Pictures of various axolotls

Pictures of axolotls

Pictures of axolotls

Monday, February 21, 2011

Cruel, but delicious!



When someone asks me about my fish, the person standing next to them will go "What?" I'll say "We're talking about my Axolotls" which is usually followed my an even louder "What?!"
Today i'll be giving you an in-depth look of what is meant by the term "Axolotl"

If someone asks you what an Axolotl is. The normal response would be "A fish with Legs" This is far from the truth of what an actual axolotl is. Axolotl is the term given by the Aztecs to this mysterious creature. The axolotl is a wild water salamander or water dragon found in the wild rivers of mexico. They have become endangered in the wild but are healthy and in supply at the local aquarium as long as your not in the middle of the summer months. Axolotls require a long widthy tank with a graveled bottom and filter. The tank needs to be kept cold with no fluctuation temperatures. Frozen ice bottles in the tank can be a cheaper alternative then the $1k chillers they sell. The require temperatures between 16-20 degrees Celsius, higher degrees then that causes stressful and lazy behavior leading to disease and sometimes death. The best thing about axolotls are they are not the sort of fish that just die on you. You start to see symptoms of unhealthy behavior and death soon comes within a week, don't expect to wake up one mourning to see a dead axolotl floating at the top of your tank ( unless of course you don't something crazy like feed them chocolate ect.) Apart from being sturdy fish that most find appealing because of there lovable appearance, Axolotls are the few fish that you can handle and hand feed. This very feature was the reason i got so into fish. Mexican walking fish are carnivorous and there diet is formed with some of the foods listed below. If you ever chose to get an axolotl, check out my previous blog posts to see some tips and tricks.
**Update** Day 8:
I rock up at the aquarium and i ask them for their life food section.
They got everything my little fella could ever need: Earthworms, Blackworms meal worms and "Super Worms"
Intrigued by super worms i ask and sure enough there are 2 dozen little Caterpillar things in a Tupperware container filled with sawdust. They are running around like crazy in there. The guy at the counter says they are a better feed and are more nutritious for them. I buy the box for $16.
I go home eager to feed them both, i pluck out a worm and drop it in the tank. Thing drowns in close to 20 second and then goes straight and stiff. I put it in the mouth of Aristotle and it takes him about 4 minutes for him to gobble it down. I try it different for  Sagee, i quickly take one out and put it in the mouth of Sagee, he Snaps it out and the worms thrashes about and tries to break lose. they fight for a while but the worm surcame to the water and goes stiff and it takes sagee about 7 minutes to gobble it down. Some people would consider this cruel to feed to them but its better give them a varied diet. And i don't want to hinder them by just eating frozen after frozen food. When i go to pick up my next axolotl (At the end of march) i will pick up some mealworms to feed them. Oh well they seem to like it and ive got enough worms here to feed for the next 2 weeks. Im a whole lotl axolotl

-Josh

44 comments:

  1. that's a really cool photo of them ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. http://goatinacoat.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-to-make-axolotl-cake.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haha, they're worms, I wouldn't worry about being cruel. Plus, it's fun to watch the struggle. Why else do people watch lions taking down gazelles on TV?

    ReplyDelete
  5. There's billions of worms in the world it's not cruel at all :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. They look like little baby dragons.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Maybe you can figure out a way to breed the worms and have your own supply?

    ReplyDelete
  8. These guys are so cool. Thanks for posting such nice pics of them!

    ReplyDelete
  9. nice tutorials!! followed ;)

    check out mine @ http://nothernwall.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey, just found this blog. Pretty sweet, definitely didn't even know what these guys were called until now, haha.

    ReplyDelete
  11. aw, aint they cute? haha, good stuff

    ReplyDelete
  12. They should have a more cute name, more "disney" style.

    ReplyDelete
  13. i remember making a youtube video of an axolotl ages ago..its in my channel somewhere

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those guys are so cute! Don't worry about being cruel, its just worms :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice idea for a blog! Keep it coming, those little fish are unique looking.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Haha,these little guys are soo cute.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice, wonder if i can get one of those where i am from.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love ur axolotl's man... they dont have any over here tho... i looked and looked, and none...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Those are some awesome looking fish! I want one!

    ReplyDelete
  20. They look awesome, I might look into getting one.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cute little thing. When are you going to post some more pics?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ahhh I finally understand your blog name!
    These things are cool! I read if you cut off part of them, it regrows, and it even applies to their heads!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, i didn't know that there are fish like this (reptilians like crocos are 'a bit' different). And I'm planning to study biology. :D

    Cool and informative site. Be sure to update it and check out mine if you're into popular-science.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Delicious Axolotl.
    Followed.
    bigunicorn.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Cute! and definitely looks like mudkipz :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Dang! I wish I could have one :|
    And @pixel designer Yes it does indeed look like a mudkipz lol!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ship me an axolotl , anyone? I'll pay. We can negotiate rates. E-mail me at this.year.ended.in.june@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. They're so pretty! I want! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  29. so that was an axolotl (sp?) is

    ReplyDelete