Spyyk the Axolotl
This is Spyyk. Welcome to HIS Blogpages - here you can find out all about him, his kind, and what he gets up to! I started this blog back in 2006, but as so much has been going on, I gave it a huge update (thus all the dates have changed) in November 2009.
Axolotl - Where From and Just A Funny Word?
Spyyk is an Axolotl (Ambystoma Mexicanum), native to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco of the Valley of Mexico. Although he comes from Mexico, he isn't a tropical animal - in fact quite the opposite - they don't like it hot!
Lake Xochimilco was actually an ancient, cold basin lake in the mountains. The temperature there rarely rises above 20°C, and falls to 6 or 7°C in the winter. However, today the lake is is only a series of canals, as it was drained to supply the city with its springs.
Amazingly, the Axolotl still just manages to survive here, as a registered endangered species with CITES. (Entered into CITES database, July 1975)
Spyyk lives in a specially designed tank, in a nice cold corner:
He has pretty much everything a young 'Lotl could wish for - and you can find more about that on his Tank page.
Axe - oh - lot - uhl.
Strange, isn't it?
It actually originates from Nahuatl, an Aztec language.
Atl means water, and xolotl means doll - Waterdoll. No single translation is technically "correct"; Axolotl can mean water-slave, water-player, water-monster, and many other meanings.
It's a common misconception that xolotl means Dog - Nahuatl for dog is itzcuintli. This idea came from the Aztec God, Xolotl - shown as dog headed. Mind you, he also had twisted, backward hands and feet - and too many at that:
Chances are it was called so because it was disturbing and strange; a derisive name for the "ugly beast". The Axolotl could well be named for him, as his story goes like this:
Xolotl was the God of Lightning, Fire, Bad Luck and Names - he was a soul guide for the dead to Mictlan, the Aztec afterlife and twin brother of Quetzalocoatl, the Feathered Serpent. As lord of the evening star, he cared for the Sun, guiding her to the ocean, and guarding her during the night on her dangerous journey through the underworld, bringing forth fire.
He is listed in myth to have been the creator of humankind with his brother Quetzolocoatl, entering the underworld to grind the bones of the dead into mash, mixed and given life with the blood of Gods.
Whilst creating the humans, and as the other Gods were sacrificed by Ecatl the wind, he decided he didn't want to die. He escaped to Earth to avoid being made part of the new creation. Here he assumed many shapes: two stalks of maize from one root (named by the field workers thereafter Xolotl); a maguey plant in two parts (again named by the workers, Mexolotl) and then dived into the water... Transforming into a hideous salamander - the Axolotl.
The remaining Gods found him here, captured and killed Xolotl, and gave him as nourishment to the Sun and Moon. Many say Xolotl bred with other salamanders in a fit of madness before he was captured - so you never know, you may well be caring for the son/daughter of a God.
Lake Xochimilco was actually an ancient, cold basin lake in the mountains. The temperature there rarely rises above 20°C, and falls to 6 or 7°C in the winter. However, today the lake is is only a series of canals, as it was drained to supply the city with its springs.
Amazingly, the Axolotl still just manages to survive here, as a registered endangered species with CITES. (Entered into CITES database, July 1975)
Spyyk lives in a specially designed tank, in a nice cold corner:
He has pretty much everything a young 'Lotl could wish for - and you can find more about that on his Tank page.
Axe - oh - lot - uhl.
Strange, isn't it?
It actually originates from Nahuatl, an Aztec language.
Atl means water, and xolotl means doll - Waterdoll. No single translation is technically "correct"; Axolotl can mean water-slave, water-player, water-monster, and many other meanings.
It's a common misconception that xolotl means Dog - Nahuatl for dog is itzcuintli. This idea came from the Aztec God, Xolotl - shown as dog headed. Mind you, he also had twisted, backward hands and feet - and too many at that:
Chances are it was called so because it was disturbing and strange; a derisive name for the "ugly beast". The Axolotl could well be named for him, as his story goes like this:
Xolotl was the God of Lightning, Fire, Bad Luck and Names - he was a soul guide for the dead to Mictlan, the Aztec afterlife and twin brother of Quetzalocoatl, the Feathered Serpent. As lord of the evening star, he cared for the Sun, guiding her to the ocean, and guarding her during the night on her dangerous journey through the underworld, bringing forth fire.
He is listed in myth to have been the creator of humankind with his brother Quetzolocoatl, entering the underworld to grind the bones of the dead into mash, mixed and given life with the blood of Gods.
Whilst creating the humans, and as the other Gods were sacrificed by Ecatl the wind, he decided he didn't want to die. He escaped to Earth to avoid being made part of the new creation. Here he assumed many shapes: two stalks of maize from one root (named by the field workers thereafter Xolotl); a maguey plant in two parts (again named by the workers, Mexolotl) and then dived into the water... Transforming into a hideous salamander - the Axolotl.
The remaining Gods found him here, captured and killed Xolotl, and gave him as nourishment to the Sun and Moon. Many say Xolotl bred with other salamanders in a fit of madness before he was captured - so you never know, you may well be caring for the son/daughter of a God.
Better be nice to your pet - scary Aztec Daddy is watching from above!
The Tank
Spyyk's tank is a two foot by one by one glass unit, with a specially built lid for lighting and filtration. The lighting is an 8 Watt Arcadia Daylight bulb on an Interpet starter, sent to me from a friend as a gift! In my opinion, these are the best bulbs, as they have the right "bandwidth" of light for your plants to be healthy!
Ben's tank is aerated and filtered by an Interpet PF2, with Venturi system - very effective as you don't need a bubbler then! Economic see, reduce the carbon footprint, use less energy, and less land is needed to provide energy. Save the axolotl, be efficient!
It's not a good photo, but Spyyk likes to sit behind his filter. Lord only knows why...
It WAS floored with a fine, polymer coated black gravel, 4mm and under, as you can see. But axolotl are prone to swallowing pebbles when they eat and potter around, so since then I replaced it with sand, as you can see. It took a while to wash, but it's easier to clean, and he doesn't swallow it - if he does, it comes out just as fast. I was surprised just how many stones had got in his system - they were reappearing for MONTHS!
PTOOEY! Gravel floors don't taste great as a rule...
He has LOTS of different plants at the moment, these provide a more natural environment and, as mentioned, help keep the nitrates down. As it happens, my tap-water is surprisingly high in nitrate, so at the moment I'm fighting with algae too - but more plants will out-compete it!
They have:
Amazon sword
Elodea
Hygrophyla
Water lettuce
Marimo moss
Java moss
Christmas moss
Vallis
Java Fern
and sometimes Indian fern.
The fern is his favourite when it's growing properly - but it can be a pain to cultivate...
He also has a foodbowl, which helps keeps things cleaner. The first picture below is an old one, but it amuses me! It's now on the other side of his tank, with some nice Vallis growing up around it.
They also have a whole array of different stones to amuse them:
Some rather nice Japanese Greens sent by Kev
Some pretty Fire Agate sent by Rose
Some Glass "Icecubes" sent by a nice lady on eBay
And a clear quartz frog I brought back from holiday!
Benny, my other axolotl, has a very similar tank (lighting and condensation lid shown here) - but don't forget, not all axolotl like light, so it's best to give them somewhere to escape from it too. Ben spent a week sulking once...
Ben's tank is aerated and filtered by an Interpet PF2, with Venturi system - very effective as you don't need a bubbler then! Economic see, reduce the carbon footprint, use less energy, and less land is needed to provide energy. Save the axolotl, be efficient!
Anyway, both tanks have standard filtration as well as carbon to remove nasty chemicals, and a bacterial centre to deal with waste breaking down (ammonia and nitrites) as well as a good stack of plants to handle organic breakdown of nitrates.
It's not a good photo, but Spyyk likes to sit behind his filter. Lord only knows why...
It WAS floored with a fine, polymer coated black gravel, 4mm and under, as you can see. But axolotl are prone to swallowing pebbles when they eat and potter around, so since then I replaced it with sand, as you can see. It took a while to wash, but it's easier to clean, and he doesn't swallow it - if he does, it comes out just as fast. I was surprised just how many stones had got in his system - they were reappearing for MONTHS!
PTOOEY! Gravel floors don't taste great as a rule...
He has LOTS of different plants at the moment, these provide a more natural environment and, as mentioned, help keep the nitrates down. As it happens, my tap-water is surprisingly high in nitrate, so at the moment I'm fighting with algae too - but more plants will out-compete it!
They have:
Amazon sword
Elodea
Hygrophyla
Water lettuce
Marimo moss
Java moss
Christmas moss
Vallis
Java Fern
and sometimes Indian fern.
The fern is his favourite when it's growing properly - but it can be a pain to cultivate...
He also has a foodbowl, which helps keeps things cleaner. The first picture below is an old one, but it amuses me! It's now on the other side of his tank, with some nice Vallis growing up around it.
It's actually a glass candle holder - but the shape is ideal - his frozen food goes under the "roof", the shorter front side, and then sinks into the main bowl. He can simply walk in, eat lunch without eating floor, and walk back out again! This method has proved incredibly successful with many axolotl, and much easier to control the mess too!
It's also fun to climb on!
They do have beds, somewhere to sleep, play, hide (from me and the light) and sulk - Ben has Spyyk's old resin "log effect" tunnel from Interpets Aquatic Treasure collection, and Spyyk now has a custom-cut length of multi-entrance drain pipe.
It's also fun to climb on!
They do have beds, somewhere to sleep, play, hide (from me and the light) and sulk - Ben has Spyyk's old resin "log effect" tunnel from Interpets Aquatic Treasure collection, and Spyyk now has a custom-cut length of multi-entrance drain pipe.
They also have a whole array of different stones to amuse them:
Some rather nice Japanese Greens sent by Kev
Some pretty Fire Agate sent by Rose
Some Glass "Icecubes" sent by a nice lady on eBay
And a clear quartz frog I brought back from holiday!
Axolotl Anatomy 101
MOUTHS:
Spyyk has tried to glomp the hematite on many occasions, but fortunately it's far too heavy for suction to pick off the floor, so he's not in any danger. Be careful with normal pebbles - they need to be bigger than your axies head!
GILLS:
As deceptive as this odd "hair-do" is, they are actually gills! Axolotl are Neotenic salamanders. This means they can't produce hormones to turn into full adults, so they stay in their "baby" form, usually for their entire lives; they won't lose those fab fluffy gills when they get older and their body structure remains the same, even though they can still have their own babies.
It is incredibly rare for an axie to suddenly metamorphose, unless they're forced to live in terrible conditions or forced to with hormone injections. This is very cruel as not all axolotl can morph, it's extremely painful for them and it halves the length of their lives. Why would you want to???
BREATHING:
Axolotl respiration is very unusual in the Caudata (Salamander/Newt) world - as they use FOUR methods to breathe!
The most obvious is their gills - the structures branching out from the sides of their heads (called Rami), trailing the delicate membranes full of tiny capillaries (called Fimbrea).The rami allow water to move around the fine membranes and oxygen can seep directly into the bloodstream and passes CO2 back into the water. The capillaries branch out from the arteries and veins in the main branches - which you can see clearly in Baby Spyyk here.
