Question: New - Any guidance?

[snuggly time]

Hi everyone :happy:

I bought my Axolotl, Wooper (original name for an axolotl, right?) on Monday. He's my first Axolotl so everything I do at the moment worries me, in case I'm getting it wrong lol. He isn't very large, only looks maybe a few months old. The tank has is 64 litres, no substrate, we have put some plastic plants in and small rocks.
So, here's a few questions I hope you can help with.

When I bought him from the shop, the assistant said to get his tank to 24°c. Everywhere I've read seems to say keep them between maybe 16°c and 20°c. So the tank is currently at about 19°c. She was feeding him once a day on live blood worm. However, I'm worried I might be overfeeding him now, since he's at a cooler temperature. Also, they are having problems stocking live blood worm, so he's eating frozen at the moment. I noticed the other day he didn't seem as interested in the food, so we had a no food day. How often should I be feeding a young axolotl? And what other food can I offer him?

I was told to clean the tank out once every two weeks with a 25% water change. However, I also think this is wrong? I noticed there's loads of blood worm still at the bottom of the tank. So I've started siphoning the worms out every day now, especially since my filter is not yet established. Should I be doing this every day?

Despite all the worries I'm really enjoying him, he's the cutest little creature ever! He doesn't seem to swim around much, just chills out at the bottom of the tank. I could just sit and watch him for hours, even when he's doing his usual nothing! Hehe :wacko:

Thanks

 

[Kaysie]

Earthworms are a much better staple food than bloodworms. They can be fed daily, as long as they're willing to eat and aren't too fat. Once they get to adult size, 3x a week is adequate.

You should definitely been cleaning out all the uneaten bloodworms every day, and doing much more than 25% every other week water changes. If your tank is on the small side, your ammonia is probably through the roof.

 

[sillymoogle7]

Apart from daily hooverings to clear up left over food I believe a weekly water change replacing about a quarter with fresh treated stuff is recommended. Also be careful about the small rocks, axies will try to eat anything that's the same size as their heads or smaller and can get serious tummy troubles from doing so.
Glad you're enjoying your new pet. I've had mine a year and a half and I never get tired of staring at them. They must think we're total weridos lol

 

[snuggly time]

Thanks, the rocks are larger than him, so they aren't a problem. :happy: