Axolotl setup questions!

so I did a quick run to the pet store to get some bloodworms and carnivore sinking pellets, but then got a few extras as you never get what you come in for at the pet store!
I grabbed a mesh lid for the top instead of having the glass tank lid, a few artificial plants , and a new air stone and tubing! I think it’s finished now! Let’s hope Baymax likes it!

 

How utterly adorable! I wish I could keep one, but it's just so insanely hot around here, I can't get my tanks under 80 degrees. Sigh. Supposedly, they can still be occasionally found under the City of Mexico, but the wild ones are very dull looking compared to the gorgeous color varieties of the domesticated ones.

 

This makes me want one!

Congrats on the new guy!

 

Baymax is adorable! Congrats! I just got my first two axies a few days ago. They're so darn cute.

As for food, I am going to try to get mine into pellets eventually, but for now I just give them a variety to see what they like. I can't tell how big Baymax is, but my two (Hiccup and Toothless) are about 3 inches, so they're still babies. They both like bloodworms wo far, and Toothless LOVES mysis shrimp. He is the least active of the two, but when he sees a shrimp in front of him he goes crazy! Haha

Don't worry about the pellets for a while, from what I've read, they generally aren't into them until they're older. Good luck with Baymax!

*here are my guys, just because

 

How utterly adorable! I wish I could keep one, but it's just so insanely hot around here, I can't get my tanks under 80 degrees. Sigh. Supposedly, they can still be occasionally found under the City of Mexico, but the wild ones are very dull looking compared to the gorgeous color varieties of the domesticated ones.

Did you ever try keeping water that cold? I never did until wanting to get an axolotl and yes, it was difficult, but with a fan and the AC always on, it’s doable! My tank sits at 66 right now and rn it’s super hot outside. So don’t be discouraged if you never tried! Baymax is giving me so much joy and it’s only been one day!
That would be amazing if they were making a comeback into the wild!

This makes me want one!

Congrats on the new guy!

Thanks so much! They’re such a joy! Unlike anything I’ve ever owned! He has such personality!

Baymax is adorable! Congrats! I just got my first two axies a few days ago. They're so darn cute.

As for food, I am going to try to get mine into pellets eventually, but for now I just give them a variety to see what they like. I can't tell how big Baymax is, but my two (Hiccup and Toothless) are about 3 inches, so they're still babies. They both like bloodworms wo far, and Toothless LOVES mysis shrimp. He is the least active of the two, but when he sees a shrimp in front of him he goes crazy! Haha

Don't worry about the pellets for a while, from what I've read, they generally aren't into them until they're older. Good luck with Baymax!

*here are my guys, just because
View attachment 459359 View attachment 459360

Thanks so much! Baymax seems to be around 5 inches ! He’s so cute and happy! I’ve never been so happy for a pet until now!
I tried blood worms but mine just floated when I tried to let them drop but maybe tomorrow I’ll try using tongs to place them in. I’m also going to check the parameters and see if he put the tank into a poop city and overload it with ammonia! If it’s high I plan on doing a small water change to just reduce the ammonia bc last thing I want is ammonI burn! Your axolotls are adorable! I really want to get another one for the tank, specifically a melanoid type or axanthic!

 

Did you ever try keeping water that cold? I never did until wanting to get an axolotl and yes, it was difficult, but with a fan and the AC always on, it’s doable! My tank sits at 66 right now and rn it’s super hot outside. So don’t be discouraged if you never tried! Baymax is giving me so much joy and it’s only been one day!
That would be amazing if they were making a comeback into the wild!

Thanks so much! They’re such a joy! Unlike anything I’ve ever owned! He has such personality!

Thanks so much! Baymax seems to be around 5 inches ! He’s so cute and happy! I’ve never been so happy for a pet until now!
I tried blood worms but mine just floated when I tried to let them drop but maybe tomorrow I’ll try using tongs to place them in. I’m also going to check the parameters and see if he put the tank into a poop city and overload it with ammonia! If it’s high I plan on doing a small water change to just reduce the ammonia bc last thing I want is ammonI burn! Your axolotls are adorable! I really want to get another one for the tank, specifically a melanoid type or axanthic!

Do you use freeze dried? Those never sink, they suck. Haha

I usually put a cube of frozen bloodworms in a plastic cup with a little bit of their tank water to thaw. Once they thaw, they'll fall apart and sink. Or you can use the tongs. My guys are still completely oblivious to food that doesn't wiggle a bit, so I take them out of the 20 long and put them in a little Tupperware container to feed them. And since they can't eat a whole cube yet, the extra bloodworms or mysis shrimp go into my pea puffer tank!

 

Do you use freeze dried? Those never sink, they suck. Haha

I usually put a cube of frozen bloodworms in a plastic cup with a little bit of their tank water to thaw. Once they thaw, they'll fall apart and sink. Or you can use the tongs. My guys are still completely oblivious to food that doesn't wiggle a bit, so I take them out of the 20 long and put them in a little Tupperware container to feed them. And since they can't eat a whole cube yet, the extra bloodworms or mysis shrimp go into my pea puffer tank!

That makes sense now , ugh I’m and idiot! They’re freeze dried so I guess that was a waste of money.... I’m gonna try a small cut up worm again today and then try the pellets. Also, heard bloodworms are ridiculously messy!

How do you scoop them out? Bc I don’t want to use the net bc that could hurt his gills.

Also does your tank have an air stone bc I just added one and Baymax loves it! He goes and floats by it and swims through the bubbles! He’s been very active so far!

 

Very nice! They are very neat creatures always interested in them. Love what you did with your tank.

 

Very nice! They are very neat creatures always interested in them. Love what you did with your tank.

Thanks so much! Hope he loves it! What creatures in your profile!? Is it aquatic or is that just sand on the bottom ?

 

That makes sense now , ugh I’m and idiot! They’re freeze dried so I guess that was a waste of money.... I’m gonna try a small cut up worm again today and then try the pellets. Also, heard bloodworms are ridiculously messy!

How do you scoop them out? Bc I don’t want to use the net bc that could hurt his gills.

Also does your tank have an air stone bc I just added one and Baymax loves it! He goes and floats by it and swims through the bubbles! He’s been very active so far!

I just scoop them up in my hand for now since they're so tiny. They're starting to figure out that my hand in the tank means they're getting food! Haha

Bloodworms can be messy, which is part of the reason I feed them outside their tank. Once they get bigger and better at hunting, they should be able to find them all in the tank. The nice thing about the cubes though, is that you can cut them in half or quarters and just take what you want at each feeding.

I need to get another small air pump for their air stone, I ended up using the last spare I had for their sponge filter.

 

I just scoop them up in my hand for now since they're so tiny. They're starting to figure out that my hand in the tank means they're getting food! Haha

Bloodworms can be messy, which is part of the reason I feed them outside their tank. Once they get bigger and better at hunting, they should be able to find them all in the tank. The nice thing about the cubes though, is that you can cut them in half or quarters and just take what you want at each feeding.

I need to get another small air pump for their air stone, I ended up using the last spare I had for their sponge filter.

I’m too scared to scoop them in fear I’ll hurt him, but I may try that later on! I got him to eat today before I left for work! He sucked in the worm and spat it out but then he sucked it back in again and ate it this time! Now he’s just laying on a plant at the top of the tank... I hope he’s just chilling and not sick

I’m using the air stone to counteract the HOB filter flow, even though there’s not much of a flow!

 

I’m too scared to scoop them in fear I’ll hurt him, but I may try that later on! I got him to eat today before I left for work! He sucked in the worm and spat it out but then he sucked it back in again and ate it this time! Now he’s just laying on a plant at the top of the tank... I hope he’s just chilling and not sick

I’m using the air stone to counteract the HOB filter flow, even though there’s not much of a flow!

I was more worried about their gills catching in a net than I am about scooping them up. They're still small enough that I can close my hand around them without squishing them lol

Glad to hear he ate! I have heard some people suggest cutting the earthworms in half lengthwise as well, because they can be too thick for the babies to swallow. Maybe that would help?

 

That's a super adorable axolotl you got there!

If your axolotl is spitting earthworms out, they very well may be too long, or too thick for it to swallow. Nightcrawlers were too thick for my 6-7 inch long axie. I had to switch to red wigglers. Maybe after it grows another few inches we will try nightcrawlers again. If it's spitting out the worm at every meal, this is a problem you need to address. If it's only every once in a while that's fine, but if it's every feeding, or nearly every feeding, that's a problem.

 

I was more worried about their gills catching in a net than I am about scooping them up. They're still small enough that I can close my hand around them without squishing them lol

Glad to hear he ate! I have heard some people suggest cutting the earthworms in half lengthwise as well, because they can be too thick for the babies to swallow. Maybe that would help?

That’s a good idea! I’ll try that maybe!

That's a super adorable axolotl you got there!

If your axolotl is spitting earthworms out, they very well may be too long, or too thick for it to swallow. Nightcrawlers were too thick for my 6-7 inch long axie. I had to switch to red wigglers. Maybe after it grows another few inches we will try nightcrawlers again. If it's spitting out the worm at every meal, this is a problem you need to address. If it's only every once in a while that's fine, but if it's every feeding, or nearly every feeding, that's a problem.

It may be too thick for him, so I’ll try cut it in half thickness wise as well as length and try feeding .
I only fed him twice so far and he spit them out both... so I’ll try again and if he spits out again does that mean he’s sick?

 

That’s a good idea! I’ll try that maybe!

It may be too thick for him, so I’ll try cut it in half thickness wise as well as length and try feeding .
I only fed him twice so far and he spit them out both... so I’ll try again and if he spits out again does that mean he’s sick?

No, it likely just means the food is too big for him and he's having trouble with it. Mine sometimes take more than one try to eat a single small bloodworm.

You may have to try different foods. Bloodworms, mysis or brine shrimp, red wigglers, black worms... anything small should be easier.

 

No, it likely just means the food is too big for him and he's having trouble with it. Mine sometimes take more than one try to eat a single small bloodworm.

You may have to try different foods. Bloodworms, mysis or brine shrimp, red wigglers, black worms... anything small should be easier.

okay thanks for the update! I fed him tonight and tried pellets... nothing. Dug up a worm with all the rain happening in PA and cut a small piece and he showed interest and when I dropped it bc I thought he would suck it in, nothing! so then I was like let’s try another piece and he sucked it in but hen spat it out. He then kept sucking it in and out until he finally downed the one piece. Then a few minutes later, he downed the piece dropped before which surprised me!

Idk why but I always worry that he’s stressed bc I’ll think everything is a bent tail, but for that it’s just the tip of the tail correct? He’s not stressed if his tail is slightly curved right?

Also, does your axies sit in the strangest places bc I found Baymax head down in the back next to the tile with his head in the corner... is this normal behavior?

 

okay thanks for the update! I fed him tonight and tried pellets... nothing. Dug up a worm with all the rain happening in PA and cut a small piece and he showed interest and when I dropped it bc I thought he would suck it in, nothing! so then I was like let’s try another piece and he sucked it in but hen spat it out. He then kept sucking it in and out until he finally downed the one piece. Then a few minutes later, he downed the piece dropped before which surprised me!

Idk why but I always worry that he’s stressed bc I’ll think everything is a bent tail, but for that it’s just the tip of the tail correct? He’s not stressed if his tail is slightly curved right?

Also, does your axies sit in the strangest places bc I found Baymax head down in the back next to the tile with his head in the corner... is this normal behavior?

Yeah, they are little weirdos. Haha Also, if he was head down with his butt floating, he probably just had to poop. Mine just chill on, under, or next to whatever they happen to be around at the moment.

I still think he is probably too young/small for earthworms. And pellets likely won't be interesting until he's older and starts to recognize food more by smell.

 

Yeah, they are little weirdos. Haha Also, if he was head down with his butt floating, he probably just had to poop. Mine just chill on, under, or next to whatever they happen to be around at the moment.

I still think he is probably too young/small for earthworms. And pellets likely won't be interesting until he's older and starts to recognize food more by smell.

This may sound weird but I feel he understands me! Like after he spit out the worm I was standing in front of the tank looking at him and saying EAT EAT EAT and pointed to the worm and then he ate it!

I plan on testing the water tomorrow to check how things are. How long should one wait until the frost water change with him being new to the tank as I don’t want to stress him out but don’t want him to get ammonia burn if there’s a lot in there?

 

If you've only had him for a couple of days he may just still be too freaked out from moving into his new home to eat. Mine took over a week to really settle in and start eating. Now as soon as I approach the tank she comes to the glass, staring right at me, and then swims to the top like "you got food, right?" and she eats (or tries to eat) anything I put in front of her, including the siphon hose, or my fingers. BTW, getting bitten doesn't hurt, it feels like getting your finger stuck in a suction cup.

If the temperature is too high, that could affect the appetite as well. But I think I read you're keeping it around 66 degrees F, right? If that is the temp then that isn't the problem, but if it's 70 or higher, then that could be a factor.

As for a staple diet, if you're buying from a chain pet store, ask if they have red wigglers. If you're in the US, I know for a fact PetCo sells them because that's where I buy them, they're in blue containers that look like this:


They're in the minI fridge in the reptile aisle.

I also do suggest frozen bloodworms. They're not just for baby axolotls, and mine readily took them when she was spitting out earthworms. I still feed them to her on occasion, but I use red wigglers as a staple diet. If you scatter them on the tank floor, the axie will "hunt" for them by smell. Yes, it's "messy" at first, but my axie eventually eats every bite. Here's a video of my axolotl eating bloodworms. She's around 7 inches right now. At her current size, a full frozen bloodworm cube (thawed of course) is a complete meal. But what you are seeing in the video is only about 1/4 of a cube, because it's a treat.

 

If you've only had him for a couple of days he may just still be too freaked out from moving into his new home to eat. Mine took over a week to really settle in and start eating. Now as soon as I approach the tank she comes to the glass, staring right at me, and then swims to the top like "you got food, right?" and she eats (or tries to eat) anything I put in front of her, including the siphon hose, or my fingers. BTW, getting bitten doesn't hurt, it feels like getting your finger stuck in a suction cup.

If the temperature is too high, that could affect the appetite as well. But I think I read you're keeping it around 66 degrees F, right? If that is the temp then that isn't the problem, but if it's 70 or higher, then that could be a factor.

As for a staple diet, if you're buying from a chain pet store, ask if they have red wigglers. If you're in the US, I know for a fact PetCo sells them because that's where I buy them, they're in blue containers that look like this:
View attachment 459722
They're in the minI fridge in the reptile aisle.

I also do suggest frozen bloodworms. They're not just for baby axolotls, and mine readily took them when she was spitting out earthworms. I still feed them to her on occasion, but I use red wigglers as a staple diet. If you scatter them on the tank floor, the axie will "hunt" for them by smell. Yes, it's "messy" at first, but my axie eventually eats every bite. Here's a video of my axolotl eating bloodworms. She's around 7 inches right now. At her current size, a full frozen bloodworm cube (thawed of course) is a complete meal. But what you are seeing in the video is only about 1/4 of a cube, because it's a treat.

Yeah he moved in on Tuesday so it’s only been like two days! I’m too scared to put my whole hand in there in the event I flinched and smack something! Lol!

Yeah temp is at 65 degrees rn so I think that’s not the problem!

I didn’t know petco sells worms so I’ll have to check that out, but are bait shops okay to use or no?

I have dry bloodworms and they just float so maybe I’ll try frozen bloodworms!

 

Bait shops are fine as far as quality of the worm goes, but they might not have red wigglers and certainly won't have frozen bloodworms.

 

Bait shops are fine as far as quality of the worm goes, but they might not have red wigglers and certainly won't have frozen bloodworms.

Since I work till 7, I’ll have to just get them after work tomorrow when it’s my early day. Thanks for letting me know!

Next to my tank is a standard lamp shade... will this hurt him if I put it on frequently or is it only direct light on top of him?

Does this mean he stressed or is it him just positioning his body?

