Question: Juvenile to Adult

[Hollystark]

My wildtype axie, Mulder (hatched Nov 30/Dec1) was sitting in his larvahood tank while I changed the water in his big one, and I noticed he had to curl to fit, so I measured him, and he's approaching 6 inches. He was a surprise addition to my house (my friend's axolotls hit breeding season earlier than she expected, before she could get them separate tanks) so I've been learning kind of on the fly.

I've found so much wonderful information here about raising eggs through to Juveniles, but not so much on things like when to switch to a bigger tank, etc.

He's currently in a 2 gallon plastic tank, 100% water changes every other day, feeding frozen bloodworm cubes, also every other day. I have a 10 gallon tank waiting, and I'm going to the pet store on Friday to start looking at filters and airstones, etc.

Any ideas on when I should switch him? Also, any recommendations on filters, plants, etc?

Sidenote :are the bloodworms okay to keep on feeding him? They're very easy for me to get, and feed, but I've seen a lot of people recommend earthworms (which, there's a bait shop a short drive from my college, would the ones they sell there work?)

Thank you so much, by the way. This is a wonderful forum and site, and everyone just seems so enthusiastic and friendly.

 

[Chirple]

I would switch ASAP, but I wouldn't do the 10g, I'd get a 20 long.

I had my axolotl in a 10g to start with, but upon hitting about 6 inches, I found it to be too cramped and switched to 20. It would save you money and work to just do the 20 now. I think she is about 8-9 inches as of now, but hard to measure.

While you could technically use the 10 gallon, I just feel it's not enough space for that size creature (and the amount of waste they produce). I could only fit in one hide, with the 20, there's two true hides and I have many plants that provide cover, too.

Ten Gallon Tank I started With (sand was too deep)

Tank Now

It's the same log hide in both - and RIGHT NOW she has gotten so big that she can't fit completely in that log - one end is always sticking out (to help you imagine the 10g with a bigger axolotl in it). She still likes swimming "laps" and at her size couldn't do that in a 10g. It also gives her tankmates room to hide from her (I have some ghost shrimp and they're doing well enough that they're breeding, and I recently introduced some self-bred juvenile guppies 3 of 7 are at least still there as well as a bunch of newborns from an adult that gave birth (I've since moved her back to the breeder tank)).


I have always used a sponge filter. I have many live plants - the important thing is to have proper lighting and nutrients.

 

[Dr0gr1n]

I agree that 10 gallon is too small. 20 gallon long would be great. Also at 6 inches it should be eating earth worms.