Shown to a reasonable degree of clarity is one of his gill branches. Note the big blood vessels through the rami - or branch, and how pink with red bloodcells the fimbriae - gill fibres are. Axolotl are lazy fellows, so instead of moving around to get the water to flow through their gills, they'll just move the gills themselves in a flicking motion. Move the stale water, and bring in fresh - perfect!
They also use "cutaneous respiration" - breathing directly through the skin. As salamander skin is so thin and delicate, the gasses can pass through it with ease. The slime coating their skin also helps, by keeping it moist and active - they should NEVER dry out.
The next method is somewhat more complex - Buccal respiration.
The "Buccopharyngeal Membrane" is located near the back of the throat - a flap of thin skin to help absorb oxygen in the same way as the rest of the skin does. The throat pulsates, causing oxygenated water to flow across this membrane, out through the gill slits along the fimbrea, and across his sides - so in fact they're breathing three ways in one - what clever creature!
The "arrow" structure you can just make out in this image is the buccal pouch - your axolotl also uses it at dinnertime as part of it's feeding mechanism - he pushes water out of the mouth, and then suddenly sucking it in again by flaring the buccal pouch down - the change in pressure draws the water in.
And then here comes the really odd bit - this aquatic axolotl has lungs too!
The axolotl by no means relies on it's very basic lung system, as it has all the other forms of respiration, but if the oxygen levels get too low, or indeed, if he or she simply feels like it, they will go to the top and grab a bubble. BLOIP!
They swallow the bubble, sending it into their lungs. It often means they float around for a little while, but they can burp it up later. I've found that Spyyk enjoys gulping bubbles, as it means he can use perfect buoyancy to bob along in the tank. I've often seen him just drifting in the current, halfway up. I guess it's fun!
Axie Foods... Gourmet!
You only need to feed Axolotl once every two to three days. In fact, if they are fed well at the start of the week, they should cope all the way to next week. *blegged* - See how full his stomach cavity is?
This is useful to know for holidays - but remember, the little fella will NOT be amused, and will be VERY hungry. If you can train someone to throw him in some food whilst you're away, that's a good idea. They can make sure everything is fine in there too.
As you might see in the "Toys" section, glass shrimp are good fun. Make sure you get Amato shrimp, and NOT Paleomontes or other species. Paleos are similar looking, but they have quite large claws, which hurt. Amato are small, fast little shrimp that do a great job of helping clean your tank.
I seriously encourage the use of foodbowls - this stops them eating the substrate (gravel/sand etc) quite so much, and means they will be healthier - no gravel to block up their insides. It also means you can clean any rare leftovers up with complete ease!
Well, except for the bits they chuck everywhere...
And here's why shrimp are so useful - they'll clean it up for you!
Here's a video of Spyyk cleaning up a destroyed dinner, putting that powerful hoovering mechanism we talked about in 101 to good use...
Variety in food can keep your axolotl highly amused! Staple diets are boring.
Would you want the same meal, day in, day out for the rest of your life?
Some people feed theirs live worms - but I've found this potentially risky due to parasites; however I've found a very good supplier. Rickeezee@Supanet.com supplies extraordinarily good Dendrobaena worms, between 50 - 100 (depending on size obv) in a tub for just £3.68 - that's including postage.
I go for these, because they're specially cultured, and so far less likely to have parasites. I keep mine in a small tank full of organic, pesticide/chemical free compost, and feed them anything I have going. They seem to like fishfood, and mash potato, but variety is best. Remember to purge your worms by dropping them in a bowl of water for 20 mins. Bear in mind some axolotl will often refuse to eat frozen food after enjoying the fight of something trying to escape, so try FREEZING the worm. Basically, it will kill the worm, (Sorry worm!) BUT - it will retain the awkward shape and "chase-ability" factor - you can encourage him/her to follow you around by dangling the worm in front of them. Keeping hold of one end when they snap at it also brings on a minor "tug-of-war" game!
Another point applies to the live food problem - if it wiggles, they'll want it all the time.
Snails and slugs can make a tasty treat - make sure they are very small though - you don't want blockage problems, and remember to make sure they're from a chemical free environment.
Physa snails are absolutely ideal - they can absorb some of the calcium from the shell too. Baby Malaysian Trumpet Snails are sometimes acceptable. Just pick some out of your other tank, drop em in, and he/she will happily hunt them down. Strangely, we don't have a problem with live to frozen foods with snails... *shrugs* Don't worry - he didn't eat Gary here. Adult Malaysian Trumpet Snails are just too big and cone shaped to comfortably eat. Gary's still cleaning algae when he's not being sniffed at.
Some people give theirs feeder fish - there are a lot of reasons why I actively discourage this: Firstly, feeder fish are illegal in the UK. Second, as with most live foods, they can carry parasites and diseases, and the bones can sometimes cause problems. Not all Axies will eat live fish for some reason, which means the fish survives - and then nibbles on the axolotl. Not good.
Commercial fish pellets are actually pretty good as a staple diet, especially those formulated for salmon. Make for very good treats too. Mind out however - they are pretty expensive. *gulps*
I find that soft fishing pellets for trout are a good snack. They don't fall apart too fast, and I can pick up a tub for about £2.99 at fishing stores. These can be good fun, and pretty tasty. He can spend AGES looking for them...
Where's it gone?!
Over here?
Turtle sticks - a good treat, but doesn't work for all axolotl. They don't sink very well and let's face it - these guys are lazy. They just can't be bothered swimming around the top to try and get it. Again, make sure they're well soaked, you don't want it dehydrating their insides :S
Dried tubifex worms are also a so-so treat, some will eat them, some won't - the flavour is somewhat lighter and the smells aren't as strong. Be very sure to squeeze all the air out of the cube, otherwise you'll end up with an annoyed 'Lotl floating around the top until he/she can burp. Don't worry - Spyyk was fine. He's mastered neutral buoyancy.
Freeze-dried crickets can make fun foods too - although they may be a little difficult to obtain. Don't forget to soak them, as they can hold a bit of air - as with tubifex cubes, you don't want a miffed fella drifting around.
If you have an axolotl that is underweight, then waxworms make a good food. One a day alongside normal feeding until they are back to full weight will balance their natural fat reserves. Easily obtained from fishing shops and reptile stores.
And there you have it, one happy 'Lotl. Scratch that - one TUBBY 'Lotl.
NEW!
Today I bought some frozen Lancefish (small baitfish - you can buy these easily in aquatic stores) to try out on Ye Olde GutBucket. Frozen Lancefish are specially bred for this purpose, and are treated against parasites and other nasties that are associated with live foods. Turns out they're a bit boney.
This is useful to know for holidays - but remember, the little fella will NOT be amused, and will be VERY hungry. If you can train someone to throw him in some food whilst you're away, that's a good idea. They can make sure everything is fine in there too.
As you might see in the "Toys" section, glass shrimp are good fun. Make sure you get Amato shrimp, and NOT Paleomontes or other species. Paleos are similar looking, but they have quite large claws, which hurt. Amato are small, fast little shrimp that do a great job of helping clean your tank.
I seriously encourage the use of foodbowls - this stops them eating the substrate (gravel/sand etc) quite so much, and means they will be healthier - no gravel to block up their insides. It also means you can clean any rare leftovers up with complete ease!
Well, except for the bits they chuck everywhere...
And here's why shrimp are so useful - they'll clean it up for you!
Here's a video of Spyyk cleaning up a destroyed dinner, putting that powerful hoovering mechanism we talked about in 101 to good use...
Variety in food can keep your axolotl highly amused! Staple diets are boring.
Would you want the same meal, day in, day out for the rest of your life?
Some people feed theirs live worms - but I've found this potentially risky due to parasites; however I've found a very good supplier. Rickeezee@Supanet.com supplies extraordinarily good Dendrobaena worms, between 50 - 100 (depending on size obv) in a tub for just £3.68 - that's including postage.
I go for these, because they're specially cultured, and so far less likely to have parasites. I keep mine in a small tank full of organic, pesticide/chemical free compost, and feed them anything I have going. They seem to like fishfood, and mash potato, but variety is best. Remember to purge your worms by dropping them in a bowl of water for 20 mins. Bear in mind some axolotl will often refuse to eat frozen food after enjoying the fight of something trying to escape, so try FREEZING the worm. Basically, it will kill the worm, (Sorry worm!) BUT - it will retain the awkward shape and "chase-ability" factor - you can encourage him/her to follow you around by dangling the worm in front of them. Keeping hold of one end when they snap at it also brings on a minor "tug-of-war" game!
Note: You may have to chop the worm up a bit to make it more managable to your pet. They can handle up to about a third to a half of their own bodylength in worm, but you may be surprised!
Another treat is human class meats.
No, no! I didn't mean people should be eaten - I meant meats humans eat...
Now, these should be classed as rare treats, maybe once every two weeks and in small portions alongside normal meals. Make sure there is as little fat as possible on it, as axolotl can't digest some forms of fat very well.
Ham is acceptable if unsmoked and not any fancy cures. I soak mine to remove excess salts and chemicals - and to make it even more fun, I attach it to a vegetable clip - his very own tug-of-war game! Dangling a piece in is also great fun - they can have a good tug on the dinner with you.
Hours of fun...
Some people feed theirs small strips of raw beefheart or liver. Keep it a RARE TREAT as it can be very fatty, but if you have a good butcher, this shouldn't be a problem. Others give axies nibbles of uncooked chicken, fish or lamb. Well, where are axolotl going to find roast chickens in the wild?!
Mealworms are sometimes given as a treat, but I don't encourage this for a couple of reasons: Mealworms have very large, powerful jaws which could potentially do serious damage to an axolotl - so you will need to crush those pincers before they get fed. Also, most amphibians have a problem digesting chitin - that tough shell on certain bugs. You'll be picking bits out of your filter for weeks! Eurgh.
Another treat is human class meats.
No, no! I didn't mean people should be eaten - I meant meats humans eat...
Now, these should be classed as rare treats, maybe once every two weeks and in small portions alongside normal meals. Make sure there is as little fat as possible on it, as axolotl can't digest some forms of fat very well.
Ham is acceptable if unsmoked and not any fancy cures. I soak mine to remove excess salts and chemicals - and to make it even more fun, I attach it to a vegetable clip - his very own tug-of-war game! Dangling a piece in is also great fun - they can have a good tug on the dinner with you.
Hours of fun...
Some people feed theirs small strips of raw beefheart or liver. Keep it a RARE TREAT as it can be very fatty, but if you have a good butcher, this shouldn't be a problem. Others give axies nibbles of uncooked chicken, fish or lamb. Well, where are axolotl going to find roast chickens in the wild?!
Mealworms are sometimes given as a treat, but I don't encourage this for a couple of reasons: Mealworms have very large, powerful jaws which could potentially do serious damage to an axolotl - so you will need to crush those pincers before they get fed. Also, most amphibians have a problem digesting chitin - that tough shell on certain bugs. You'll be picking bits out of your filter for weeks! Eurgh.
Another point applies to the live food problem - if it wiggles, they'll want it all the time.
Snails and slugs can make a tasty treat - make sure they are very small though - you don't want blockage problems, and remember to make sure they're from a chemical free environment.
Physa snails are absolutely ideal - they can absorb some of the calcium from the shell too. Baby Malaysian Trumpet Snails are sometimes acceptable. Just pick some out of your other tank, drop em in, and he/she will happily hunt them down. Strangely, we don't have a problem with live to frozen foods with snails... *shrugs* Don't worry - he didn't eat Gary here. Adult Malaysian Trumpet Snails are just too big and cone shaped to comfortably eat. Gary's still cleaning algae when he's not being sniffed at.
Some people give theirs feeder fish - there are a lot of reasons why I actively discourage this: Firstly, feeder fish are illegal in the UK. Second, as with most live foods, they can carry parasites and diseases, and the bones can sometimes cause problems. Not all Axies will eat live fish for some reason, which means the fish survives - and then nibbles on the axolotl. Not good.
Commercial fish pellets are actually pretty good as a staple diet, especially those formulated for salmon. Make for very good treats too. Mind out however - they are pretty expensive. *gulps*
I find that soft fishing pellets for trout are a good snack. They don't fall apart too fast, and I can pick up a tub for about £2.99 at fishing stores. These can be good fun, and pretty tasty. He can spend AGES looking for them...
Where's it gone?!
Over here?
Turtle sticks - a good treat, but doesn't work for all axolotl. They don't sink very well and let's face it - these guys are lazy. They just can't be bothered swimming around the top to try and get it. Again, make sure they're well soaked, you don't want it dehydrating their insides :S
Dried tubifex worms are also a so-so treat, some will eat them, some won't - the flavour is somewhat lighter and the smells aren't as strong. Be very sure to squeeze all the air out of the cube, otherwise you'll end up with an annoyed 'Lotl floating around the top until he/she can burp. Don't worry - Spyyk was fine. He's mastered neutral buoyancy.
Freeze-dried crickets can make fun foods too - although they may be a little difficult to obtain. Don't forget to soak them, as they can hold a bit of air - as with tubifex cubes, you don't want a miffed fella drifting around.
If you have an axolotl that is underweight, then waxworms make a good food. One a day alongside normal feeding until they are back to full weight will balance their natural fat reserves. Easily obtained from fishing shops and reptile stores.
And there you have it, one happy 'Lotl. Scratch that - one TUBBY 'Lotl.
NEW!
Today I bought some frozen Lancefish (small baitfish - you can buy these easily in aquatic stores) to try out on Ye Olde GutBucket. Frozen Lancefish are specially bred for this purpose, and are treated against parasites and other nasties that are associated with live foods. Turns out they're a bit boney.
However, dedicated owner that I am, I accepted it back, laid it on Spyyk's plate (Spyyk has a plate especially for these sort of jobs) and filleted the fish. For those that don't know how to fillet - use a sharp knife to nick in slightly behind the head of the fish, on the side, into the meat. Carefully run the blade along the side of the spine towards the tail, and a nice sheet of fish will come off. Flip the fish over and repeat.
Et voila, lob in foodbowl, one happy lottle.
Et voila, lob in foodbowl, one happy lottle.
Peitsch made me laugh - he describes axolotl feeding as "a ferocious, violent assault that would knock down a building, if the salamander were the size of a great white shark."
Spyyk Toys...
"Toys?" I hear you cry.
Of course toys - what ELSE would he do? He's too lazy to swim about all day, and intelligent enough to get very bored! As it happens, he has a HUGE array of things to do - and I add more when I can! Something as simple as a shotglass can keep him amused for hours at a time...
Scrabble...
Scramble...
Success...
Start again!
Well, we told you so!
It really is good fun! You ought to try it - makes your eyes go allllll funny!
A collection of pretty stones can keep him occupied for quite some time also. They come with different textures, colours and even smells - these will captivate his attention and ensure he learns about his enviroment.
Especially as bright things bring HIS pets over - he likes to chase shrimp!
Where did it go?
AHA!
He even likes to play with me - I don't handle him out of the water, as he is very delicate, and needs to stay moist at all times - but he loves to jump on me, and bite! (It doesn't hurt, even now that he's huge and can chew on my thumb, axolotl teeth aren't sharp enough to do any damage to people.)
Hide and seek is a favourite - he's much better at it now!
(Shhhh - he's a leaf!)
Weird and new things keep them intrigued for ages - "What's this?"
All new things are examined in great detail...
Clambered up...
And Higher Enlightenment attained. Or just sat on. *Meh*
And slept on where possible!
Pingpong balls are good. Just pop two pin holes in, one either end. Submerge it in tank water, and VERY gently squeeze repeatedly, until full of water. Leaving a small airbubble makes it "moon-walk" - great for biting at.
Of course toys - what ELSE would he do? He's too lazy to swim about all day, and intelligent enough to get very bored! As it happens, he has a HUGE array of things to do - and I add more when I can! Something as simple as a shotglass can keep him amused for hours at a time...
Scrabble...
Scramble...
Success...
Start again!
Well, we told you so!
It really is good fun! You ought to try it - makes your eyes go allllll funny!
A collection of pretty stones can keep him occupied for quite some time also. They come with different textures, colours and even smells - these will captivate his attention and ensure he learns about his enviroment.
Especially as bright things bring HIS pets over - he likes to chase shrimp!
Where did it go?
AHA!
He even likes to play with me - I don't handle him out of the water, as he is very delicate, and needs to stay moist at all times - but he loves to jump on me, and bite! (It doesn't hurt, even now that he's huge and can chew on my thumb, axolotl teeth aren't sharp enough to do any damage to people.)
Hide and seek is a favourite - he's much better at it now!
(Shhhh - he's a leaf!)
Weird and new things keep them intrigued for ages - "What's this?"
All new things are examined in great detail...
Clambered up...
And Higher Enlightenment attained. Or just sat on. *Meh*
And slept on where possible!
Pingpong balls are good. Just pop two pin holes in, one either end. Submerge it in tank water, and VERY gently squeeze repeatedly, until full of water. Leaving a small airbubble makes it "moon-walk" - great for biting at.
Hidey...
Boo!
They are also very good if you're a toddler, just learning to walk:
Phew! "Tag - You're it!"
As are Marimo moss balls. How about that - a truly versatile plant!
See - if you're really stressed - they're great to kick!
Or - you could just sleep on it.
Clips with certain foods on make for entertaining tug-toys.
Although it's not so great when you have to fight your reflection for it!
Converted budgie toys are fun - the rings here are played with in many ways. He likes to climb it, sniff it, bite it, cart it around on his head - all kinds of things. They move oddly as the water tugs the light plastic, so it's extra interesting. I also caught him dangling off it the other day - hanging on by the fingernails.
I caught him in the act! He was dangling quite merrily, just twisting slowly in the current, until he caught me taking pictures. I swear he went bright pink with embarrassment (although that could be just because he IS bright pink) and shot back out again.
I also put in a whopping great big "diamond". It's actually cut glass with rounded edges, but he seems to like staring at it, and occasionally running up it, then sliding back down! Or just sleeping on it. Apparantly it gives a good viewpoint of the rest of the room, as I often find Spyyk watching me from this new "sofa".
More updates later - watch this space!
Huge thanks to everyone that helped with the eBay sales! I got some really nice wood, and this new toy for Spyyk: He's really happy with it, been sat on it, sniffing it, and staring in general. The shiny blebs in it reflect the light funny, and make it really interesting - apparantly.
Spyyk did also have Benny in with him for a couple of years until there was a case of mistaken identity. A hungry Ben mistook poor Spyyk's hand for lunch, and accidently bit it off. Thankfully I have a lot of experience dealing with axolotl injuries and illnesses, so I patched him up, tidied the wound and got him a new tank. His hand has since grown back and both axolotl are happily living in their own individual tanks.
Here's a video of Spyyk and Benny meeting for the first time. They were both SO excited - I think they both thought the other might be female. They soon got the confusion sorted out and settled down - but it makes for wonderful viewing :D
Spyyk Snoozes
When he's not playing, Spyyk likes to sleep. Pretty much anywhere - anywhen.
It kind of starts like this... Down the side of the foodbowl.
But he has a tendancy to sleepwalk - which is how he ends up like this!
He does actually HAVE a bed, as shown -
He just chooses to sleep everywhere else!
*sighs*
Well, what can you do?
It kind of starts like this... Down the side of the foodbowl.
But he has a tendancy to sleepwalk - which is how he ends up like this!
He does actually HAVE a bed, as shown -
He just chooses to sleep everywhere else!
*sighs*
Well, what can you do?
Project Hammock!
The Spyyk hammock project is complete, much to his delight!
It's a simple rigup made from a peice of A+ driftwood, a thick layer of rather rare christmas moss, some super-strong Microfibre (£1.10 a reel from good sowing stores) and a plastic binder edge.
He loves it very much now, and spent the most of the first day jumping on it. Don't ask me why, but Axolotl have an obsession with jumping/stomping/laying on ANY kind of aquatic Moss.
Anyway, this pic was about 1am - and he shortly after fell out...
It's a simple rigup made from a peice of A+ driftwood, a thick layer of rather rare christmas moss, some super-strong Microfibre (£1.10 a reel from good sowing stores) and a plastic binder edge.
He loves it very much now, and spent the most of the first day jumping on it. Don't ask me why, but Axolotl have an obsession with jumping/stomping/laying on ANY kind of aquatic Moss.
Anyway, this pic was about 1am - and he shortly after fell out...
After a panic and a scramble he climbed back up...
Realised I was laughing and pointing a camera, told me off...
And went back to sleep!
This is from yesterday, after he woke up - all the jumping around I said he was up to, he started again. Sorry about the shaky camerawork - it was VERY funny at the time!
Shufflebrain
Those interested in the Shufflebrain Project can find a fascinating series of articles here: http://www.indiana.edu/~pietsch/
Spyyk and the Battle of the Brains
A series of clashes with the shrimp...
Stories that tell themselves. Apologies for the laughter and so forth.
Stories that tell themselves. Apologies for the laughter and so forth.
Axolotl Oddness
He likes to be other things sometimes. This week's axie oddity is copying a Galileo's thermometer - you can see it next to the tank...
Last week's was play silly beggars whilst owner is trying to take a decent picture of axolotl head. Wait - aim - wait for the perfect shot - there! CLICK! And this is what I ended up with three times in a row.
NEW ODDITIES:
Last week's was play silly beggars whilst owner is trying to take a decent picture of axolotl head. Wait - aim - wait for the perfect shot - there! CLICK! And this is what I ended up with three times in a row.
NEW ODDITIES:
It was stargazing season again. I did point out we were INDOORS - but he didn't care. I gave him a glow in the dark star on the glass next morning, but he ignored it. I took it off again.
And evil stalker mode - hunting stealthily...
Eeep!
Your Questions Answered!
All writers email addresses and names are removed, oldest stuff at the top, newest stuff at the bottom. I reply to everyone who emails me - my address is indigo_blue_fish AT hotmail.co.uk
Code:
BLUE - Details
RED - Writer
GREEN - My reply
RED - Writer
GREEN - My reply
Subject: Pinning plants down. Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 23:53:20 +0800
>hey there, i just finished reading Spyyk's blog, im a big fan of the little cutie! looking at your tank... i was wondering if you had any advice on attaching the plants to the subsrate? it would be a great help because i have just started to set up Maugher's new three and a half foot tank ready for cycling, and was wondering how you managed to plant your plants with so little substrate. I allready have java moss in there, and some crypt and java fern, but they are in pots... ugh.I know Maugher will be glad to get out of his cramped ''temporary'' tank...poor little guy well... thanks!