 

A lamp is fine, but axolotl's don't like a lot of bright light in their eyes. If you can only turn the light on when you want to view the animal, that would be ideal, or to get a lamp that is really dI'm in comparison to a normal fish tank lamp. Don't leave a lamp on all the time, that will stress it.

As for your photo, I see the tail is curled, but it may have just landed that way? I know tail curling is a sign of stress, but that's like, if the tail is staying curled. If the tail just happens to curl from the axolotl's movements, that's no cause for alarm. If it's keeping it curled all the time, then maybe he's stressed. But honestly, since you've only had this axie for a few days, it being a little stressed right now is probably normal. Like I said before, mine took over a week to settle in. There was a noticeable difference in my axie's behavior after it settled in and became comfortable in the tank. And I spent the first week obsessively thinking something was wrong with my axie.

 

A lamp is fine, but axolotl's don't like a lot of bright light in their eyes. If you can only turn the light on when you want to view the animal, that would be ideal, or to get a lamp that is really dI'm in comparison to a normal fish tank lamp. Don't leave a lamp on all the time, that will stress it.

As for your photo, I see the tail is curled, but it may have just landed that way? I know tail curling is a sign of stress, but that's like, if the tail is staying curled. If the tail just happens to curl from the axolotl's movements, that's no cause for alarm. If it's keeping it curled all the time, then maybe he's stressed. But honestly, since you've only had this axie for a few days, it being a little stressed right now is probably normal. Like I said before, mine took over a week to settle in. There was a noticeable difference in my axie's behavior after it settled in and became comfortable in the tank. And I spent the first week obsessively thinking something was wrong with my axie.

It’s just so scary when you invest in something and don’t know how he feels rn! It’s not like a hamster or guinea pig, bc unlike axolotls, they live in the same air we do.

Do you remember when you did your first water change with yours?

He seems to be hanging up top a lot...

 

It’s just so scary when you invest in something and don’t know how he feels rn! It’s not like a hamster or guinea pig, bc unlike axolotls, they live in the same air we do.

Do you remember when you did your first water change with yours?

I do a water change every weekend. It's normal for them to hang out in all kinds of weird places like that. Sometimes kind of half floating. That's normal axolotl silliness.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was looking into getting an Anxolt a while ago and my research said that they require a larger tank as Anxolt's can reach up to 11 inches. They prefer longer tanks rather then tall because they usually walk rather then swim (they still do swim). I read that at bare minimum they need a two foot long tank for a single adult but the more space the better. Do you have plans to get a larger tank when it reaches maturity? Especially if you were thinking about getting second?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was looking into getting an Anxolt a while ago and my research said that they require a larger tank as Anxolt's can reach up to 11 inches. They prefer longer tanks rather then tall because they usually walk rather then swim (they still do swim). I read that at bare minimum they need a two foot long tank for a single adult but the more space the better. Do you have plans to get a larger tank when it reaches maturity? Especially if you were thinking about getting second?

You're right they can reach up to 11 inches long, and do prefer longer tanks. A 20 gallon high is exactly two feet long. A 20 gallon long is preferred over a 20 gallon high, but a 20 gallon high is still acceptable. 10 gallons is the minimum tank size for a juvenile. And there are people who keep single adults in 10 gallons, which I don't think is enough room but whoever the authority is on deciding minimum tank sizes seems to disagree with me on that. I do agree that if the OP intends to get another axolotl they should get a larger tank. And in that case, I would not recommend a 20 long, I would recommend a 40 gallon breeder.

 

You're right they can reach up to 11 inches long, and do prefer longer tanks. A 20 gallon high is exactly two feet long. A 20 gallon long is preferred over a 20 gallon high, but a 20 gallon high is still acceptable. 10 gallons is the minimum tank size for a juvenile. And there are people who keep single adults in 10 gallons, which I don't think is enough room but whoever the authority is on deciding minimum tank sizes seems to disagree with me on that. I do agree that if the OP intends to get another axolotl they should get a larger tank. And in that case, I would not recommend a 20 long, I would recommend a 40 gallon breeder.

