Thinking of getting an axolotl

HI guys. I'm thinking of getting an axolotl or 2 and I'm not sure what would be a good set up or not, and I have a few questions. (I'm not getting them till July-August, I want as much info as possible first ). I'm planning on using my 50 gallon that's currently housing my goldfish (they will be moved to a larger tank). Would that be ok for the axolotls? The tank has been dosed with ich treatment before, would that pose any issues? Are live plants ok for axolotls? Would a spongefilter be enough filtration for them? What brand of food is best? Thanks!

 

Let me preface this with I only have second hand axolotl knowledge. My good friend has one and I was with her through some of the research and the buying process/talking to breeders.

-50 gallons is definitely enough for a couple of em. It's usually recommended 20 gallons for the first one then another 10-20 gallons for each next one. For the most part they walk around the bottom, don't do a whole lot of swimming so the upper part of the tank may be unused.
-I'm not sure about the meds question, sorry
-in theory live plants are fine with axolotl, but I know my friend had a hard time finding any that would work for her because a lot of plants don't appreciate the cold temps, and the axolotls like darkness so she doesn't have a light on her tank, which also was unfortunate for the plants.
- she uses sponge filters with no issue. She just uses a turkey baster to spot clean out the poops to keep the water from getting too messy.
-earthworms are a staple for her little guy. She could not get him to eat bloodworms, but I've heard they like those. She has had some luck getting him to eat sinking carnivore pellets by hikari.

 

Let me preface this with I only have second hand axolotl knowledge. My good friend has one and I was with her through some of the research and the buying process/talking to breeders.

-50 gallons is definitely enough for a couple of em. It's usually recommended 20 gallons for the first one then another 10-20 gallons for each next one. For the most part they walk around the bottom, don't do a whole lot of swimming so the upper part of the tank may be unused.
-I'm not sure about the meds question, sorry
-in theory live plants are fine with axolotl, but I know my friend had a hard time finding any that would work for her because a lot of plants don't appreciate the cold temps, and the axolotls like darkness so she doesn't have a light on her tank, which also was unfortunate for the plants.
- she uses sponge filters with no issue. She just uses a turkey baster to spot clean out the poops to keep the water from getting too messy.
-earthworms are a staple for her little guy. She could not get him to eat bloodworms, but I've heard they like those. She has had some luck getting him to eat sinking carnivore pellets by hikari.

Thank you! I guess ill look into low light plants, I forgot that axolotls aren't big fans of bright lights Do you know if your friend has any special ways of preping the worms and feeding them to the axolotls?

 

When he was smaller she had to cut up the worms into small chunks, but now that he's grown to my knowledge all she does is clean the dirt off of them and then feed them whole with tweezers.

 

When he was smaller she had to cut up the worms into small chunks, but now that he's grown to my knowledge all she does is clean the dirt off of them and then feed them whole with tweezers.

Ok thanks!

 

HI guys. I'm thinking of getting an axolotl or 2 and I'm not sure what would be a good set up or not, and I have a few questions. (I'm not getting them till July-August, I want as much info as possible first ). I'm planning on using my 50 gallon that's currently housing my goldfish (they will be moved to a larger tank). Would that be ok for the axolotls? The tank has been dosed with ich treatment before, would that pose any issues? Are live plants ok for axolotls? Would a spongefilter be enough filtration for them? What brand of food is best? Thanks!

The 50 will be ok for 2 with at least water changes every 2 weeks or sooner. Axos are cold water so ya know. Prime temp is 63 no more than 72. I would use more than a sponge. I got mine in a 55 with a 30 hob aqueon with a sponge on the intake. A 55 aqueon hob. A riser tube from a under gravel filter drilled and sponged. And a long air stone. I got a load of fake plants to dI'm the current and mine seems to thrive. Going on 3 years now. Roughly 7 years old. I haven't used live plants yet so I don't know that.
Also on food I use coey cat pellets every now and then but there diet is mainly earth worms

 

HI guys. I'm thinking of getting an axolotl or 2 and I'm not sure what would be a good set up or not, and I have a few questions. (I'm not getting them till July-August, I want as much info as possible first ). I'm planning on using my 50 gallon that's currently housing my goldfish (they will be moved to a larger tank). Would that be ok for the axolotls? The tank has been dosed with ich treatment before, would that pose any issues? Are live plants ok for axolotls? Would a spongefilter be enough filtration for them? What brand of food is best? Thanks!

I don‘t have a clue about axolotl, but good for you for researching them before you get one!

 

I don‘t have a clue about axolotl, but good for you for researching them before you get one!

Yea. I got landed with mine. I didn't have any ideas on them. Never even knew they existed. Luckily I'm a quick learner.