Cont: Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:50:20 +0000
*laughs* I'm glad you like it.
Ok, I didn't have many problems with the shallow substrate - the vallis will happily lock in after a few days if you pile the sand up over it's roots.
Reply received: 30 December 2006 07:09:59
Sent: 10 January 2007 09:37:22
Reply received : 10 January 2007 17:54:09
Thanks for prompt reply - appreciated - Yes I do have a separate tank and water is fine - no filtration tho as a website said just to use airstone which is what I have done.
Sent: 11 January 2007 09:31:10
*grins* The icecube method is only for mealtimes, so they're not in there long!
Use a big turkey baster to very gently suck up the babies and pop them in the individual compartments. Feeding them like this means there's no waste foods left in the tank.
By the sounds of it, I would say they're keeling over because the tank's uncycled.
If you don't know, ammonia occurs when wastes (from the axolotl) break down. This breaks down into Nitrites by special bacteria that live in filters, and then into Nitrates by another kind of bacteria. As you might have guessed, ammonia and nitrite are bad - poisonous and burning actually.
I would suggest getting a good liquid test kit - I use a master kit by Canadian Pharmaceuticals for just under £20, and it has tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, high ph and standard ph - all very useful for monitoring your tank. A good kit will alert you to unhealthy water conditions.
DON'T buy "dip-strips", they're awful. Low price, yes - but highly inaccurate.
Okies, dealing with the tank at the moment. Leave the airstone in, but stick a pin through the tube so some air escapes thataway too - it'll slow the current down and help the babies relax - high flow = stress. Every day, do two water changes of 50% - this will help lower nasty chemicals like ammonia.
Dealing with filtration: There's a very useful filter, just right for rearing tanks. It's powered by your airstone - practically a sponge with water forced through by the bubbles, and is nice and cheap in most fish stores.
Now, the sensible way to "kick start" the filter is to set it running in your mature axie tank for a couple of weeks; it'll pick up good bacteria from there. Pop that straight over into the rearing tank, and it should get straight to work, steadily lowering the nasty chemicals.
Reply received: 11 January 2007 22:24:20
Thanks for all your help - still need to get a brine shrimp hatchery etc - tried E Bay tonight but not too sure what I am doing on there lol - have to go to aquarium place on Sunday so will try there - That really is a lottie smile!!
Axolotl are fascinating creatures - but it depends what you want out of them. If you're expecting something to be running around all the time - this may not be your pet.
8 15:00:31
*laughs* I'm glad you like it.
Ok, I didn't have many problems with the shallow substrate - the vallis will happily lock in after a few days if you pile the sand up over it's roots.
For the bigger, "heavier" plants like Hygro, pop a nice big riverpebble (or in my case a japanese green) on the roots so it weighs it down AND props it up. Crypts, j.ferns and mosses are happiest when tied onto bogwood - after a couple of months the rhyzomes (like roots) will extend into the wood and fix themselves in.
Axies LOVE to jump on moss covered wood.
I love the name by the way, what was the inspiration?
For REALLY big plants like my amazon sword (at the back, just behind the Spyyk-house) it's a do or die thing.
Pile up the sand, pop some pebbles round it (or in my case, a house on the majority of the roots) and it'll pretend to keel over. After that, it will perk up again and look fabbie. Waterlettuce is a good cover plant (very good if you have goldfish or koi too, they'll eat the excess) and you can put just about anything in with 'lotties.
I've had great success with Hornwort and Elodea too. Dead easy trick for this - grab a [Brand name removed - circular tube of crisps] lid - y'know, the plastic circle thing - and slice an X into it with a sharp knife. Pull the end of the plants through the X, and bury the lid in the sand, or under ornaments. The lid trick is perfectly safe, I've used it for years.
Hope that helps! IBF
Reply received: 30 December 2006 07:09:59
thanks! thats great advice, i would never have thought of the [crisps] lid idea, ill go get some [crisps] today =P, im going to a huge aquarium shop tomorrow so i guess ill pick up some amazon grass, it looks so cool annnd a plant called red dragon, I think.
My little buddies name is inspired from a polish speedway riders last name, my step dads really into british speedway and i thought the name sounded cool so yeah.... alos I would be honored if you put my question on the blog! (Your wish is granted!) thanks again for the advice you'll definetley hear from me again as its really the first time I've set up a proper tank =P (oh yeh, i sunk a ping pong ball into Maugher's temporary tank and he loves headbutting it around his home! great idea =P
My little buddies name is inspired from a polish speedway riders last name, my step dads really into british speedway and i thought the name sounded cool so yeah.... alos I would be honored if you put my question on the blog! (Your wish is granted!) thanks again for the advice you'll definetley hear from me again as its really the first time I've set up a proper tank =P (oh yeh, i sunk a ping pong ball into Maugher's temporary tank and he loves headbutting it around his home! great idea =P
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Subject: Babies Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2007 18:11:44 EST
Just read through your web page - how interesting and informative - do you have any info about raising babies?? I now have my 3rd spawning - the last 2 lots I followed all the advice on website and they all died - this time they are left to their own devices with me just popping in daphnia every day - any ideas??
Just read through your web page - how interesting and informative - do you have any info about raising babies?? I now have my 3rd spawning - the last 2 lots I followed all the advice on website and they all died - this time they are left to their own devices with me just popping in daphnia every day - any ideas??
Sent: 10 January 2007 09:37:22
Thanks! :D
Ok, some details would be useful.
Firstly, I would assume from your email that you have a seperate rearing tank. Is it fully cycled, and what filtration are you using? Even better, what are the water perameters (nitrite/nitrate/ammonia pH etc)? A setup description would be good :)
Are you just feeding daphs? It's a good idea to have a baby brine shrimp hatchery - these are very cheap, and the very best food to give babies.
A friend of mine came up with a great idea - carefully putting babies in an icecube tray full of tank water at mealtimes, and feeding them individually.
It's also a good idea to only keep a few babies, 30 is best for a "full time carer", but you may want to start off with less until you get used to it. Only take so many eggs out of the tank - the 'lotls should eat the rest, and this is completely natural.
Do you know what the babies die from? IBF.
Ok, some details would be useful.
Firstly, I would assume from your email that you have a seperate rearing tank. Is it fully cycled, and what filtration are you using? Even better, what are the water perameters (nitrite/nitrate/ammonia pH etc)? A setup description would be good :)
Are you just feeding daphs? It's a good idea to have a baby brine shrimp hatchery - these are very cheap, and the very best food to give babies.
A friend of mine came up with a great idea - carefully putting babies in an icecube tray full of tank water at mealtimes, and feeding them individually.
It's also a good idea to only keep a few babies, 30 is best for a "full time carer", but you may want to start off with less until you get used to it. Only take so many eggs out of the tank - the 'lotls should eat the rest, and this is completely natural.
Do you know what the babies die from? IBF.
Reply received : 10 January 2007 17:54:09
Thanks for prompt reply - appreciated - Yes I do have a separate tank and water is fine - no filtration tho as a website said just to use airstone which is what I have done.
Yes - I am just feeding Daphnia - I tried brine shrimp with the last lot but they just died alongside the hatchlings!! The Daphnia are so much smaller! Where do I get a shrimp hatchery??
I have no idea why the last two lots died - am asumming as they weren't eating as they seemed to 'pop their clogs' at about 2 weeks old - really sad. I don't want to speak too soon but this lot, that I decided not to fuss with, seem to be doing better than the last two lots.
I did try leaving eggs in the adult tank but my fussy eaters were not into cannabilism and were spitting the eggs out at a fast rate of knots.
Lol - I guess I have about 30 little ones!!
I did read somewhere else about ice cube trays but that would mean no airstone/filtration - is this ok? Sorry to be a pain but once I read your website I had to make contact - it is so good and informative - pls keep it going!! Cheers for the info!! (Thank you, and you're welcome! I'll do my best!)
[Name Removed] : ) <~~~~~~~ that's really a lottie face!!
I did read somewhere else about ice cube trays but that would mean no airstone/filtration - is this ok? Sorry to be a pain but once I read your website I had to make contact - it is so good and informative - pls keep it going!! Cheers for the info!! (Thank you, and you're welcome! I'll do my best!)
[Name Removed] : ) <~~~~~~~ that's really a lottie face!!
Sent: 11 January 2007 09:31:10
More than welcome!
You need baby brine shrimp - pretty much newly hatched see. The salt in adult BS cultures isn't really good for baby axies, and adults die fast in freshwater.
Shrimperys are cheap, come with instructions, and you can buy them at any good fish store. If in doubt, search engine Brine Shrimp Hatchery in the UK section or try eBay.
You can also use VERY small amounts of microworms (nice, mouthsized eats - but not as nutritious as BBS), these are very easy to culture, and very cheap to maintain - again, you can buy microworm cultures on eBay. If you can't find them there, come over to www.allfishforums.com (I work there), as a few of our members supply starter cultures. :D There's also a really useful page in "Profiles", livefoods, on how to set up MicroW cultures.
*grins* The icecube method is only for mealtimes, so they're not in there long!
Use a big turkey baster to very gently suck up the babies and pop them in the individual compartments. Feeding them like this means there's no waste foods left in the tank.
By the sounds of it, I would say they're keeling over because the tank's uncycled.
If you don't know, ammonia occurs when wastes (from the axolotl) break down. This breaks down into Nitrites by special bacteria that live in filters, and then into Nitrates by another kind of bacteria. As you might have guessed, ammonia and nitrite are bad - poisonous and burning actually.
I would suggest getting a good liquid test kit - I use a master kit by Canadian Pharmaceuticals for just under £20, and it has tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, high ph and standard ph - all very useful for monitoring your tank. A good kit will alert you to unhealthy water conditions.
DON'T buy "dip-strips", they're awful. Low price, yes - but highly inaccurate.
Okies, dealing with the tank at the moment. Leave the airstone in, but stick a pin through the tube so some air escapes thataway too - it'll slow the current down and help the babies relax - high flow = stress. Every day, do two water changes of 50% - this will help lower nasty chemicals like ammonia.
Dealing with filtration: There's a very useful filter, just right for rearing tanks. It's powered by your airstone - practically a sponge with water forced through by the bubbles, and is nice and cheap in most fish stores.
Now, the sensible way to "kick start" the filter is to set it running in your mature axie tank for a couple of weeks; it'll pick up good bacteria from there. Pop that straight over into the rearing tank, and it should get straight to work, steadily lowering the nasty chemicals.
It will take a few days to show good results, a week or two, but if you do a 25% Water change every day, that'll help. It's usually a good idea to "mature" a tank/filter first before putting animals in, but I'm probably preaching to the converted :) If your axies don't eat leftover eggs, try selling them! But remember, they have to stay in the UK or your state/country.
