Last Updated on July 21, 2021 by Fumipets
Legend has it that the original axolotl was a God who changed his appearance to escape being sacrificed. Even if the axolotl isn’t a deity, it’s still a fascinating creature. An axolotl is a tiny salamander that belongs to the amphibian family.
Unlike most amphibians, axolotls do not go through a life change when they reach adulthood. Instead, they live in water all of the time. Frogs, for example, go through metamorphosis and move from life in the water to life on land.
Where to buy Axolotl? As a first-time buyer, we would always recommend purchasing an Axolotl in-store, preferably from a respected breeder rather than a generic big-brand pet shop. If that isn’t an option for you, you may purchase online; we’ve included many reputable internet vendors below.
Features
An adult axolotl, which is approximately 18-24 months old, is between 15 and 45 centimetres in length and weighs between 2 and 8 ounces. It features lidless eyes, a broad head, long fingers, frilled grills, and a long tail, much as other salamander larvae. Females have a broader body and a swollen cloaca, while males have a swollen cloaca. They breathe via their gills, but they may sometimes swallow surface air to augment their oxygen supply.
Because of the four distinct pigmentations in their bodies, axolotls are known to change colour often. The natural type is olive-brown with gold speckles, while the mutants may be gold with gold eyes, pink with black eyes, grey with black eyes, or grey with black eyes and black. They have been seen changing their camouflage to conceal, but only to a limited degree.
Distribution and habitat
The axolotl’s native habitat is Lake Xochimilco, which is near Mexico City. They live near the lake’s bottom and along the canals. Axolotls, unlike other amphibians, do not develop into air-breathing adults and therefore spend most of their life under the water. Because transformation requires a lot of energy, these creatures prefer to live in cold, high-altitude settings. Nonetheless, axolotls may be made to metamorphosis using iodine or by eating iodine-rich food.
Worms, crustaceans, insect larvae, molluscs, and tiny fish are all eaten by axolotls in the wild. Salamanders hunt by smelling their prey, then snapping it and sucking it in like a vacuum cleaner. Axolotls have no true predators in the lake, but their greatest danger is huge fish, which devour the juvenile axolotls.
The reproduction of the axolotl is poorly understood. They require 6-12 months to develop in the larval stage. Females develop at a slower rate than men. The commencement of the mating season is signalled by the rising temperatures in the lake.
Males usually throw spermatophores into the lake and then try to attract females to them. The females then choose the sperms and fertilise them to create eggs via their cloaca. During the spawning phase, the females release an average of 400 to 100 eggs. The deposited eggs are typically connected to a rock or plant, and the female may reproduce several times in a season. Larvae’s tails and gills are typically visible in the egg, and hatching takes 2 to 3 weeks.
How to buy axolotl
There are many reasons why one should get an axolotl. Before you begin, make sure you have a basic understanding of the amphibian. Learn about the types of environments that are conducive to its survival. Because this is an amphibian, not a fish, a freshwater tank will be ideal. You should also be familiar with the many kinds of axolotls.
GFP Lucy and GFP wild type, for example. GFP simply refers to the fact that they glow yellow-green when exposed to a blue LED or blacklight. Melanoid, normal albino, albino melanoid, and golden albino are some of the other axolotl varieties. Make sure you buy axolotl at recommended prices when you go shopping. They are not prohibitively costly; in fact, you can buy them for as little as $50. You can find better deals on the market than this.
We would recommend purchasing an Axolotl in person if you are a first-time customer. You may not only see what you’re receiving in person, but you could also receive some great advice.
The second best location to get axolotl is on the internet. Axolotl may be found at a variety of online retail shops at reasonable costs. Make sure you choose a reputable website that sells amphibians. Check the website’s authenticity and customer reviews to ensure it is not a fraud. Scammers run online eCommerce shops for fraudulent purposes, and there are plenty of them on the internet these days. The finest axolotl seller is one who raises the amphibians. You’ll get the greatest price if you can locate someone who grows them from eggs till they mature.
You should check out the following online shops:
You should search for a provider that can help you with delivery. The provider should be able to guarantee live axolotl delivery 100 percent of the time. Temperatures should be kept at specified levels throughout packing and transit to guarantee their survival. If the provider shows up with a dead axolotl, they should consider replacing it or refunding your money.
Once you’ve gotten your axolotl, make sure you’ve set up a tank for it to live in. Make sure you get a filter for your tank; the price will vary depending on the size of the tank you choose. You’ll need to add prime to the water as well. Chlorine or any other kind of chemical will kill or damage your axolotl if the water is not treated. You should provide your axolotl with a spot to hide in your tank.
Because it is in their instinct to conceal, make sure you provide them anything without spikes or sharp edges. You’ll also need a thermometer to check the water’s temperature. You should give the axolotl something to eat. Frozen blood worm cubes and frozen brine shrimp are favourites.
There should be no gravel, rocks, or stones in the tank. Anything smaller than an axolotl will be turned away. They should not be kept with other animals since they may nip or infect them. Simply add another axolotl if you have extra room. You should never clean the tank or anything that comes into contact with it with soap. Use a turkey buster to remove faeces and wasted food. Please do not touch the axolotl if you are tempted. The slime that shields them may be harmed.
Where can I get an axolotl?
Axolotls are one-of-a-kind animals that, despite their peculiar features, may be kept as pets. If you’re looking for an exotic breeder or dealer to purchase an axolotl from, you should look for an exotic breeder or dealer. You may do your own research or get advice from a veterinarian on where to locate axolotl.
Unlike other pets, the axolotl needs more attention. It all starts with the surroundings they live in and ends with the stuff they consume. Everything must adhere to the established guidelines. They are amphibious animals, which means that they can breathe via their gills and lings. However, they are unable to thrive on land and must thus dwell in freshwater. This is due to the fact that their bodies are composed entirely of cartilage and are thus ductile. Because their skin is sensitive to light, water serves to diffuse light that might otherwise harm the axolotl’s skin.
Tank requirements
Axolotls need a tank that is between 15 and 20 gallons in size. This is due to the fact that they only reach a maximum length of one foot. It is not necessary to fully fill the tank with water. Just make sure there’s enough water to cover the axolotl by at least a foot. You don’t need to keep them in the sun or offer warmth since their natural habitat is chilly. Concentrate on temperatures between 57 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure the new tank has filters before introducing the axolotl. This helps in the settling of the water as well as the filtering of germs. While utilising the test kits available at aquarium shops, you should keep a watch on the water’s parameters. Make sure the water is cycled infrequently, such as every two weeks, and that at least 40-50 percent of the water is removed and replaced with conditioned tap water.
It should not be either too hot or too chilly. You should also make sure that anything near the bottom of the tank is removed. If not removed, objects like uneaten food and faeces may produce ammonia, which is harmful to axolotls. Ammonia is extremely dangerous to the axolotl and can even kill it. You should never strike your axolotl with your syphon by mistake, since this may result in severe physical damage. If you’re having difficulty working with a syphon while the Axolotl is in the tank, try removing it.
Finally, most axolotls grow to be 10 inches long, with just a few reaching 12 inches. They attain sexual maturity when they are approximately 8 inches long, which may take as little as six months or as long as a year. Proper care is essential, as is avoiding breeding them too soon, since this may have a negative impact on the amphibian’s life. If properly cared for, they have been known to live up to 15 years.
