Photo: Newbie and her Axolotl......

Hi everyone, i just thought i would share some pics of my baby Rexi! (Tyrannosaurus Rex)

He, i think he's a he, is 6-8 months old, and is 10" long.

He's just been moved into this new tank, as he grew too big for his old one.

He's still adjusting, and i was worried when he stopped eating, but after reading on here, i know he just needs to settle in. :happy:

Hi Tarja,

Welcome to the forum!

Tarja said:

He's still adjusting, and i was worried when he stopped eating, but after reading on here, i know he just needs to settle in. :happy:

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If I may, I would recommend you remove the gravel as it is of the size to be easily swallowed by Rex and when he does swallow it he can become impacted. Impaction causes great discomfort to the axolotl when he attempts to pass the stone and impaction can also lead to death.

When impacted, axolotls will also tend to stop eating.

The best substrates are sand as it is easily passed when swallowed by the axolotl or bare bottom tank. These substrates also make life easier when keeping the tank clean.

Suitable sand substrates are childrens play sand (cheapest option and looks great), pool filter sand or fresh water aquarium sand sold at most aquariums (this sand tends to be more pricey).

The PVC piping and plants will keep Rex entertained I am sure.

Cheers Jacq.

While your tank looks very nice , the substrate will probably cause your axolotl many problems. When an axolotl feeds it gulps in its food, plus anything close by.....including stones/ glass bits etc. This in turn will potentially stay inside your axolotl and block it up. You should remove all the substrate and either leave the floor bare or replace with sand.

Yeah i was thinking about that earlier!

I originally had normal gravel in there, and changed to the larger stones, When i first got i, it was too big for his mouth. But he just keeps growing!!!!

i will have to look into some sand i think, i don't like the look of the bare bottom, just looks too, well, bare! lol

can anyone clarify for me that Rexi is a boy?

Tarja said:

Can anyone clarify for me that Rexi is a boy?

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I think Rex is actually a girl. I can't see any distinct bulge to the cloaca that would identify the axolotl as male. Someone with sharper eyes may spot something I haven't.

Are the toenails black? This also indicates maturity but I can't make them out in the photos...

Cheers Jacq.

Thanks Jacq, no the toenails are clear/white. So my big boy could be a big girl? lol:happy:

Tarja said:

Thanks Jacq, no the toenails are clear/white. So my big boy could be a big girl? lol:happy:

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If the toenails are still clear/white I would say your axolotl is still a juvenile. So the good news is, it could still be a boy!

Axolotls tend to 'mature' from 5-6 months of age. The toenails will darken on a 'pale' shade axolotl and the toenails will whiten on a 'dark' shade axolotl.

It's best to wait a year before trying to sex an axolotl with accuracy. Sometimes you can be lucky and the 'bulge' will develop very quickly immediately identifying the gender. Sometimes though a male axolotl will develop very slowly and is often mistaken for a female.

So call it "Rex" or "Rexina" - he or she won't come when called anyway!

It's pretty big to be 6-8 months old. But some axolotls can take 18 months to sexually mature. So you might have to wait some time yet.

Oks, so i finally took onboard the advice i was given, and this is what i came up with!!!

I think it looks heaps better with the sand, so thanks guys! GRAVEL GONE!!! lol

That looks lovely!

Great colour scheme, great everything really.

I'm sure Rex/Rexina will enjoy snuffling around that setup looking for things to uproot.

Cheers Jacq.

PS. Renovations are great fun aren't they?

That looks gorgeous, well done! :happy:

s\he is starting to settle in, again! I just checked on her/him and s/he's in the tunnel! i got so excited!

I had fun re-organising, but i hate the aftermath, s\he gets really upset and sulky when i re-arrange things....

And thanks heaps, i love my baby, and it's good to know that i'm doing the right thing for him/her!!