Photo: The Mama

[Cheylee]

My axolotls just recently had babies but i really want to upload some picture of the mom. The dad will have pictures too. Anyways, her name is Nubby and that is because of when i got her she was missing her front right foot, but it grew back and she is very healthy and happy.

 

[Morrison]

Aww looks like a big smile on the last picture

 

[mewsie]

I was about to say that exact same thing, Morrison! Lovely smiley face

So, congratulations Mama Nubby!

Ps: Your gravel looks like it is of a size Nubby could eat and become very sick. Sand, slate, or a bare tank bottom would be more suitable. Lots of axolotls end up seriously ill or dying as a result of ingesting rocks and gravel.

 

[Kaysie]

I have to mention: the gravel you have in the tank is a dangerous size. Gravel ingestion can lead to impaction and death. You really should change to a more appropriate substrate.

 

[Cheylee]

I had sand in there origanaly but my tank was always murky so i changed it to gravel. I also monitor when they eat. I feed them using a big pair of feeding tweezers. They look up for food and i have yet to have either one of them eat the gravel.

 

[Kaysie]

You don't watch them 24/7. I can't begin to count the number of people who have said "I don't see them eat gravel" and then post 3 weeks later that their axolotl has an impaction.

 

[Cheylee]

Ok. I'll change back to sand. Would aquarium sand work well?

 

[Joanne]

You can use aquarium sand but a way cheaper option is childs play sand. It'll cost you probably $5 for 20kg, you can get it at Lowes or similar hardware/gardening store

 

[Cheylee]

Ok. Just as long as i rinse it out well right?

 

[Shizeric]

Not just "well"...keep rinsing until you would rather chop off your own hand than keep rinsing. When you are at that point you are about half way done.

But seriously just keep rinsing and stirring the sand in a bucket/tub until the water pouring out is clear.

 

[Cheylee]

Ok. I will rinse it out really well. I'll see if i can find a hose around here somewhere that isn't frozen. Haha I think that will be my project on Sunday. It's my day off and i'll have more money.

 

[Erzs]

That is an absolutely gorgeous coloured axolotl!

 

[Cheylee]

Thank you. I certainly think the same thing.

 

[Kaysie]

She's melanoid, right? She's a looker. How long is she?

 

[Cheylee]

Yes, she is a melaniod. Last time i measured her she was around 8 inches.

 

[Cheylee]

I added sand to the tank. It looks much better. I will upload a picture of the full tank later. This is Nubby again. Is it possible for black Axolotls, like her, to have Purple gills? Under proper lighting they actually look like a dark purple.

 

[mewsie]

yawwwww.... shes lovely!

Good work on swapping over to sand btw. And yeah, purple gills are the colours of the dark of the pigment and the red of the blood 'mixing' together. Gorgeous