Mary Allen
The axolotl is an ancient species of salamander originally from Mexico. The appearance of the cross-toothed newt is reminiscent of newt larvae. For swimming, it uses a wide rudder tail. On its neck, it has gill appendages that protrude into the water like little trees. Keeping these bizarre animals is a lot of fun if you pay attention to a few special features.
Relaxed Temperatures in Cool Water
In order for your axolotl to do well in its aquarium, it is important to observe temperature limits. He feels most comfortable at temperatures between 12 and 20 °C. If the animals are exposed to temperatures above 23 °C for a longer period of time, this can damage them. The additional heat means stress for the undemanding creatures and makes them susceptible to diseases. Although the axolotl can survive temperatures above 22 °C for a short while, it is important to use a suitable cooler or frozen water bottles to quickly bring the temperature down again. Of course, automatic flow-through cooling systems for aquariums are safer. Fan systems can only lower temperatures by 2-4°C.
In colder waters, the axolotl remains frozen – and waits for improvement. If the temperature does not fall below 2 °C, it usually survives the rigidity unscathed.
Be Careful When Socializing
If you want to keep your axolotl in a tank with other species, you should find out about suitable roommates beforehand. For most species, eat or be eaten. With a body length of around 30 cm, the adult ambush hunter doesn’t care how big its rivals are in the tank. If you still don’t want to keep your axolotl among its own kind, you should limit your socialization to snails and guppies. In principle, however, it is not advisable to socialize with fish, as they carry parasites that go unnoticed and can seriously damage the axolotls.
When Can You Start Breeding?
Young animals reach sexual maturity at 12 to 24 months. The aquarium should not be too crowded for raising young animals, otherwise, they could bite each other when looking for food. If kept appropriately, axolotls can live to be 20 years or more.
Dense Planting in the Tank Desired
Up to four adult axolotls can be accommodated in a tank with basic dimensions of at least 100 x 50 x 50 cm (length x width x height). They are happy to be greened with cold water plants, as they do not like too much light and like to retreat to cozy hiding places. A filter system that keeps the water values stable through its filter bacteria is absolutely necessary.
Enjoy Your Meal!
Axolotls are pure carnivores – earthworms, tubifex, freshwater shrimp, and similar insects are suitable for daily feeding, either frozen or as live food. Axobalance or axolotl pellets are specially tailored to the needs of axolotls and, thanks to their high proportion of fish, shrimp, and natural fiber, represent an equally balanced feed. Depending on the amount of food and the age of the animal, the feeding rhythm should be adjusted. In principle, an adult axolotl can be fed every two to three days.
The Feeding Rule Based on Body Length Also Applies:
An axolotl up to 12 cm long should be fed daily, animals up to 16 cm long only every other day. If the axolotl is 18 cm or more, it should feed every three to four days.
Watch Out for Life-Threatening Substrate!
Axolotls get their food from the ground and therefore always swallow parts of the substrate. To ensure that no pollutants are absorbed during the digestive process, you should ensure that the substrate is untreated. Sand and rounded and undyed natural gravel are ideal for an axolotl tank. The grain size should be 1 to 3 mm to avoid blockages in the animals.
Chemical Clubs – Please Stay Outside!
Chemistry has no place in the axolotl basin. In order to achieve optimal water values, the pool should be “run in” for two to three weeks. The nitrite value has to level out constantly at zero before the animals are allowed to move in. Failure to do so can harm or even kill the axolotl. If a water test still shows nitrate pollution after this time, it is advisable to extend the running-in period.