Axolotl
Alternative Name(s): Mexican Walking Fish
Scientific Name(s): Ambystoma mexicanum
Category: Freshwater Invertebrate
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 33cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 105 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 36" x 12" x 15" pair
Water Temperature Range: 5-22°C
Water pH Range: 0.0-0.0
Water Hardness Range: 0-0 dGH
General Information: Aquatic Salamanders that spend their entire lives in the water and never grow out of their larval stage. Limited ability to regrow limbs. Prefer subdued light. Feed daily when growing and every 2 to 3 days when adult.
Tank Requirements: 10-12" water depth, pebble or sand substrate, bogwood and stones fo them to investigate and a tight-fitting lid.
Diet Requirements: Bloodworm, earth worms, river shrimp, fish portions, gut loaded insects. Some will eat turtle sticks and sinking pellets. Liver damage if overfed on food such as prawn, beefheart or liver.
Compatibility: Cannot be mixed with other species. When young can be cannibalistic. Will eat fish and frogs, and delicate gills are nipped by fish. Food recognition issues solved by moving prey item.
Recommendations: Plenty of hiding places are needed. Slow current with a good filter. They enjoy climbing on good strong plants. Most people use sand to avoid ingestion , but you could go substrate free.
Common Problems: Fungus, poor water quality and lacking o2, or with introductions lacking quarantine, excessively high or low temps. Obesity from fatty diet, territorial aggression with limb loss, egg retention.
Similar Species: Tiger Salamanders, Mud puppies and some Newt species are very similar during their larval stage.
Sexing: Can be sexed after about 6 months. Sexual maturity can take up to a couple of years depending on food and water quality.
Breeding: Lay many eggs on plants. If left in the tank parents will eat them. If you want to raise some then they require plenty of food such as daphina and plenty of space, floating clusters of elodia.
Author(s): Fishadmin, Fishlady | Photo: | Views: 41161
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