I don't know where this wild type axolotl came from but it seems to be growing up from the bottom of the tank, how do I know when to cut the cord?

His name is Churro and he is a gossip axolotl 😁

Dreaming about worms

This guy really likes to stare at me

And dig

He's a very healthy dwarf

Do yall like him?

My two axolotls who have shared a tank for several years are no longer getting along, we've had several bite incidents and I no longer think it is safe for them to be together. I don't have space for a second tank and I really want to avoid rehoming one as I love them both, but I will if that's the only option. If I separated my tank into sections like this, would that be enough space for each of them?

I’ve had my axolotl 3 years now and his tanks always been the same 3-4 hides 2 fingers some fake plants but those fake plants I just took out as they were fading, what’s some stuff I can buy so he has something to do, I read that they like air stones and like the bubbles going over them is that true? I’m also thinking I could go buy some cheap cherry shrimp or sum other type of small shrimp so he could eat and hunt them, idk just something I thought about he seems bored.

Hello fellow Lotl parents and and fellow lotl begginers who like me, though(or think if you haven't done it) they knew better than the experienced keepers in this thread.

I come to you with my dumb story.

When I started lurking and getting interested in owning this big responsibility I thought it was ridiculous to need a chiller in places like in the United states where you can easily adjust ambient temperature (central AC) and use fans to lower the tanks water temp to the desired range.

Please listen to the Advice and be ready foe the responsibility that Axolotls entail.

My central unit started cooling slightly less than usual on Sunday, I thought no biggie, the temperature outside is 92°F, so 74° inside the house is fine. Plus the fans were keeping the tank at 65/66. Come Monday(yesterday) our temps are reaching 80's so you see me scrambling for my frozen water bottles to keep the tank water temperature down to keep my buddy healthy, I decided at that point I couldn't keep risking my buddy's health like that and got the chiller, however it wasn't scheduled to arrive until Thursday. I fogured I could keep this cold bottle thing going a little longer. Well we got the AC technician come today and told us to stop using the AC completely, in the middle of summer... in Texas.. where temps reach the 100's...

THANKFULLY the chiller arrived earlier today, I was able to get it set up and running. My buddy is back in the tank with temperature in the high 60's (to help him reacclimate as the water temperature goes down) like it was in the temporary tub and should be good from here on out.

Don't be dumb like I was or you'll end up having to get the chiller anyway and it could be at the worst possible time financially.

If you're thinking of doing something dumb like me. Just don't. Wait until you're able to get the chiller and the correct tank as well as the cycle going.

"Cooling fans" WILL NOT WORK long term. They could possibly help bridge a gap between switching of filters or chiller units but definitely not ling term.

Signing off, a very dumb lotl dad who regrets not having gotten the chiller initially like I should've to keep my buddy from this stress.

This forum has offered my daughter and I bunch of assistance recently, with setting up, water balancing, establishing our cycle, and most recently with the health and wellbeing of our two new frilled-neck lizard-fish.

After some worrying behaviour on day 1 (barrel rolls and white spots) I ended up taking them both to the specialist vet in my area (shout-out to Brisbane Birds and Exotics in Brisbane, Australia - the best specialist veterinary clinic I have ever seen). Both had a full examination, including a small scrape test of the spots on the golden one. Aside from being slightly underweight (common when under some stress) they were both given a clean bill of health! We're stoked, and both of our new little buddies appear to be well settled and happy in their new home.

So with that in mind, I thought I'd share some photos of Frosty (Leucistic) and [placeholder name while my 10 y/o makes up her mind] (Golden)! They're both gorgeous, and very chill. Both are eating a little more than they were when they came home, and hanging out in hidey-holes, or on top of one another! My daughter is beside herself with joy, and I'm stoked they're both acclimitising to their new home so well.

A massive thank you to everyone on here who helped us out and offered advice. It was so great to get so many perspectives from people who have been at this for such a long time. You're all loved and appreciated, even if I didn't reply to your specific message. Know that I did read them all!

Anyway, enjoy our two new, derpy little guys!

Should I stop feeding my axolotl brined shrimp?

My axolotl is going on 6 years old in November now. I have owned him for five years, and recently I have just given him a big upgrade when it comes to maintenance, or so I thought. Some context: Since he was a baby he has not liked worms. He wont eat earth worms, and will only eat premium brined shrimp. I trained him to go to his food jar where I put in a cube of brined shrimp once every four days. Within the last couple of weeks I have started cycling a couple of gallons in his tank (2 in 2 out) once a week, and I have also bought him a new air pump which helps the sponge filters a lot more. I live in colorado, and it is starting to get hot this time of year, so sometimes the chiller and the fan aren’t able to keep the temperature between 60-65 F, so I have been using iced water bottles in his tank that I replace every few hours. I have also been cleaning his sponge filter sponges in the old tank water as I cycle his tank. Recently though, within the last couple of days his tank has gotten cloudy, and has a distinct fish smell to it. DeepSeek tells me that the reason is is the brined shrimp left overs from his jar. I have been giving him brined shrimp for years at this point, and I have never had a problem with it. Any advice would be great.

Edit 1: Before anyone asks, his gills are perfectly fine. No curls in them whatsoever. He is perfectly healthy, and very goofy.

Parameters are good
Tank is cycled
Air stone
Live plants

How can I make his gills bigger I’ve only had him for a week and this is what he looked like in the store

Oc

Please help

First axolotl! He’s been much more active and putting on some much needed weight since his re homing.

There was a sudden heat wave where temperatures are hitting the highest they have all summer, in the middle of the night my tubbed axolotls water temp hit 69°F and it scared the shit out of me she pooped everywhere as well. I cleaned it and did a water change and put her in cooler water which she seemed fine with but I need some advice on how to keep her temperature while tubbed low, and if it would be worth it to just water chiller the tub itself. I’m really worried for when it gets even hotter. I have two fans for evaporation bounce between putting an ice pack around the outside of the tub or frozen treated ice that’s contained floating on the water but it only works so well. Please help her tank is almost done cycling and I want her to make it to that point to enjoy it where I can also keep it cold more easily 🙏🙏🙏🥺

Probably brought them up when I grabbed stones from a river I had to grab some with biofilmbecause my cycle wasn't cycling after 2 months

If they're dangerous, what should I use to treat it? sadly "no planaria" is not available in my country

Hi I just got some rocks and all the stuff to start cycling my tank before getting an axolotl and I’m setting up the tank and thought I’d use some rock to make a cave for them but it seems light gets in a little bit and I wonder if it’s too much for them since they don’t seem to like light a lot

Hi everyone!

I’m currently enrolled in a postgraduate program / diploma course focusing on axolotls, and I’m looking to connect with a professional, researcher, or experienced practitioner who works directly with them.

While I’m learning a lot through my coursework, I’d love to deepen my understanding of a few specific topics and ask a couple of practical questions.

If you have professional experience working with axolotls (or can point me toward someone who does) and wouldn't mind sharing some insights, please feel free to leave a comment or send me a DM!

Thanks in advance for your time and help! 😊

I’ve legit been trying to establish a cycle for 3 months now. Still won’t take. I add ammonia and quick start regularly. Tips greatly appreciated.

I have an axolotl, i was wondering what type of cave would be best to get, i used to have a resin painted one but over time, pieces of started pealing off small enough for my axolotl to suck in, eventually it did and i had to help him or her through the constipation. I was looking for either clay, slate, or natural rock but theres not many cools options out there. are there any other kinds ? Or you guys know where to find good ones ?

Bonjour pensez vous que mon Axolotl a un gros ventre ? Il n’arrive pas à nager…