Question: Whats the minimum tank size for an axo?

[WildDeku]

Well, I was planning on getting an axolotl (excuse me if I have poor grammar) and I wanted to know whats the minimum tank size for just one axolotl? Because I have read online articles saying you can keep an axolotl in a 10 gallon tank. But I want it to be clarified just in case. Because I don't want a poor salamander to die on me because of poorly given or bad information(misinformed) I also want to know if I can use "Wardley's Turtle Sticks" (the newest version also made for other aquatic amphibians and reptiles) or if there is a better one. Because I feed these to my frog and turtle and sometimes my wild fish like them. Also I want to know i have a heater but is it necessary? (I want to provide optimal health) Also does it need hiding places? I could get a cave or something or maybe a rock though I don't want it to get crushed by the pressure...would plants be better? Also I have heard as with fish it is good to keep aquatic plants in the tank because something about it giving off more oxygen and helping mature the water. Also for the water I thought amphibians did not like salt? some sites suggest using salt(aquarium kind). Also could i use biospira to age the water too? Is sand better than gravel? Is there anything such as black sand? Could it'd be used as the bottom? Also I will reveal my current location in hopes of a personal advice. Do they sell axolotls in New jersey? If so what is the best store in there with Axolotls? (I live in the north of new jersey in mount olive) any recommendations? Because, I am trying not to buy online. Because one does not know what they would get online. Also I do not want a sick axolotl so I really dont know if I should.... Not to mention my father would probably not allow me to do online buying because first off I'd need a credit card secondly he can be a bit untrusting. So please help me find some stores in New Jersey(us) near or in Mount Olive.(forgot to add) When giving me the tank size give it in gallons. As in 10 gallons, 20, 30 etc...
~Thank you~

 

[Jess]

It seems to be a pretty common belief that a 10 gallon is the absolute minimum size tank for one axie.

Of course, considering axies can grow to a considerable size (about 14 inches), a ten gallon may be a little cramped depending on the size your axie grows to.

 

[Jess]

I also think that it is illegal to keep axolotls in New Jersey. But I am not positive. Any one else know for certain?

 

[FredLikesNewts]

Yes you are right that amphibians do not like salt, so I do not think salt is necessary. A heater isnt necessary as they like cooler temperatures and do not use gravel that is large enough to be swallowed.

 

[blueberlin]

Hello and welcome to the Forum!

Tank size: The important thing is the length and width of the floor space. Although it is often written that the minimum length is 45 cm for 1 axolotl, I personally find this much too small as axolotls will eventually reach a length of around 35 cm - you can see the problem. Also, the more water an aqaurium holds, the more stable the environment will be - it will take that much longer for the water to turn toxic. The smaller the tank, the more often you will need to change its water.

Feeding: I honestly don't know about turtle sticks - don't they float? Axolotls are bottom feeders. Generally the only dried food that is acceptable are so-called salmon pellets. These are used to feed salmon and are nutirtious but fattening, so you have to be very careful not to overfeed. Similar pellets are also marketed specifically as axolotl pellets. You can find the salmon pellets at a feed store, you can ask your aquariumk shop whether they have or can order axolotl pellets, and you can look for both online.

Earthworms are an excellent food. You can find these in your own back yard (if the yard is not treated with fertilizers or pesticides), or at a bait and tackle shop. There are many other types of live foods you can use; these are often available at aquarium shops and more info is available here:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/foods.shtml
and here:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/worms.shtml
Nutritional info for some foods is here:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/foods2.shtml


Hiding places: Yes, an axolotl needs hiding places. You can use plants (live or plastic), PVC pipes, etc. - anything that is big enough for the axolotl to get inside.

Live plants: Although plants technically do help maintain water balance, you would need a lot of plants to make a difference. The trouble with live plants is that most need light and axolotls do not like light. Suitable plants would be, for example, Java moss and Java fern, both of which have low requiremets on light and temp. I also have hornwart growing quite successfully in an aquarium with indirect light form a nearby window:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratophyllum_demersum

Biospira: BioSpira contains starter bacteria used for speeding up the nitrification cycle of a new aquarium. Although many "starter bacteria" products are available, BioSpira is generally considered to be the only one that really works. Note, however, its purpose: It is intended to kick-start the cycle and is not, for example, a dechlorinator.

