Little Axel doing what he does best!...Posing!

Hi, from me and Axi
I've had Axi now for about 3 months.
When I first got him he was pale, small and missing both of his right limbs. The shop was unable to tell me his exact age so I'm unsure of how old he is but he seems happy and healthy now!
At first I had a bare bottomed tank, and all was well but it seemed that the reflection of himself on the bottom was stressing him out, especially considering there were a lot of other lotls in the shop, so regrettably I got gravel...(I know, bad decision) he ate some and I knew it was time to move to something different!-Bigger stones! And that did the trick, he's as happy as ever!
I'm still new and getting used to the ways of my little lotl, and appriciate any tips what so ever.
I'm still unsure of the sex of my little friend, but I'm not even sure he's old enough to tell.
I'm enjoying watching him grow and it's great to say he's fine and recovered from his missing limbs and has all four now!
I've attached some pictures, from then to now to show the progress of my little Axi.
Post pictures of yours with any tips you may have!

What a difference, it looks like a completely different axolotl! What a beautiful little guy!

What a difference, it looks like a completely different axolotl! What a beautiful little guy!

Aww, cute little dude!

- You may want to remove those 'bigger' stones at some point too - they look to be a little small by the picture, and Axolotls WILL swallow anything smaller than their heads (and since he's growing his head is going to get bigger) You'd be surprised what will fit in their mouths.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/images/articles/illness/xray_post_95633.jpg

Also at the size he is I think you should move him onto earthworms to eat - bloodworms aren't good enough nutrition for adult axis.

What a cutie!

As posted above those stones won't be ideal for long. You'll be amazed how quick they can grow.

ClockworkParrot said:

What a difference, it looks like a completely different axolotl! What a beautiful little guy!

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I thought that too! Hehe
He's doing so well. not bad for my first Axi, eh? Hehe

Kaini said:

Aww, cute little dude!

- You may want to remove those 'bigger' stones at some point too - they look to be a little small by the picture, and Axolotls WILL swallow anything smaller than their heads (and since he's growing his head is going to get bigger) You'd be surprised what will fit in their mouths.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/images/articles/illness/xray_post_95633.jpg

Also at the size he is I think you should move him onto earthworms to eat - bloodworms aren't good enough nutrition for adult axis.

Click to expand...

Wow that picture scares me! ): I'd never want to put him in danger! Maybe I should look for something different, what would you reccomend? He didn't seem too happy on the bare bottomed tank. ):
And I've heard that, but I've also heard earthworms can carry parrisites? I'm scared of feeding him something and making him ill, I fed him a few brine shrimp the other day and he loved them (not too many as i wasn't sure how he'd be with them) but maybe I should try to get him some earthworms!

snuggly time said:

What a cutie!

As posted above those stones won't be ideal for long. You'll be amazed how quick they can grow.

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Isn't he just!
The stones look smaller in the picture than they are in person, however maybe an alternative would be best soon, any reccomendations as I said, he didn't seem too happy on the bare-bottomed tank.
He is a happy little fella and of course, I'm still learning as he is after all my first lottl.
Thank you for the tip, I was surprised at how much he's grew already! I really didn't think they grew so rapidly!

EleRose said:

Wow that picture scares me! ): I'd never want to put him in danger! Maybe I should look for something different, what would you reccomend? He didn't seem too happy on the bare bottomed tank. ):
And I've heard that, but I've also heard earthworms can carry parrisites? I'm scared of feeding him something and making him ill, I fed him a few brine shrimp the other day and he loved them (not too many as i wasn't sure how he'd be with them) but maybe I should try to get him some earthworms!

Click to expand...

If you get some earthworms that are from a area that doesn't have pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer etc. than they are going to be free of those. Just take a look at them and make sure they aren't limp, and don't have anything unusual about them and they are most likely fine. Almost everybody feeds their axies earthworms as their staple diet, and I haven't heard of any problems, so I am sure yours will be fine. Plus earthworms are the best thing you could feed him, very nutritious ( for an axie ). -Seth

sde said:

If you get some earthworms that are from a area that doesn't have pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer etc. than they are going to be free of those. Just take a look at them and make sure they aren't limp, and don't have anything unusual about them and they are most likely fine. Almost everybody feeds their axies earthworms as their staple diet, and I haven't heard of any problems, so I am sure yours will be fine. Plus earthworms are the best thing you could feed him, very nutritious ( for an axie ). -Seth

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So really, knowing I don't use any of those in my garden it will be safe enough for little Axi to eat without any problems if I were to get one out of the garden?

So really, knowing I don't use any of those in my garden it will be safe enough for little Axi to eat without any problems if I were to get one out of the garden?

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Yes, as long as the worm looks normal - no bumps, not limp, not yellowy etc.- and it will be fine. -Seth

If you're worried about getting them from the garden there's plenty of worm breeders online. I buy mine from Yorkshire Worms because I don't have a garden. They have a website and also an ebay shop.

You could try sand as a substrate. Other alternatives can be sticking slate or aquarium background to the floor to give them grip. If you do that make sure you glue it in so the dirt can't get trapped underneath. I also should be aquarium safe silicone/glue.
Mine is on bare bottom and it's so easy to keep him clean. He doesn't seem to mind it. He slides a little on the floor but he's used to it.

You can use sand on the bottom. Preferably pool sand as it's super fine. It helps avoid little poops and food going between cracks of the pebbles and is a breeze to clean. Plus it's really cute when they dig in it !