Author Topic: My other pets - axolotls (Read 54380 times) 37 replies

Littlefish · « **Reply #20 on:** April 05, 2016, 07:33:11 PM »

Relatively cool temperatures.
Ideally 16c - 18c, but are quite happy with lower temperatures. Below 10c their metabolism slows, above 23c is very stressful for them and can lead to death.

Richard W · « **Reply #21 on:** April 05, 2016, 07:53:08 PM »

I might consider them if I get round to repairing a tank which sprung a leak and has been empty for a couple of years. It's in a fairly large north-facing room which never gets too hot, even in the middle of summer and is only kept "lukewarm" in winter, not more than 18c. I have plenty of time to read up on them as I won't get round to fixing the tank until autumn.

Littlefish · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2016, 08:09:11 PM »

They are adorably weird little things.
There's plenty of information on the internet, but if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Fiona · « **Reply #23 on:** April 06, 2016, 12:43:01 PM »

I just had a little read about them, fascinating creatures! They can regrow lost limbs apparently.

Littlefish · « **Reply #24 on:** April 06, 2016, 03:41:05 PM »

Correct, which is why they are used so much in scientific research. One of mine had lost the tip of one of his gills, which has now grown back, but is branched.
They are critically endangered and possibly extinct in the wild (basically 1 area of lake in Mexico city), but will never be completely extinct due to breeding for scientific research and the pet trade.
They also have both external gills and internal lungs.
They are neotenic - they reach sexual maturity whilst still in the juvenile form.
Their eyesight is not good, they are goofy, look like a cartoon character and are far from graceful.
They are adorable, cute, amazing, and are pretty much guaranteed to raise a smile or chuckle with their antics.

Fiona · « **Reply #25 on:** April 06, 2016, 04:30:50 PM »

Cute definitely, not cute enough to compensate for the poop size as far as I'm concerned though

Littlefish · « **Reply #26 on:** April 06, 2016, 04:39:46 PM »

Fair point.

That is the only time I've seen one that big, which was why I took the picture. That one was when they first tried pellets. The wild type scoffed loads, leading to the epic pooh.

Normally they are just a little blob, about the size of a finger tip.

Littlefish · « **Reply #27 on:** May 05, 2016, 09:25:03 AM »

This morning I found Chunky Monkey waiting for his breakfast...whilst standing in a bowl of axolotl pellets.

He's not bright, but he is cute.

I've now changed his bowl to one that is larger and more shallow and he seems to have got the hang of it.

Sue · « **Reply #28 on:** May 05, 2016, 11:04:40 AM »

We had a trip this morning to Redcar. My husband likes the fish counter at their Morrisons and I like the fish shop round the corner. I went in there for some dry goods and they had 2 axolotl tanks, the first time I've seen them in the flesh. The top one had three fully grown axies (2 greyish, one white) while the lower tank had babies, 2 to 3 inches long.
I can now see why you like them so much

Littlefish · « **Reply #29 on:** May 05, 2016, 12:20:23 PM »

The little ones are so cute it's crazy.
The older ones are weird bundles of adorable.
All daft as a brush, with poor eyesight, constantly walking and swimming into things, and often found relaxing in the strangest of positions.

Littlefish · « **Reply #30 on:** May 26, 2016, 08:26:41 PM »

El Bandito says
"I am Godzilla, Destroyer of Cities! RAAAWR!"
"Fear me, puny humans"
"Phew, that's enough, my back is killing me"

fcmf · « **Reply #31 on:** May 27, 2016, 12:17:41 AM »

Very cute. I'd love to see a video of them moving around (hint, hint)...

Littlefish · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2016, 08:33:54 AM »

They are not the most active of pets, and don't like having light on in the tank, but I'll see what I can do. I hope to be moving them to a different part of the room and into planted tanks over the next month or so, and perhaps they will be a bit more active when investigating a new environment.
I would try to video feeding time, but I'm not sure I have enough hands for that.

ColinB · « **Reply #33 on:** June 02, 2016, 01:46:44 PM »

Not often Axolotles make the news......

Clickety-click.

Littlefish · « **Reply #34 on:** June 02, 2016, 05:56:33 PM »

Wow, very rare, and slightly stranger looking than standard axolotls. I might have to read up on these to see if they ever get to terrestrial salamander stage or not.

Littlefish · « **Reply #35 on:** June 25, 2016, 07:36:07 AM »

The axolotls have been moved to their new tanks. These are the ones with the 3D backgrounds, and I have changed to live plants. I've been trying to get them used to having tank lights on sometimes, mainly so I can get some pictures of them.

The juvenile axolotls are called Ben & Jerry (coppers) and Chunky Monkey (wild type)
With the lights on one copper has made a dash to the back of the tank to hide in the log, the wild type has decided to hide in the plants. Other copper doesn't really seem that fussed.
The wild type comes back out eventually. Hello Chunky Monkey.
The mature axolotls are are far more relaxed about the whole thing, or too lazy to move and hoping to be fed.
Clockwise from the top - Dafydd (wild type in plant), Pringles (leucistic in hide) and El Bandito (at front).

Fiona · « **Reply #36 on:** June 25, 2016, 11:31:18 AM »

I love the effect of the background Donna, well worth the hassle it gave you. It that cave home made?

Littlefish · « **Reply #37 on:** June 25, 2016, 12:01:13 PM »

Thanks Fiona.
Doing the second tank was easier as I knew how messy it was going to be, and how long it would take.
The cave isn't home made, I think I got it on Amazon. It seems very popular in both tanks, even though they are all so big now that their a**e ends hang out at the back.

Sometimes they even sit on the top, amongst the plants.

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My Other Pets - Axolotls

My Other Pets - Axolotls

Author Topic: My other pets - axolotls (Read 54380 times) 37 replies

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