THIS is a 'lottie grin -->
Love, IBF& Spyyk. (Not to mention half a million other animals...)
Reply received: 11 January 2007 22:24:20
Thanks for all your help - still need to get a brine shrimp hatchery etc - tried E Bay tonight but not too sure what I am doing on there lol - have to go to aquarium place on Sunday so will try there - That really is a lottie smile!!
(No Problemo!)
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Updated regularly!
Received: 11 January 2007 23:11:02
Will adult axies eat snails??
Replied: 11 January 2007 23:14:09
Yup, depending on how big it is. If it's a dinky one, it's lunch. If it's bigger than the axies head, it will be fine - Spyyk has been living with Binky and Cuddles (two adult apple snails) for some time now. Mind you, please note there have been some nasty scares with the bigger species of snail, where axolotl have got their heads stuck in the shell opening. However, if your 'lotls head is bigger than the opening, they'll be just fine! They happily eat Physa snails, Ramshorns and baby snails of any kind, but tend not to trouble adult Malaysian Trumpets. : )
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Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 22:32:45
Hi IBF, your blog is great! i love the fact you give toys to spykk and try to vary the food (how do you pronounce spykk BTW?). well now to the question, in your opinion, are axolotls entertaining? or do they just laze around all the time?
thanks in advance!
Replied: Sat 13 Jan 2007 21:31:48 (Methinks the writer is in a different timezone to myself.)
Hello! :D Thanks!
All my animals are spoilt silly - not just Spyyk. *grins*
It's pronounced either of two ways - Spike, or Spy-yik. Interesting thought though - how would you pronounce it?
Axolotl are fascinating creatures - but it depends what you want out of them. If you're expecting something to be running around all the time - this may not be your pet.
However, they've got an awful lot of character and are very intelligent - you can train them to respond to stimuli, such as a tap on the top means lunch, or a toss of a pingpong means play. Not all of them learn, but most do if given food incentives!
Spyyk's character suits me perfectly - he's laid back, but interested if something comes close, and likes to sleep late in the morning. Kinda like me really...
They're certainly unusual and can be quite friendly, as you've seen - but they do tend to be content to do nothing a lot too. :)I guess the more things they have to keep them interested and the better you properly interact with them, the more you get out of them.
I mean, yes - Spyyk's lazy, but if I'm around and stick my finger in front of his cave, he'll come out to see if there's any food up for grabs. Depending on his mood then (and whether there IS any food) he'll either come out to play and wander round... or go back to bed! And chewing fingers is always good fun - but make sure you teach them fingers aren't food, or they'll get confused. (Which is one of the reasons I use a foodbowl - saves hours of hassle, and I can just walk him to it...)
I mean, yes - Spyyk's lazy, but if I'm around and stick my finger in front of his cave, he'll come out to see if there's any food up for grabs. Depending on his mood then (and whether there IS any food) he'll either come out to play and wander round... or go back to bed! And chewing fingers is always good fun - but make sure you teach them fingers aren't food, or they'll get confused. (Which is one of the reasons I use a foodbowl - saves hours of hassle, and I can just walk him to it...)
Anything else? :D
IBF.
IBF.
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Date Fri, 2 Mar 2007 03:13:27 +1100
hey,
i just read spyyk's blogs and there great!
I read about the toys and the pingpong ball so i tryed it out myself as he was always up for playing around with me, but it just made my little guy scared and hide under his cave which i made out of driftwood. I took out the ball but my axie wont come out to play anymore, even when i feed him he comes out to eat but then goes right back in. He has been this way for a few weeks now. What can i do to make him not shy and adventuious like he was before?
thanks heaps (",)
Date Fri, 2 Mar 2007 08:32:56 +1100
Oh dear - sorry to hear it - when did this happen?
Ok, here's the first onslaught of questions. The more you can answer, the better.
Have you put anything new in his tank recently besides the pingpong ball? How old is he?What sort of lighting do you use, and when did you install it?
What filtration are you using? (Some axolotl are funny about out-flow. When I know the filter, I can give some suggestions.)
Has he any other tankmates? (As you've seen, I don't reccommend fish, but caridina japonica or cherry shrimp make for great companions/entertainment)I assume your tank is fully cycled by the way you speak, how big is it? (Spyyk lives in a 2 foot tank at the moment, and is sat staring at me as I type.)
He's even leaning on HIS pingpong ball lol!
Have you got any plants in with him? Sounds daft, but they really like greenery. It gives them some shadow from the lights, something to stomp on, pull up and chew as well as something to generally climb about in. Variety in diet is good fun, especially when it means he has to learn to take it from you. The ham thing on Spyyk's blog is ideal, as are commercial fishing pellets. It may also be his general temper - they've mercurial moods at the best of times. Spyyk's been known to sulk for a week straight. However, this can be factored into his age too, which is why I asked above. Axolotl turn into grumpy old men occasionally.
*thinks*What else has he got to do in waking hours? These guys can easily get bored. As I joke, I leave a book open by his tank when I go out, but needless to say he'll go and inspect the new thing. (Picture books are best - different shapes and lots of colour are good apparently)The fact that he comes out to eat is a good thing, but it would be interesting to hear your replies.
Awaiting, IBF and Spyyk.
Date Sat, 3 Mar 2007 04:43:16 +1100
Hey IBF thanks for replying so soon,
My tank is a 40 litre tank thats 60 X 30 X 37cm and my axie as all alone
except for a tiny teeder which i guess he likes to much to eat, ( i live in Australia where their still legeal) i put 3 of them in the tank when i got him and he ate the other two but wont even snap at this one even if its swiming infront of his face. I have watched the fish for ages to see if it will attempt to eat my axies gills but he wont go near them so i just left him as another pet as there both happy in there together.
I have had my axie for about 4months but he has just hit maturity so he shouldnt be too grumpy yet lol.
The pingpong ball is the only new thing i have put in the tank,
i have an intank fluvel plus1 filter but i put some attachments on it so there isnt a current,
and i have an airstone for bubbles. I dont have any lights setup as he is close to a window
which is kept open in the early mornings and after the sun goes down but is closed before any direct light can go near the tank.
I do a waterchange weekly the same as you do and mainly handfeed him salmon pellets, bloodworms and earthworms with the ocational beefheart, but spyyks clip with ham is a great idea which ill have to try aswell.
There isnt too much fun stuff for my axie to do in waketime which is why i thoght it would be good for some toys, he has cave made from driftwood with plants growing out the top ( im not to sure what type the are though) but he used to hide in there alot. I also have a few more fake plants scattered around the tank which i want to replace with real ones. I have lots of different size and cloured pebbols and one large rock to climb over.
lol wow that was a long onslaught of questions :p but i hope this all helps with what the problem could be, and sorry if i missed anything.
....hmm sorry he just came out then and i noticed his tail has receded to just infront of his back legs and its really thinned out, but his gills are still fine and fluffy.
Thanks again for all the trouble. if you want any pics of his just ask and ill send them over.
Sent : 02 March 2007 16:59:01
Not a problem, every axie is important. I assume he was pretty big when you got him then? Lotl's hit maturity at about one year old - Spyyk's a good example of an adult male now. Interesting that he won't go for the remaining fish... but then again, Spyyk's like that with Potted (a big river shrimp), they've been together since he was tiny.
Fluval ones are nice, good choice. Avoid external fluvals though, they have a habit of leaking. I found a way that axies seem to like - aim the outflow out of the water, and then against the back wall. That way it does a mini-waterfall, pulling more oxygen in, and all the water should slow down against the back and any ornaments.
I note you say you have gravel - bear in mind they need it bigger than their heads, or sand. Axolotl ingest an amazing amount. If he's not feeling so good due to lugging round a bellyful of stones, he'd be more inclined to sleep. As I said on Spyyk's - I was amazed at how much of the finegrain stuff he was hauling - but I've seen axies carrying 1cm diameter pebbles around. That sort of thing can cause prolapses - which are often deadly.
You can use aquatic sand, or playsand (which is cheaper - I do). Use an old pillowcase to wash it so the water runs clear, then pop you axie and fish in a spare tank (palstic one will do) with the filter and with as much tankwater as you can. Empty the as much of the rest out as possible (if you can save some in a bucket, then do) and take out all the gravel. Chuck in the sand by the handful to about an inch deep all over, then pop a plate on it. Pour water back in ON the plate - this'll stop it going everywhere. Pop stuff slowly back in, and a fine filter foam in too to take out any dust. When the water is clear again (you might need to rinse the fine foam a few times) you can pop the axie back in again. Spyyk really likes to make holes in the sand by running around in one spot - but he's a weirdo. At this very moment, he's doing a big one along the front by running up and down.
Might be worth installing a small freshwater fluorescent bulb. I have mine on from 12pm to 12am - this keeps my plants healthy, and Spyyk seems to like it, he'll come out when it's on, which is pretty unusual for axies. I did try mornings, sort of 9am to 9pm, but he didn't like that.
Do you get worms from the garden, or from a professional supplier? And do you purge them? Garden worms can carry lots of nasty parasites you see.Try giving him some raw fish and prawn too - they really like that. Make sure they're well boned/shelled first.
(You did really well at answering everything, thanks!)
Interesting that his tail has thinned though. Look in the top of the tank, so you can see straight down over him - is his tail getting wider at all? Sort of rounder - tubelike rather than a flat sliver of bones?
How quickly has his tail been receding?
What colour is he?
It could be nothing, as is often the case, but he may be turning into a true salamander. This is pretty rare though, especially in leucistics (white with black eyes). If he is, and his gills start to recede as well as his tail fattening and losing finnage, don't panic - I can teach you all you need to know. I advise on this on a couple of sites and keep newts too; they're as easy as salamanders.
IBF and the Gang.
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 20:01:38 +1100
Hey IBF,
sorry for the late reply my computer has been stuffing up.
Thanks heaps for all your help! i have put a few new plants in to try make some more hiding places and shade for my axie and he seems to like them cos he is slowly coming out a bit more now so he probably was just having a sulk lol.
Im planing to install a lamp and swap to sand soon i just neen to find where i can get some.
When i feed him i i use worms that i get from the petshop so hopefully there isnt any parrasites in them, but i didnt really know about purging them, i only ran them under running water to get the dirt off. Whould that be bad for him?
lol with my filter i already had it set up just as you said to make the waterfall against the back so i guess i did somthing right ;)
At all the petshops here they all sell axies pretty large around 18-20cm long. but my guy was the smallest and youngest one i could find. He is a Grey/ olive with lighter spots scattered over his back, when his tail thined it happened overnight but it doesnt seem be be getting any rounder or thinner still so i think its nothing.
Thanks again for everything,
Me and my Axie lol i really need to find him a name.
Sent :12 March 2007 11:14:24
As I said in previous email, you seem to be doing everything right.
Purging worms is easy, drop them in a container of tank water for 20 mins, and this'll get rid of earth and such inside them.
I personally reccommend Arcadia or Interpet fluorescent lighting - it's economical, and the freshwater version is perfect for plants. You might find he sulks a bit at first, but he'll get used to it pretty sharpish, especially if you give him leafy plants for a bit of shade.
Anything else I can help with?