Sand/gravel: Gravel is bad because it is easy for an axolotl to swallow it (bottom feeders) but much more difficult for them to pass it. Sand is fine (little pun there). I have heard of black sand, red sand, all kinds of sand, but you will need to be sure that it is non-toxic.

Axolotls in New Jersey: You need to contact the New Jersey Department of Fish and Game ( http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ ). I took a quick look at their regulations and axolotls are not specifically forbidden under "Exotic Wildlife" but the4y have that lovely phrase "includes but is not limited to" - so you may just want to call to be safe. (List on Page 2 of the following document: )
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/permregs.pdf

There is a for sale section in this forum. You can check there for people with animals for sale:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65

Good luck,

-Eva

 

[WildDeku]

Hello and welcome to the Forum!

Tank size: The important thing is the length and width of the floor space. Although it is often written that the minimum length is 45 cm for 1 axolotl, I personally find this much too small as axolotls will eventually reach a length of around 35 cm - you can see the problem. Also, the more water an aqaurium holds, the more stable the environment will be - it will take that much longer for the water to turn toxic. The smaller the tank, the more often you will need to change its water.

Feeding: I honestly don't know about turtle sticks - don't they float? Axolotls are bottom feeders. Generally the only dried food that is acceptable are so-called salmon pellets. These are used to feed salmon and are nutirtious but fattening, so you have to be very careful not to overfeed. Similar pellets are also marketed specifically as axolotl pellets. You can find the salmon pellets at a feed store, you can ask your aquariumk shop whether they have or can order axolotl pellets, and you can look for both online.

Earthworms are an excellent food. You can find these in your own back yard (if the yard is not treated with fertilizers or pesticides), or at a bait and tackle shop. There are many other types of live foods you can use; these are often available at aquarium shops and more info is available here:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/foods.shtml
and here:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/worms.shtml
Nutritional info for some foods is here:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/foods2.shtml


Hiding places: Yes, an axolotl needs hiding places. You can use plants (live or plastic), PVC pipes, etc. - anything that is big enough for the axolotl to get inside.

Live plants: Although plants technically do help maintain water balance, you would need a lot of plants to make a difference. The trouble with live plants is that most need light and axolotls do not like light. Suitable plants would be, for example, Java moss and Java fern, both of which have low requiremets on light and temp. I also have hornwart growing quite successfully in an aquarium with indirect light form a nearby window:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratophyllum_demersum

Biospira: BioSpira contains starter bacteria used for speeding up the nitrification cycle of a new aquarium. Although many "starter bacteria" products are available, BioSpira is generally considered to be the only one that really works. Note, however, its purpose: It is intended to kick-start the cycle and is not, for example, a dechlorinator.

Sand/gravel: Gravel is bad because it is easy for an axolotl to swallow it (bottom feeders) but much more difficult for them to pass it. Sand is fine (little pun there). I have heard of black sand, red sand, all kinds of sand, but you will need to be sure that it is non-toxic.

Axolotls in New Jersey: You need to contact the New Jersey Department of Fish and Game ( http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ ). I took a quick look at their regulations and axolotls are not specifically forbidden under "Exotic Wildlife" but the4y have that lovely phrase "includes but is not limited to" - so you may just want to call to be safe. (List on Page 2 of the following document: )
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/permregs.pdf

There is a for sale section in this forum. You can check there for people with animals for sale:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65

Good luck,

-Eva

oh so like if persay xD i have a 40gallon tank (its extremely long) is that enough? :3 because i want to make it look like ok i want to put in some sort of stones and a waterfall maker so it does some sort of waterfall and i wanna put in some plants maybe a big fish or two(peacefull of course) and i thought of this because someone i know has captive three poison dart frogs so I was thinking how is it possible for him to have that while I cant have an axo? and I looked it up and its not illegal it is illegal to set it free due to it messes up the environment so yeah not to worry on that and the turtle sticks after a while in the water 15mins they get soft like so if you press em(depending how you do it) it wont crumble but it will just sink and i heard these are good for amphibians too and as for fatty foods i think maybe one goldfish a month would work well yes it is unhealthy to feed every day but as treat its alright (small one) and probably like food as well will do the trick but question is how active are these when adult? i know when juvenile their quite active but you know i just want to make sure

 

[Kaysie]

Axolotls and tiger salamanders are both forbidden to be kept in New Jersey.

 

[WildDeku]

Axolotls and tiger salamanders are both forbidden to be kept in New Jersey.

why? ived never read of such a law if so please point me to it so i wont make a mistake ><