Sand or substrate at what age for a baby axie?

[dad of axle]

Hello sorry if this question has already been asked, I have a three month old axolotl in a 3ft long tank, The place where i bought it from six weeks ago advised me not to put anything on the base on the tank because the baby axolotls find it difficult to find food at first. THey also said that yougn axolotlos have a habit of eating the sand or small pebbles.

So i am wondering whether my axolotl is old enough now to adjust to something like sand or river stones, and should i put a small terrcota pot in there to place his food in?
so that he learns to go to one spot for food.

Another person suggested it is a good idea to train my axolotl to eat from my hand? is it ok to do this?

thanks form a beginner in the world of axolotl parenting
dad of axle

 

[Kaysie]

I don't use any substrate with my juvies until they're ~10cm.

You definitely don't want any substrate that is small enough to be eaten, but large enough to become lodged in the intestine. With adults, this is gravel/pebbles, but small axolotls obviously have a smaller intestine so even particles as small as sand, which is appropriate for adults, may be dangerous for larvae or juveniles.

 

[dad of axle]

Thank you for your response, my axololtl is only 3 months old but about 15 cm long - so probably still a juvenile. I might wait a bit longer before i intoriduce sand to the tank based on what you have written and the posts on the other threads . thanks so much