IBF
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Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:43:30 +0000
Hey, I’ve read your blog I think its fantastic it’s given me lots of ideas for my axolotl’s tank such as the ping pong ball and even the hammock you really treat your axy well! Anyway I bought my axolotl (Eduardo) a while ago from a local aquatic shop. When I bought him he didn’t have long, fancy, gills like I’ve seen on other axolotls and still to this day doesn’t instead he has short stubby gills. I was wondering whether he will ever grow these fancy gills or maybe in fact he is not an axolotl at all, although I have checked that he meets the description of one. I think he is and was an adult when I bought him but i'm not to sure. The aquatic shop I bought him from labelled him as a marbled axolotl he’s a dark grey/ olive colour and I was wondering if you could try your best to help me find out why he has no fancy gills are they all even supposed to have fancy gills? All the other axolotls in his tank had no fancy gills either.
Thanks a lot for your wonderful blog it has inspired me to do more for my Axy J
I hope you have the time to read this and offer any help or suggestions you canJ
| Sent: | 12 January 2008 10:06:47 |
Good morning!
Photos are always handy, but you have to remember that an axolotl's gills are like fingerprints - each is unique to its owner. Now Spyyk is a foot long, his are actually quite short in comparison to Benny's (Spyyk lives with a bright yellow male).
Short gills can be for all sorts of reasons - sometimes they've been damaged (example; people who have kept them with fish and fish have bitten them), sometimes it's to do with the amount of oxygen in the water (the higher the oxygen level, the less fluffy the gills need to be to get enough - practical!), sometimes they're damaged by bad water conditions (as all the others have short gills, this could be what it was) and sometimes that's just how your 'lotl is (a genetic thing possibly, as his siblings are the same).
Eduardo sounds like a classic example of a wildtype, spots and speckles on him too? Adults are generally about 8-14" long if that's any use to you, most petstores sell them as "teenagers" at about 6" long. :)
I'm always happy to answer questions, if you have any concerns, feel free to send me any others!
My pleasure as always,
IBF.
Photos are always handy, but you have to remember that an axolotl's gills are like fingerprints - each is unique to its owner. Now Spyyk is a foot long, his are actually quite short in comparison to Benny's (Spyyk lives with a bright yellow male).
Short gills can be for all sorts of reasons - sometimes they've been damaged (example; people who have kept them with fish and fish have bitten them), sometimes it's to do with the amount of oxygen in the water (the higher the oxygen level, the less fluffy the gills need to be to get enough - practical!), sometimes they're damaged by bad water conditions (as all the others have short gills, this could be what it was) and sometimes that's just how your 'lotl is (a genetic thing possibly, as his siblings are the same).
Eduardo sounds like a classic example of a wildtype, spots and speckles on him too? Adults are generally about 8-14" long if that's any use to you, most petstores sell them as "teenagers" at about 6" long. :)
I'm always happy to answer questions, if you have any concerns, feel free to send me any others!
My pleasure as always,
IBF.
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:40:44 +0000
A Very Good Morning to you, now i have taken some pictures (attached), 3 with his light on and 4 with the light from the camera please excuse the glare there not the best pictures I could get infact it was just quickly taken I hope you can see clear enough lol. I think he is roughly about 7-8' now so he must have been around 6' when I got him he does have speckles on his under belly but I dont know whether you can see very well on the pictures. I'm not sure how fast they grow but I can tell he has grown since I bought him. Also I have another question ..... I have never handled Eduardo would you suggest handling him if I wanted to or do you think its better to do it when there young every time I put my hand in his tank he gets nervous and apprehensive even when the ping pong ball knocks into him!!... I don't know whether this is due to past experiences at the pet centre i bought him from or??
Sent: 12 January 2008 21:47:22
Hmm, it's hard to tell from the shots, but the rami - the stalky bits - look pretty good. However, I do notice that the fimbriae - fluffy bits - are either very short or non-existant. Whilst it's unusual for axolotl to have very short fim's, it's not particularly serious. It would suggest my comment on bad water quality previously is accurate. These things happen though, either he'll regrow them, or he's just built to have short fims! As long as he's not having to come up to the surface to take gasps of air all the time (some every now and then is fine - they often do it for fun too) then I see no problems.
I will say, he's a beauty of a wildtype, nice creamy underside, good balance of colour, and fabulous speckled markings - well done on your choice!
As to the nervousness, it takes time to get axies 'tame'. The idea isn't to actually pick them up and mell them about, but to make them comfortable with your presence in their territory. Really easy way to do it is to buy soft fishing pellets. I personally use Amino SwimStim softhook 5mm - hold them very gently between your finger and thumb, and hold still.
Your axie will be able to smell them very quickly (they're built to disperse scent under water) and should eventually be unable to resist sniffing them out. He will pick up the courage to rub his nose against it/your finger/thumb and then YOMP it off you. Being bitten really doesn't hurt, it's a strange sensation, but not at all painful. Hold still, and he'll realise. :D (My boys deliberately grab me, it's very funny.)
So, to sum up - has he got fluffy bits? Try tempting him to get used to your hands with treats. And WOW, he's a pretty babe!
Yet again, a pleasure,
IBF.
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Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 14:48:52 +0200
Hello, me and my girlfriend were looking for a piece of advice all over the internet and we have found your blog which we like very much. We are from Slovakia in central europe. My girlfriend has bought her first axolotl some two or three weeks ago. It looks pretty much the same like yours. But today she is having a strange problem with her lotl for the second time. It is 4 months old. When she feeds him (or her, we dont know :) he eats everything and everything looks okey.
Then, 2 days after feeding his tail and back start to float higher than his head is so he has troubles walking on the bottom of the tank. He must swim all the day.. She then lowered the level of water in the tank so that the axolotl doesn´t have problems swimming all the way to bottom. He can stay under the plants. But we are very sad about this condition. First time when it happened, she lowered the level of water and then he seemed to be cured after 4 days. We dont know what is the cause of this problem.
Today it happened again. We dont know if it is important, but it was on the second day after feeding him again. His first food two weeks ago was a little piece of ham (it didnt cause problems) then after two days we gave him a little piece of frozen beef heart then after 2 days we gave him larvas of (I dont know the english word for it - i ll try to explain) "mosquitos" Chironomus. Then after two days the problems came, then we gave him another beefheart and another. He seemed to be cured but today it happened again. Other info : We dont use filtration, but my girlfriend keeps the tank clean.
I am not a native english speaker but I hope I explained the situation to you somehow. If you would be able to give us any little piece of an advice we would be very thankful because we fear about our little fella and we want him to be happy. So how can we stop the floating? What food should we feed him? Thank you for your time.
Sent: 10 May 2008 10:02:56
Your English is very good! Ok - first of all, do you use gravel or sand as the floor?
Also, you don't use a filter - how do you keep oxygen in the water? Do you use a bubbler?
If you don't have a method of putting air into the water, I'm pretty confident I know what the problem is!
Axolotl, as you'll have read on my blog, not only breathe with their gills and skin - but also with basic lungs. It sounds like your little guy is coming up to the surface to swallow air bubbles, as there isn't enough oxygen in the water! Of course, too many air bubbles - and he'll float! :D He's clearly eating very well, so it doesn't sound like a bacterial problem or actual illness.
You did the right thing by lowering the water level and putting in plants, it does help. I would also reccommend getting an internal filter and angle it so the outflow splashes back into the tank - this will help clean the tank better and put more bubbles into the water. Try online aquatics stores or eBay.
As for foods, you seem to be doing the right thing - try also earthworms (make sure there aren't any pesticides or herbicides - weed and bug killers - used in the area you take them from) and keep up with the larvae. You want the red ones (bloodworms) mostly, as these make a very good staple diet.
If there is anything else I can help with, do let me know. It's what I'm here for.
Good luck,
IBF, Spyyk & Benny.
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 13:08:03 +0200
Thank you so much for your help, the bubbler did help a lot. Colita doesn´t need to go all the way up to the surface now and she doesn´t swallow bubbles of air now. But another thing did happen meanwhile :( She did swallow a piece of gravel. It can be seen in her belly. Now the floating problem disappeared, but this is what troubles us. What shall we do now? As soon as we can solve it we are going to change the gravel ground for something more suitable, some bigger stones or I don´t know what.
Thanks for your reply.
Sent: 17 May 2008 17:34:43
*grins* Glad to hear it helped. I did think that would be the case.
As for the gravel she's eaten, there's not a lot you can do about that. So long as it's not a very big peice, she should be ok. Some axolotl can carry bits round for months before passing them or spitting them out.
You're right in that the gravel isn't a good floor - I would recommend sand. You want playsand for children, this you can buy at do it yourself stores quite cheaply. Make sure there's no holes in the bag - this will save you time cleaning it. Open up the bag, and run water into it, stirring the sand with your hands. When the water runs over the sides clear, then you can start.
Pop Colita in a seperate container, and save as much tank water as possible. Any ornaments or plants, keep in the bucket of tank water too - this will keep the useful bacteria on them alive. Take out the gravel and the rest of the water, and put the sand in the bottom of the tank. Put a plate upsidedown onto the sand, and pour your tankwater onto it (this stops all the sand being thrown all over). Put in the ornaments and plants, then finish filling the tank. Replace Colita, and done.
To clean, spot clean using a turkey baster (large pipette) and your normal cleaning with a syphon. The sand is fairly heavy, so it shouldn't suck it up if you keep above the surface of it.
Hope that helps!
IBF & All.
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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:07:15 +0800
Hi, love your blog. gave me a few pracical ideas for my axolotls. Just wondering what kind of shrimp you feed your axies, where you get them and if they are avalible in Australia. Do you think fully grown brine shrimp would work for mine (the biggest stands at 23cm long)
FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE THIS TO YOUR BLOG IF YOU WANT BUT SCRAP MY EMAIL ADDRESS
I hope you keep adding to your blog
Sent: 14 September 2008 16:33:32
Hello, sorry for the delay, it's been a little busy!
Brine shrimp tend to be too small and fiddly for axolotl to bother with - you want frozen or jellied ones if you want brine shrimp, and always use the tipped bowl technique. The shrimp in my tank at the moment are cleaning shrimp, amato or japanese glass shrimp - they're too fast for the axolotl to eat, and clean up leftover food.
There are lots of other tasty alternative foods, a good staple diet being bloodworm cubes, but you can also combine this with things like worms and slugs (from chemical free gardens - try using beertraps to catch slugs) as well as frozen prawns/shrimp.
All of these are widely available in Australia, I know definitely in the Queensland area there are LOTS of stores from Bris right to Cairns to pick up frozen foods. (When I took a trip to Oz, I spent a few days trawling around aquatics and pet shops. Sad, but very good fun!) Storage boxes in the bottom of your freezer are a good idea - stops the rest of the household being grossed out by "dead insects in icecubes!"
If there is any other information I can offer, please do shout!