Thank you for clearing that up for me I didn't think 20 highs were that long, you learn something new everyday lol

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was looking into getting an Anxolt a while ago and my research said that they require a larger tank as Anxolt's can reach up to 11 inches. They prefer longer tanks rather then tall because they usually walk rather then swim (they still do swim). I read that at bare minimum they need a two foot long tank for a single adult but the more space the better. Do you have plans to get a larger tank when it reaches maturity? Especially if you were thinking about getting second?

They rarely reach 11 inches from what I’ve read as that’s max size for them. Yes they do prefer a longer tank but with only Baymax occupying it, it’s all his for now! I may look into getting a 40 gallon breeder style and having either 2 or 3 in there. I’m interested in breeding them and seeing how that works so I may lean towards just 2, but wait until mine reaches maturity to guarantee he’s a male in order to know which gender I should get to have babies! I may set up a 10 gallon take for either Baymax at college or I might get another juvenile one and let him live at college with me and Baymax at home and then at the end of the school year, see if I could get a 40 or a 20 long for now... we’ll see though as this is just theory!

 

I would actually not recommend keeping juveniles together. They tend to eat each other's legs. They grow out of the cannibalism, though... eventually.

EDIT, I just re-read your post and housing them separately until they're grown is exactly what you said you'd do. My bad.

 

I would actually not recommend keeping juveniles together. They tend to eat each other's legs. They grow out of the cannibalism, though... eventually.

EDIT, I just re-read your post and housing them separately until they're grown is exactly what you said you'd do. My bad.

No worries but yeah I know about the cannibalism between juveniles! That’s what stopped me from buying two to begin with

I tested my water tonight and ammonia reads .25 ppm and nitrates read 5 ppm. Will doing a water change stress my axolotl out to much or should I just do it bc ammonia is ammonia and needs to be removed?

also here’s a cute pic of Baymax!

 

ammonia is ammonia and needs to be removed

 

okay will do a water change tomorrow! for the water I’m adding in, if it’s tap, does it need to be conditioned or do I condition the water in the tank already after syphoning out some water ?

 

Thanks so much! Hope he loves it! What creatures in your profile!? Is it aquatic or is that just sand on the bottom ?

It's a Crested Gecko. He was standing on paper towels in that pic. Now that he's older I keep him on actual substrate Eco-Earth.

Also, you're making me want to get an axolotl now!!!

 

I’ve got 4 and I already want more! Here’s my Mojo!

 

I may want one soon unless two is better I honestly don’t know

 

They do just fine when kept singly. If you want to keep more than 1 together, you have to make sure they are the same size, and that neither of them are juveniles, otherwise they will eat each other's limbs. In fact, even if those items are addressed, they still might cannibalize each other. It's just less likely with adults. Many people find keeping them singly to just be easier. I can think of one person who has several axolotls, and that's the only animal she keeps, and she keeps them all in separate tanks. I can think of others who keep theirs together.

 

I don’t if it’s just me or it’s because I don’t have a lift on this tank, but I feel my tank is really cloudy! Is there any way to get rid of the cloudiness? Let me know what you think?

 

2 possible causes are coming to mind.

1: Do you have a water test kit? What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? It might be a bacteria bloom. The only way to know for sure is to test the water. How did you cycle the tank before getting the axolotl?

2: Or, it might be that your tank needs more filtration. I see you have a HOB filter... what filter is it exactly?

 

2 possible causes are coming to mind.

1: Do you have a water test kit? What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? It might be a bacteria bloom. The only way to know for sure is to test the water. How did you cycle the tank before getting the axolotl?

2: Or, it might be that your tank needs more filtration. I see you have a HOB filter... what filter is it exactly?

I did a water change two days ago and haven’t had time to do a test. Prior to the water change ammonia was .50 ppm and nitrite was 0, but I didn’t read nitrate. At first, I had nothing in the tank. Then a week later, I added some feeder guppies and ghost shrimp. Then, I added media from my 55 gallon to the tank and then let it run for three weeks and then tested the water and had 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 5 nitrates.

It’s a Tetra Whisper 20 . I went with the smaller filter bc I thought it would have a less flow rate knowing they don’t like large flow. I believe it’s 110 gph.