Sand is BAD for small axolotl?!

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Kaiiak

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Hi all! I am getting closer to getting my axolotl, tank is mid-cycle I believe. Regardless, most breeders I’m researching are selling axolotl between 2.5 - 4” & I just now hearing that sand is dangerous for them at this size? Why is it dangerous? Do I have to cover it until they are larger? I read that gravel was a big no no & that sand was good... now I feel misled. What is the truth? & if anyone has experience with purchasing/homing two axolotl together (50 gal tank) I’m worried about getting a male & female accidentally & having a baby axolotl issue! They have to be older to know the sex, correct? Thanks guys!
 
Kaiiak said:
Hi all! I am getting closer to getting my axolotl, tank is mid-cycle I believe. Regardless, most breeders I’m researching are selling axolotl between 2.5 - 4” & I just now hearing that sand is dangerous for them at this size? Why is it dangerous? Do I have to cover it until they are larger? I read that gravel was a big no no & that sand was good... now I feel misled. What is the truth? & if anyone has experience with purchasing/homing two axolotl together (50 gal tank) I’m worried about getting a male & female accidentally & having a baby axolotl issue! They have to be older to know the sex, correct? Thanks guys!
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Hello, I am glad you are reaching out and asking this question because it is a common mistake among new axie parents. Axolotls should not be housed on any substrate until they are at least 6 inches long. You are correct that gravel is a huge no-no. Very fine sand is ok as they get older, but axolotls tend to accidentally eat their substrate. This can cause serious, if not fatal, impaction in smaller axololts. The sand should be removed completely and the bottom left bare until your axololts are at least 6 inches in length and have been transitioned to eating earthworms.

As far as housing 2 axololts together, you generally cannot tell gender until they at least 9 months old. Some males start to show a little sooner, but females can be deceiving. It can take anywhere for 12-18 months to be completely sure and even then sometimes not until a female has laid eggs.
 
Oh god. I’m guessing that means I’ll have to start my entire cycle over 😭😩
 
Kaiiak said:
Oh god. I’m guessing that means I’ll have to start my entire cycle over 😭😩
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. Most of your benefitical bacteria is housed in your filter anyway. Sometimes removing sand can even improve water quality because there is nowhere for ammonia producing waste/food to get buried or hidden
 
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