IBF
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:11:12 +0800
Its ok about the wait, i have taken a while to reply to yours and i m sureyou have better things to do than talk to complete strangers about how tokeep axolotls I have been feeding them mostly bloodworms (frozen) and some times live earthworms, but I find by the time I get home (at the moment) it is a bit dark and cold and i dont want to be digging them up. I think I know how a beer trap works. is it a jar that has been dug into ground level and filled with beer. if so wouldnt the beer effect the axolotl. I am thinking of breeding guppies and feeding them occasionally
Sent: 27 September 2008 15:02:39
The beer doesn't cause much harm if you remember to rinse them (as you would anyway). You only need half an inch or so, or youll end up with drowned molluscs. You can do the same thing with half an orange - eat the orange and just use the peel. Much healthier, and VERY effective. Some fishing supplies stores will stock live baits like earthworms if that helps!
There are a few concerns with feeding off guppies, sometimes the small bones can cause problems - and the big concern is that axolotl gills look an awful lot like a tasty dinner to guppies! You don't want the axies to be hurt, so if you are going to go down the guppy route, at least freeze them first. Personally, I wouldn't condone it, but I know some keepers do use this technique.
Axies respond well to human food as treats, a piece of soaked ham wiggled around can be very tempting indeed, just mind your fingers!
Hope that helps!
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Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:04:51 +0000
hey IBF, i just finished reading spyyk's blog and was really impressed and pleased, it was nice to read so much about a single axxie. lots of info that i hadn't already read on all the usual sites so yeah, a good read :) anyway on to my question...
i'm planning on getting an axolotl very soon. i'm going to buy my tank this week! its 36" by ? second hand. i was just wondering how you cycle a tank for an axxie? i currently have a 100 litre goldfish tank and i cycled that with my first couple of fish. but how do you cycle an axxie tank? do you put any kind of animal in or do you just let the filter do it's thing for a few days?
i can't wait to get my axolotl, and i'm definately gonna use the tips you've suggested, the pringle lid, the toys and the feeding bowl. all great ideas so thanks.
any info on setting up a tank and general things i should know that i might not would be great. i'm always anxious about getting my fish unless i know everything about them, and it's been the same about axolotls.
hope to hear from you soon.
Sent: 20 October 2008 12:47:30
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it, I aimed to put more useful info up than anywhere else! I may do one for bearded dragons soon (I keep a range of odd animals!) as well.
As you have a fish tank already cycled and running, that's a huge benefit. I try not to use animals for tank cycling, as it can be a painful, even a lethal process for them. If you've already got the filter, pop the sponges and media in your current fishtank, near their filter. That will encourage the good bacteria already in the tank to colonise on the new filter materials too.
Fill your new tank as normal, check it carefully for leaks (as it's second hand) and if it's leaking, empty, dry and then reseal with u9 Low Modulus silicone. (You can buy this for about £4 from most glass merchants) Sil takes 24 hours to set, now's a good time to put your sand in for the floor.
Once you're safely filled, put your EMPTY filter in and leave it a few hours until it reaches room temperature, this helps it oxygenate and stops your new bacteria being killed off by a large temperature change. Once it's settled, pop some fishfood in to break down and once your ammonia readings start to spike, put your filter media in, but NOT the carbon. If you can, use liquid test kits rather than dipstrips - they're more reliable. Or get your local petshop to test it. :D
Remember to keep putting fishfood in every day, like you would for normal fish. Once your nitrites have turned into nitrAtes, stick your plants in. This should be twice as fast as normal, as you've "seeded" the tank with good bacteria from the other (about 5 days, but test carefully). You can now put your carbon media in :) As you're in the UK, if you want to send me an address, I'll send you some mosses and hygrophila from my tanks; I have too much at the moment and you're welcome to it! (Check with parents if you're under 18 please!)
You'll need a good sleeping spot with lots of dark shelter, out of the way of the normal flow of the filter for him/her to hide in. And that's about it really - once the waterquality is good and they have somewhere to keep calm and lower their stress levels, you're guaranteed happy axolotl! Amano shrimp are a nice touch, because they're too fast to catch, unlike most other species. Mind you get proper glass shrimp, some of the shrimp families are aggressive.
Anything I missed?
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:52:37 +0000
hey IBF,
thanks so much for your email sorry for my late reply. i didn't get the tank i told you about in the end, the owner described it as 36", it turned out to be 21" so i kindly refused :) bit too small for an axi i think. but i am very soon getting a 35" off my uncle so i'm buying my filter soon to start cycling it in my fish tank. thanks for the info about cycling i'll try stick to what you said as best as i can.
i was just wondering if you'd be able to help me out when it comes to diet. i've read about what people give them but i'm not sure as to what kind of portions to give them and when. any advice? what kind of things do you give spyyk on a regular basis?
thanks again for the help, when i'm all set up it should be just before christmas when i get my axi so i'll send some pictures.
Sent: 24 November 2008 20:35:07
*chuckles* No worries, thank you for getting back to me! It's always nice to see how people are progressing with their pet projects. (Ooer, too much awful alliteration, terrible habit.)
At least you were sensible about the sizing. I will admit, my tank is only a two footer with two male lotls in, but the floor space is very open, Spyyk likes to hide under a clump of moss and Benny sits in or on the tunnel when he's not sat in the amazon swordplant. Space is sensible, it's easier to maintain, and you never know how two axies will respond to each other. My two are very well tempered unless Benny is being deliberately aggressive, but they've not come to serious harm. Clean water is the most important factor of course.
Foodwise, my two get two single frozen bloodworm cubes each every three days, and snack on soft fishing pellets every now and then in between. You can get all sorts of yummy flavours to keep them entertained now. You can also feed them slugs and worms from a pesticide/herbicide free source (don't forget to wash them!) and a variety of frozen and jellied foods. My feeding times are a bit hit and miss, but it keeps them from being over or underweight - a bit like nature I guess. Some axolotl can be "trained" by very regular mealtimes. Some people have trained theirs to look up by tapping on the tank before feeding them at a specific time.
Note: Axolotls are PERMANENTLY hungry. Don't be fooled when they give you that puppydog look!
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:21:32 +0000
Hey thanks a lot again for the info. i think the tank i'm getting is 35" long by about 10" wide or something, so it's not incredibly wide but it's fairly long so there'll be quite a bit of room in there. after i've had one axi for a while i'll probably think about getting another.
also, you mentioned sending some of your moss etc, if you still have an excess and would be willing to spare some that would be great. would you want any money for it? if you can send, let me know and i'll send you my details (i am over 18 so don't worry...)
thanks for getting back, talk to you soon.
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:22:07 +0000
No problem, it's always nice to hear from new people, it's usually Africans wanting to "give" me money, family or work!
Width might be a bit tricky, but axolotl are just as happy to sit ON tunnels! Well scrubbed new drainpipe works quite well, the black stuff is particularly nice, especially if you get some good, well rooted elodea (oxygenating pond "weed") planted along the back of the tank behind it.
My moss is a bit grubby, but if you do want some and some hygro, you're more than welcome to it - wing me an address when you've got your tank and I'll try to find some time to post some your way.
Amano glass shrimp (aka Yamato clear) make for good tankmates - wonderful at cleaning, but do poo a lot. They're also one of the few species too fast for an axolotl to catch and eat.
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:51:15 +0000
Any moss would be much appreciated, my pet store only seems to sell plants i couldn't see any moss.
for a place to sleep and rest, i'm planning on doing the same kind of thing as there is in my fish tank. i've got a large flat rock resting on a few smaller rocks so it makes a hideaway underneath and i'm gonna surround with some plants so it's nice and cozy and safe. ADDRESS REMOVED!
also, what temperature do you keep your tank? i've read on your blog they like to stay cool but warmer than 0. my uncle's thowing in a heater so it'd be good to kow a good temp to set it to.
thanks again
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:17:02 +0000
If you're keeping the tank in doors and live in the UK, don't bother with the heater at all. Axolotls don't mind chilly weather indoors! Too hot is worse than too cold. Mine live in the kitchen, not the best place to keep a tank, but I have a carbon media in my filter to neutralise any gasses. :) The cave hide sounds a good idea, lots of keepers go for a similar design. Make sure it's not easy to knock over/off - axolotls can charge round a tank with quite some force.
Remind me to post it to you as soon as your tank is set up! :) I'll see if the fish have left me any marimo moss too.
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:10:29 +0000
Here's a couple of pics of my fish tank. i'm gonna have a similar rock formation but wider and more secluded to give a nice home for my axi...
| S |
| ent: | 30 November 200 |
Ah, I see. Try to give it a back wall too, so it's nice and dark for them :) You can use low modulus silicone to weld rocks together - U9 from glass merchants does the trick, but do it at least 24 hours beforehand and give it a good rinse, because it does release a lot of vinegary outflow. It's cheaper and just as good as aquatic sil, at about £3.50 for an industrial sized tube. You can get clear or black, and it's very good for coating things too. I've often repaired tanks using U9!
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:46:52 +0000
hello again, firstly i found your youtube account, some cool axi vids up there.
secondly, got my tank yesterday, spent an hour or so cleaning it and setting up the stand. i went to get the sand today, i've put it in and i've put a bit of water in. now it's gone all misty, which i expected it happened with my gravel, but when i pat the sand it puffs out mist, will that be because it's dirty. i'm thinking i should fill the ank so that i can get my filter in then keep disturbing the sand when it clears. that should slowly get rid of the muck. what do you think?
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 21:43:53 +0000
Ah, point one when using sand: rinse first. Easy way is to put it in a bucket, stick a hose in the bottom and let it keep running over the edge until it clears. Your best method now it's IN the tank would yes, to keep stirring the sand by hand manually every couple of hours, and get some fine filter floss in there. You'll need to bin the floss every six hours or so, it'll get crammed full of dust. But well done for taking notice - sand dust can irritate axi gills. If I find half a minute, I'll pack and post some moss for you Weds. :) (I've just got in from a long day at work and am watching my lizards bob and dance...)
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 23:40:41 +0000
so it doesn't matter that it's really fine sand? i'm kicking myself for not finding some fine gravel instead of really fine sand...
Sent: Dec 02 2008 23:45:32 +0000
Sand is better than gravel :)
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:00:29 +0000
hello again, about this "no fish" thing. can you not keep fish with axi's coz they're agressive or coz of another reason? i'm keeping my biological system running with a couple of pearlscale goldfish until i get my axi and it would be nice to keep them in there if it's possible, they're lovely little fish that are really timid and would prob be scared of the axi to go anywhere near him.
Sent: 22 December 2008 22:09:25
2 good reasons not to keep fish and axis together: Fish see axi gills in much the same way as bloodworm - even the tamest of fish will be tempted. Goldfish have surprisingly strong mouths too. The other reason: if it's meaty and moving and not an axolotl, your axolotl will try to eat it. Stressful for both species. Sorry honey. Very few animals outrun a hungry axi - axis are nocturnal, your goldfish isn't...
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Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:16:01 +1100
hi saw your email on a axolotyl posting hope you dont mind me contacting you. my friend was out of food for her adult axolotyl fed him small piece of sausage now it seems stuck in his throat any ideas? thanks
Sent: 10 March 2009 19:35:03
First thing - keep calm.
Fair enough, it's not a great idea to feed them sausages as a rule - there's wheat content and lots of fat in there, not a good diet. If you're out of food, let him/her go hungry for a few days (but no more than 7) as it won't do them too much harm. You can also use earthworms from the garden, so long as you don't use pesticides or herbicides.
