up night crawlers. They say just bloodworms are not healthy you could add high quality fish pellets to. You dont need to feed out of a dish bottom of aquarium is fine.

 

[michael]

I never separate unless their is a big difference in axolotl size. Bloodworms are o.k.but not nutritionally complete. I'd prefer to start with a sponge filter for small axolotls. Their are lots of ways to successfully keep axolotls.

 

[AxolotlsForever]

Thanks Cliff and Mike. This was great advice. We have the Axolotls right by our bar lol plenty to drink for Super Bowl lol. Sponge filter is a great idea. I will feed them daily and I need to find a good Axolotl pellet too. The shrimp pellets I bought are too big for them.
Thanks!

 

[AxolotlsForever]

I wanted to post an update. I now replaced my Aqueon quiet flow 10 gallon filter with a 20 gallon small sponge filter, I'm using a 10 gallon topfin air pump and my little guys are now coming out and swimming more instead of hiding under the rock all the time which is a good sign. It's funny though I can hold the air pump in my right hand and pick the sponge filter off of the bottom of the tank and I can still hear a very loud vibration. Any suggestions on how to calm the vibration?

 

[Canecorsonewt]

If your talking about a noise aire pump, you could place it on a spong or dish towel. I have my pump hanging from its wire in my aquarium stand, so it doesn't vibrat against anything.

 

[AxolotlsForever]

Thanks Cliff, I'll see if I can get a thick towel down. I began to notice that the water is getting cloudy with the new sponge filter. I believe the water was much clearer with the aqueon quiet flow 10 gallon filter. Did you run into the same issue? I've had the sponge filter for only 2-3 days so far (brand new)

 

[michael]

It will take a couple weeks for the filter to biologically balance. When the beneficial bacteria kick in the tank will be crystal clear. With a tank that size and the two small axolotls I would do about a 20% to 30% water change once a week until it balances. That should be enough to maintain decent water quality.

 

[AxolotlsForever]

Thanks so much, I was getting worried my little guys go #2 a lot so I was cleaning the tank every day but then I would get worried when I saw the cloudy water and I was doing a 20% to 30% water change every day. I'll leave it for a week like you said and then do the water change. I forgot about the good bacteria that's in there and how the tank has to adjust with the water and axolotls. I was actually taking them out of the tank to feed them cause when I drop food in they ignore the food and so I've had to hand feed them with tweezers and blood worms but hopefully they'll catch on and I can feed them in the tank.
Thanks!