Axolotl tank

These are my axolotls and their tank mates, a mix of pearl Danios and giant Danios.

An Axolotl (pronounced Ax-oh-lot-ul), scientific name Ambystoma mexicanum, is not a fish but an amphibian, a salamander, part of the order Caudata/Urodela. The name "Axolotl" comes from the Aztec language, "Nahuatl". One of the most popular translations of the name connects the Axolotl to the god of deformations and death, Xolotl, while the most commonly accepted translation is "water-dog" (from "atl" for water, and "xolotl", which can also mean dog).

Prior to the growth of Mexico city in the basin of Mexico, the Axolotl was native to both Lake Xochimilco, and Lake Chalco. Of these two high altitude freshwater lakes, only the remnants of Xochimilco as canals can be seen today.

The Axolotl is a fascinating creature for a number of reasons, including its grotesque appearance, its ability to regenerate, and primarily the fact that it exhibits the phenomenon known as neoteny. Ordinarily, amphibians undergo metamorphosis from egg to larva (the tadpole of a frog is a larva), and finally to adult form. The Axolotl, along with a number of other amphibians, remains in its larval form throughout its life. This means that it retains its gills and fins, and it doesn't develop the protruding eyes, eyelids and characteristics of other adult salamanders. It grows much larger than a normal larval salamander, and it reaches sexual maturity in this larval stage. Another term to describe this state is "perennibranchiate". The animal is completely aquatic, and although it does possess rudimentary lungs, it breathes primarily through its gills and to a lesser extent, its skin.

Axolotls are carnivores, implying they require a meat-based diet. They have rather rudimentary teeth, designed for gripping rather than biting or tearing. As a result, their food is generally swallowed whole, so anything they want to eat must fit into their mouths. The name "Ambystoma" means cup-mouth, and axolotls do have large, wide mouths. When an axolotl wants to eat something, it opens its mouth suddenly and water rushes in, along with the food or anything else around (such as parts of other axolotls, or pieces of gravel). This vacuum action often results in a sudden lurch of the axolotl up into the water and then the animal settles down again.

There is a risk in keeping fish or other live creatures in a tank with an Axolotl, both to the fish or invertebrates and the Axolotls themselves. Their long feathery gills can be very tempting to fish, and any fish small enough to fit in their wide mouths is a potential target. To date I have had good luck keeping the Danios with the Axolotls, they are top swimmers and very quick, and not prone to pick at the Axolotls gills.

Much of this information was taken from http://www.axolotl.org/index.htm

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Axolotl
• axolotls

[minuotojas]

are you stupid? axolotls can't be with other fishes, because he will eat's them xDD

[kyryah]

@minuotojas No, I am not stupid, but thank you for asking. Obviously, based on the video, axolotls can be with fish (not "other fishes," since axolotls are not fish, they are amphibians.)

[missman0009]

well you are doing something wrong either those axolotls are in tropical water which is bad, or those Danios are in cold water which is also bad. so which is it?

[kyryah]

@missman0009 I have been keeping fish for over 20 years. In that time, I have had more fish die from heaters malfunctioning and boiling the fish than from not using a heater. I have not used heaters at all for the last ten years or so, in a single one of my tanks. My fish grow normally, spawn, and are healthy. Those particular danios are 4" long and have spawned MANY times. I have had Discus spawn in room temp water as well, growing and healthy. There are exceptions to EVERY "rule."

[FPSMYLIFE]

Is that a shrimp of some sort on top of the log?

[kyryah]

@FPSMYLIFE Yes. I have ghost shrimp and wild type neocaridinas in there. Both breed pretty profusely.

[SuperSmokinjs]

@missman0009 Are you a Miss or a Man or one seriously confused dude? My guess is the fish are their for food so it doesn't really matter if its cold or not the're gonna get eaten!

[FuzzKitty141]

@TheChgz Okay thats good.

[TheChgz]

@FuzzKitty141 lol its r8, one of my friends from college bought them off me

[FuzzKitty141]

@TheChgz Oh no! Im sorry!

[TheChgz]

@FuzzKitty141 i was promiced one from a family member but they desided to keep it and get some fish

[FuzzKitty141]

@TheChgz wait, why did you buy them without a tank? Just asking.

[Timespartan111]

@kyryah plus danios are cool water. this guys just following the petsmart and petco rules.

[J0rgeification]

that is the best tank ive ever seen .. :D nice music too ... i have goldfishes my favorite .. :) but nice tank !! better than mine .. :\