I was advised that pebbles are a-okay!

[Scarlette]

Hello! I'm new here, and have had my axolotls for only a few weeks.

I have pebbles in my tank, which I was a little unsure about as I've heard they can be swallowed. However the people at the pet shop advised me that it's very normal for the axolotls to eat pebbles, and contrary to what I've read all over the place, swallowing the pebbles actually helps them to digest, and gives them some weight so it's easier for them to remain on the bottom of the tank.

Do you think there is any truth to this? I'm a bit worried, and I'll probably switch to sand anyways, but I understand that lots of animals - especially water creatures - do actually benefit from swallowing stones.

 

[Saspotato]

:uhoh: The people in that pet store have absolutely no idea about axolotls. You cannot have stones in your tank that can fit in your axie's mouth (and they have pretty big mouths so if you want pebbles they need to be very large).

When an axolotl swallows pebbles it is stressful for them as it can cause an impaction, which can lead to death. When (or if) they manage pass the stones later on it is painful for them and can lead to a prolapse. I would go back to the petstore and tell them they have no idea and educate them on the problems with a pebble substrate. You should remove them as soon as possible and change it to sand or a bare floor.

 

[Jacquie]

Hello! I'm new here, and have had my axolotls for only a few weeks..

Welcome Scarlette,

I have pebbles in my tank, which I was a little unsure about as I've heard they can be swallowed. However the people at the pet shop advised me that it's very normal for the axolotls to eat pebbles, and contrary to what I've read all over the place, swallowing the pebbles actually helps them to digest, and gives them some weight so it's easier for them to remain on the bottom of the tank..

The pet store is very much in error. Gravel is deadly to an axolotl as if swallowed can cause the axolotl to become impacted and if the axolotl can not pass the stone, this can cause death.

A happy healthy axolotl certainly stays down the bottom of the tank, but it does not need the weight of gravel to do this! It's often gravel impaction that will actually cause an axolotl to float which is an indication of ill health.

I think you should switch to sand yes. Childrens Play sand is the best as it has been sterilized for use by children, or pool filter sand or fresh water aquarium sand sold at aquariums. Do not use Beach sand or marine sand.

 

[Terri9967]

Don't forget when using sand to rinse it first!

 

[benw]

hi

When i kept axolotls a few years back,( i ended up with several hundred!!) i , as said before kept them on childrens play sand,well washed beforehand, as said, as its surpringly dirty, i seemed to remember using silica sand too as it had a neutral pH.

The good thing about the sand was that the muck and debris gathered in one place and was easy to syphon off.

The only thing you need to do is give it a stir every once in a while, especially if you have more tha a couple of inches (50mm) depth as gas pockets seemed to develop.

Food was found by the axolotls with ease too, and any sand they got in the mouth they puffed out.

Ben

 

[inkozana]

It is true that some animals benefit from swallowing pebbles, but for Axolotls swallowing pebbles can cause very serious problems.
The main reason amphibians swallow pebbles (purposefully) is to weigh them down in the water (example; crocodiles and alligators) this is unecessary for Axolotls as do not have large distances to cover to get air from the surface/they do not need to hide from predators/do not need to sneak up on their prey. Sand is the best substrate.

 

[oregon newt]

I would think that the main reason for [crocodilians] swallowing stones and pebbles is because it helps to break up food in the stomach.

 

[inkozana]

Sorry, I shouldn't've said MAIN reason.

 

[ianclick]

Hi Scarlette and welcome to the site,

Maybe you could go back to the pet store and direct them here. Then they can get the right advice to new axie owners.

 

[Scarlette]

Thanks for the help. I figured I'd get that response and I am in the process of switching to sand, but I was really hoping someone would know a bit more about it on a biological level.

I know it's common for fish and birds to swallow pebbles to aid digestion, and this is the first time I've heard of a creature that does this for no reason whatsoever, and although it is lethal to them. I wonder what it is about axies that makes them do it... they are unconventional dudes!

I'm starting a Science degree and I'm starting to get interested in researching these little guys.

 

[Saspotato]

Ok I understand now why you are confused. Axolotls don't *deliberately* ingest pebbles, they just have big mouths and gulp at stuff so often accidentally eat them when they are sniffing out food on the ground. It does not help that they have poor eye sight. My axie eats heaps of sand finding pellets as he seems to do hunt them out via smell. Sometimes he spits it out, sometimes he is too greedy and swallows his food + sand too quick

It isn't necessarily lethal too, but it isn't pleasant for them and can cause floating, impaction, prolapse, and yes, death on occasion too. Often people need to put their axies in the fridge to help them pass the pebbles.

 

[Scarlette]

Oh, that makes sense... the poor guys, someone needs to show them a thing or two about what not to eat! Thanks for the info!