Chances are he was just huffing as he swallowed it. You'll be pleased to know they have four different breathing methods, so he's not going to die of lack of oxygen in any hurry. If it IS definitely still jammed in his throat, you're going to need a long pair of ROUND TIPPED tweezers, or thin nose blunt ended pliers. Put your axolotl in a deep, clear bowl of tankwater and carefully extract. This is a very delicate job, so take plenty of deep breaths beforehand. If in doubt, take him/her to a vet.
Keep him calm, add a drop of pure aloe vera oil and you'll both be fine.
Hope that helps, keep me updated.
(I didn't hear back from them in the long run, but no news is good news, as they say!)
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Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:17:45 -0700
I will be recieving some 2-3 inch axolotls soon in the mail. I've done a lot of research and reading on axolotl.com and caudata.com. I've set up the tank with lots of little hiding places, and since I had read that they would eat small stones, the bottom is bare. I had also read that they will shread plants if they are in the tank, but after seeing your axie, I'm thinking otherwise. What would you suggest for the tank before I get them?
Sent: 31 August 2009 21:14:03
I'd first of all suggest separate tanks. You need at least 2 foot by 1 foot per axolotl.
These guys are surprisingly aggressive as they get bigger - ones that grow faster can and WILL eat its siblings. Even with my two adults whom are the same size we had problems - Ben took off poor Spyyk's arm before I realised they needed splitting up. (I was new to the topic myself.) Thankfully I'm a bit of a pro at treating amphibian wounds; we sterilised, amputated the mangled remains and medicated him successfully. He's fully recovered and is even growing his arm and hand back!
You can use playsand in your tanks, or coloured aquarium sands, it gives them good grip without blocking them up. Ben has playsand to go with his yellow colouration (he's xanthanistic) and Spyyk has black and white sands, because he's leucistic - black and white too!
Rinse your sand thoroughly first - pop it in a bucket and stick a hose on steady flow at the bottom - this will stir it, wash out dust etc, but you shouldn't lose too much sand.
I've never had a problem with axies and plants - it's mostly my glass shrimp that shred it! You want to look for Japanese Amato Shrimp only, they're the only ones small and fast enough not to be eaten, whilst being good cleaners.
Tunnels are best for axolotls, somewhere dark they can hide and walk through. Ben's got a proper aquarium tunnel, but Spyyk's got some filed edged drainpipes!
Make sure you have lots of food in stock, baby axolotl have big appetites. A turkey baster will help clean up any mess and leftover food.
Also, cycle your tanks properly to start with - axolotl do NOT tolerate bad water conditions. Get yourself a good liquid test kit, at very least Ammonia and Nitrite. These want to register a consistent 0 after two to three weeks. Fastest way to cycle a tank is to nick some filter media from an already mature tank and put it in the new filter. Put food in the tank to break down and feed the bacteria, and do daily water checks. Better yet, have a big chunk of filter foam next to a filter in a mature tank for a couple of weeks prior to setting your tank up - using this method, I've actually got new tanks rolling within a week.
Make sure you have lots of food in stock, baby axolotl have big appetites. A turkey baster will help clean up any mess and leftover food.
Also, cycle your tanks properly to start with - axolotl do NOT tolerate bad water conditions. Get yourself a good liquid test kit, at very least Ammonia and Nitrite. These want to register a consistent 0 after two to three weeks. Fastest way to cycle a tank is to nick some filter media from an already mature tank and put it in the new filter. Put food in the tank to break down and feed the bacteria, and do daily water checks. Better yet, have a big chunk of filter foam next to a filter in a mature tank for a couple of weeks prior to setting your tank up - using this method, I've actually got new tanks rolling within a week.
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Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:22:39 +0100
hi there was wondering if you could tell me as i setting up a tank for a axotoli was going to buy a external filter a tetratec ex 600 will this be ok also the moss ball you have in your tank is it live or a fake one are live plants best to have also really like themoss swing bed you made can you tell me how you manage it also one other thing was going to have the tank in the front room so i can sit and watch it as i do my fish will it be ok if the heating is on look forward to hearing from you many thanks jo
Sent: 23 October 2009 20:30:15
Righto, from the beginning - Axolotl like a slow water flow, so if you are going for the tetratec external, you at least need a spray bar to distribute the water more evenly. You want plenty of oxygen, but not too much water movement, ok? Axolotl don't like fast water.
Live plants do require maintenance, but if you want to go for fake plants, handle them before you buy them. There must NOT be any sharp or rough edges - axolotl have very soft, very delicate skin - it's too easy for your pet to get hurt.
Moss swings are pretty easy - you just need some nice quality java moss and a good piece of mopani or bog wood. A bit of bamboo fixed firmly to the top will be sufficient support and you need to get good cotton to make a strong string to tie it with - you don't want to risk having it fall on him or her!
Front room will be fine - both Ben and Spyyk's tanks are in the kitchen, one tank by the fridge, and the other on my spare sideboard :) Don't put the tank where sunshine will hit it directly, or by a radiator. Anywhere else will be fine! Obviously, don't go putting a heater IN the tank or filter unit - they won't need it.
As with ANY animal, research it thoroughly first - I'm very happy to answer questions and I'm glad you asked before you set up.
The most important thing you need to remember is that your water conditions need to be PERFECT before introducing your axolotl to the tank. If you need help with things like animal-free safe cycling, let me know.
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:12:52 +0000
Hi there again i am slowly getting there with the tank set up for my axolotli ,
filter is on the way and recieved the hideaway / bed today ,
Getting exticed now so my question to you is the food bowl i know that you use a candle holder but dont really know what sort to go and buy so please can you help is it one that holds a tea light or bigger also where did you get your fire agate from as i have been looking but have had no luck.
Thankyou for taking the time to read and reply to my email look forward to hearing from you
Hi there again i am slowly getting there with the tank set up for my axolotli ,
filter is on the way and recieved the hideaway / bed today ,
Getting exticed now so my question to you is the food bowl i know that you use a candle holder but dont really know what sort to go and buy so please can you help is it one that holds a tea light or bigger also where did you get your fire agate from as i have been looking but have had no luck.
Thankyou for taking the time to read and reply to my email look forward to hearing from you
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:44:57 +0000
Hehehe, setup's my favourite bit! As to bowls, you're looking for something akin to the top half of a small wine glass. Something of a globe, with smooth, rounded edges.
Hehehe, setup's my favourite bit! As to bowls, you're looking for something akin to the top half of a small wine glass. Something of a globe, with smooth, rounded edges.
You lay it on it's side, so it's C shaped, and tuck the frozen cubes under the top lip. They'll melt and drop to the bottom and your axi can stick his head in!
My fire agate was a gift from a friend in Texas, hand picked from the desert. You're best looking on ebay, but be aware it can have sharp edges and it can be VERY pricy.
More than welcome, I enjoy getting non-spam email!
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:07:25 +0000
Thanks for the reply .
I have just finished setting up my external filter and have turned the flow rate down to half and faced the spray bar towards the glass so it runs down the glass so theres hardly any water movement , just been looking through websites on axolotli and have come across that they need to have an air stone what do you reckeon.
Also i am going to get some java fern , moss ball, and maybe some elodea have found some christmas moss as well in lps as these plants are supoose to be easy to look after i've always gone plastic before .
from the annoying novice axolotli wannbe keeper
Thanks for the reply .
I have just finished setting up my external filter and have turned the flow rate down to half and faced the spray bar towards the glass so it runs down the glass so theres hardly any water movement , just been looking through websites on axolotli and have come across that they need to have an air stone what do you reckeon.
Also i am going to get some java fern , moss ball, and maybe some elodea have found some christmas moss as well in lps as these plants are supoose to be easy to look after i've always gone plastic before .
from the annoying novice axolotli wannbe keeper
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:19:44 +0000
You don't need to worry about an airstone if the water is flowing - the movement and splash down the glass should aerate it nicely :)
You don't need to worry about an airstone if the water is flowing - the movement and splash down the glass should aerate it nicely :)
Christmas moss is nice, but it does need good lighting, so pop it to the front and fairly high up if possible.
Any other questions, feel free to shout me!
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:38:36 +0000
Hi there i got my axolotl and have feed her frozen blood worms and tryed her on frozen brime shrimp i was wondering if i would be able to feed her on tubifex freeze dried ,
also i have been looking for sinking trout pellets but can see to find any in small quanties any idea of any places ,
Also can you email me the website address of sypk as cant seem to find it now and find it very helpful
many thanks
Sent: 09 November 2009 19:46:4
Brine shrimp can be a bit messy, but the bowl will keep it tidy. :) Tubifex - you can, but there's not much nutritional value. They're a nice treat though. Best way to handle them is to squeeze the air out under water. Trout pellets - have a look for Amino ones, they're nicest. You can find them in pots at fishing shops.
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Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:11:08 +0000
Hi Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms indigo blue fish, (I think your a boy you sound between 16-30 and only a boy would name a pet Spyyk) sorry I'm gettin carried away
Look I'm sorry to bother you but I'm doing an endangered animal project for school and I chose the Axolotl (ambystoma mexicanum) and I need to send an email to a charity but I keep searching for a charity and I can't find any at all. I was wondering if you know any charities I could contact or whether you have your own Axolotl charity. It would have to be a worldwide charity or a English/Uk based charity as I live in England. Please could you give me some tips or hints and please may you e-mail me directly rather than via your website as I may not have time. I thought that your website was awesome but it's a shame that the last post you got was from 12 March 2007thank you so much for your help. Please I'm really far behind and I'm desperate. Would you also be kind enough to tell me if you have another website and if your not running any websites would you please still tell me. I thought that Spyyk was very cute/cool. How is he doing? You should get him a mate. I suppose they'd probably have loads of babies but if you didn't want young lotls then you could get him a male friend. I'm not asking you to make him gay by the way.
Sent: 29 November 2009 17:22:16
I name all of my pets in an ironic fashion - I have a fish called Weasel in a different tank :)
No problem, I've been in the same situation as you - for charitable work, you're probably best writing to CITES - http://www.cites.org. The CITES contact form can be found here: http://quin.unep-wcmc.org/isdb/commentform.cfm
The search function on the site isn't great, but it does tell you they were certified endangered in June 1975.
I do still get emails from Spyyk's page, it's just the usual repeated stuff however, so I haven't updated it in a while - but I will do as you asked so nicely :D
Charitywise, personally, you're in luck - I do have stuff going on! Next year I'm looking at setting up the Scalies Society (www.scalies-society.co.uk), but it hasn't got going just yet. My aim is to work with the local community of reptile and amphibian keepers, and raise money for existing charities and to fund the rescue of abandoned/mistreated pets.
Spyyk used to live with another axie called Benny, but Benny accidently bit his hand off, so we put them in separate tanks with their own shrimp to keep things clean and entertaining. His hand has since successfully grown back, and he still loves ham as a snack!
I hope that helps as a start - if you need any more info, you came to the right place.
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Send me an email anytime! indigo_blue_fish AT hotmail.co.uk
If you don't want your question posted here, just let me know!
IBF.
Questions or anything else you want adding?
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About Me
- Indigobluefish
- I'm a Blogging Beardies Banker, with a fab long-distance family, wonderful partner and worldwide friends.
