An axolotl, also commonly called an absolut, is an aquatic salamander related to the tiger salamander. When kept in an aquarium, this creature never reaches the adult stage and remains in the larval stage. It is not difficult to care for and can turn into a cute companion animal. If kept in a correct environment and with the right attention, it lives on average 10-15 years.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Organizing the Right Environment
Step 1. Prepare the aquarium
For a single blanket you can use a 40-liter tub; however, the more space available, the better. Choose the largest aquarium you can keep in the house, an 80 liter model is perfect.
- Fill it completely with water, as you would for fish; in this case, you can safely use the tap.
- The aquarium should always be closed with the lid, as this salamander sometimes jumps out of the container.
Step 2. Install a filter
If you want to take care of the axolotl, you need to install a water purification system; the best choice is an external basket model, available in pet stores.
Whatever type of filter you decide to install, remember that it should have a spraybar or other water flow control mechanism; too strong a current could cause the animal to stop eating
Step 3. Get some substrate
This is the material that covers the bottom of the aquarium and the best for the sunbathing is that made up of large pebbles; do not buy sand or fine gravel, as the animal may accidentally swallow it.
Step 4. Organize the lighting system
You need to provide the same light you would use for fish, as too bright can put stress on the animal. If you want to install lamps, choose those for aquarium plants; the salamander does not need a lot of light to feel good, the plant is more useful to you to observe it.
Minimize how often you turn on the light; the implant can give off too much heat and be harmful to you
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Assolotto in Good Health
Step 1. Make sure there is the right temperature
Usually, you don't need a heater to keep the water hot; the absolotti generally live in waters with 16-21 ° C, that is the average ambient temperature. This is the reason you don't need to heat the aquarium.
However, if you live in a very hot or very cold region, make sure the room you keep the tub is always at a constant temperature and at the correct level. It may be necessary to turn on the heating or air conditioning system in some months of the year
Step 2. Feed him the right foods
You can buy frozen earthworms or glycerae from pet stores; they represent his staple diet, but you can add frozen shrimps and chicken pieces as "morsels"; in general, do not offer live prey.
Feed him every other day for half an hour; offer him only the amount of food he can consume in this amount of time
Step 3. Change the water regularly
Remove 50-60% of the tub water once a week and replace it with fresh water; if your home system is equipped with a filtration system, you can use tap water.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Assolotto Safe
Step 1. Separate the juveniles from the adult ones
If the salamanders have reproduced, you must remove the "pups" from the tank using a net and transfer them to a separate aquarium; adult animals can prey on young ones, so it's not safe to keep them all together.
Step 2. Do not keep other animals in the same aquarium
These salamanders should remain alone in a tank for their exclusive use; from time to time they tolerate the presence of a similar of similar size and age. However, in the wild they prey on other types of fish or aquatic creatures; Generally speaking, an axolotl aquarium should only contain these animals.
Step 3. Don't touch it
The axolotl is not a friendly animal; he does not need human contact to be happy, on the contrary, being handled creates a lot of stress for him. Only touch it when it is strictly necessary, for example when you have to remove the puppies from the aquarium; remember that it may also bite.
