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

Personalize and Decorate your Tank.

Decorate your fish tank, any type of fish will look stylish with these tips. 

Gravel-

You need to have some layering on the bottom of the tank.
Whether this is gravel or sand, a bottom layering is essential.

For specific, Axolotls, require bigger then pea size gravel, as they have a tendency to swallow them. They require pebble sized rocks much larger then pea sized. I have spread said rocks out making 2 layers for them over my 3 foot tank and they seem to love it just fine. Bare glass is impossible for them to get a grip on and can be stressful and some times. Sand is also a risky choice as it can lead to murky water every time the fish moves. Make sure when first purchase of your gravel you rinse out the rocks in water a few times so all the dirt rubs off. 
Plants-

Definitely throw some plants in the tank. As long as you have a light suitable enough for your tank, even if you don't plants are a good way to have more oxygen flowing through your tank and some plants only need a few hours of artificial light a day. Be careful you don't buy anything too expensive though, axolotls might have a tendency to nibble on the leaves if they get a touch hungry.

Logs-
Caves and hiding places are essential for all axolotls, they need to have a "Hidey hole" for those times they don't feel safe. You can pick up some plastic logs from your local aquarium for medium price. You can also pick up other things that don't necessarily provide a spot to hide in, but add some attractiveness and spice to the tank. Having a mixture of these is great and will make your axolotl feel right at home.

Filter-

Choosing the right filter for your tank is essential. Make sure you get one that can pump the the right amount of water for your size tank, if you have a tank, it is a stupid idea to get a 500 liter pumping filter.

**Update** Day 5:
Shit! I got home from work and i put in a bottle of frozen water into the tank (I do this during summer, put bottles of ice in the tank to defrost and cool down to the right temperature for the fish) and the bottle dropped down and clipped Aristotle, lying directly beneath it. He scattered away instantly and i dont think he was hurt, just the sudden fright of death from above. Sagee is being more active, she walks around and swims more then she use to. I hope that means shes getting use to this new environment. Tomrrow is going to be fun, im going to buy Earthworms from the aquarium and test out feeding LIVE WORMS to the axolotls. It will be a true test to there sence of smell and movment to try and catch them, its also a good idea for me to vary there diet as they have been eating nothing but frozen blood worms for the last week. Untill tomrrow, Thanks for reading. Im a whole lotl axolotl.

-Josh

Appropriate food for the Appropriate Pet.

Axolotls are carnivorous creatures. Out in the wild they learn to eat anything from smaller fish to some insects. In pet stores or at the home aquarium, Axolotls diet vary depending on there age. It is important to keep a mix and variation in diet, so the axolotl does not get bored and puts off eating.
Ive started my little guys off on half a frozen blood worm pellet a day. Basically you keep them in the freezer, pop one out, cut in in half and hand feed half to each of them. The axolotls snap the delicious food out of your hands. But usually some blood worms tend to swim away and not get eaten. They will only eat the whole chunks of worms and if individual worms break off they will not get eaten today, rather, rot inside the tank. Axolotl also eat Frozen Beef Heart, Sinking axolotl pellets, other meal worms and brine shrimp. An important thing to note is: Axolotls might become food for other fish! Some fish look at the pretty frilly gills of an axolotl and cant help themselves but give it a little nibble. *Note* Axolotls dont have teeth and for the first couple months of there lives they go through a cannibalistic stage where they can not be kept with other axolotls!
**Update**
Day 3.
Aristotle seemed fine last night, but when i came home today i noticed he was floating around the top of the tank. Usually he swims everywhere as fast as he can and then rest a little bit, but then jumps back up and swimming. Today he was floating at the top as if he lost his boyancey.
Sagee is lazing around and i dont even worry about her anymore.
All she does it stand at the bottom of the tank for hours at a time, And when i walk out of the room she will move position.
I fed them both half a blood worm pellet and Aristotle ate it right and quick.
Sagee had some trouble, i think it was frozen on the middle and hard for her to swallow. She spat out little bits of worms here and there. Man i got some cleaning up to do.
Untill tomrrow guys
-Josh

THESE THINGS CAN MORPH!

Hi guys, so im going to split my blog up into 2 sections from now on. The Red section will be about daily news on my own little axolotls and the blue section will be just about facts or cool things about Mexican walking fish you didn't know. So you can skip the facts and find out about how my pets are doing or vice versa:Note: These colours are subject to change, but the facts will always be on top.
 Some Axolotls have a wierd little ability. Usually when there out in the wild lakes of mexico, the Axolotl can develop lungs, harder feet and walk out of the water and become full land creatures. Kind of like a little lizard.
About 1 in a 1000 will do this in a fish tank, but there are some ways to try and force the effect.
The most common myth on metamorphosis  the Axolotl, would be to lower the water levels slowly in the tank and force the fish to morph. Although 90% this does not work and you end up killing the fish.
Some people believe that exposing Axolotls to an element. I.e. Iodine would help it that extra step, but because it is extremely poisoners, i do not recommended you do this to your little guy. Just enjoy him the way he is, but one day when your not looking he may decide to morph on you. And that 300$ Tank is a waste of everything.
Oh well, just another way these little guys are so awesome.
**Update**
Day 2:
The Axolotl's are settling into there new habitat with minor worries.
Aristotle *The white one* has been non stop swimming around and bumping his nose into the side glass of the tank. I think hes either really excited to be in a bigger environment then that of the crowded aquarium tank. Or maybe he just wants to get out. At least hes getting heaps of exercise and its better seeing them swim then laze around being the bottom dwellers they notoriously are.
Sagee: Sagee *the grey one* has been mopping around at the bottom of the tank. Ive been feeding them both daily, and i hope to not over feed them. Sagee looks sick but it may be just home sickness, or fright of being in this new big cage. (Damn, She looked active in the aquarium) Hopefully she stays steady and bursts into energy in the following days.
None of them seem to swim inside the 20$ log i bought them and Ive been keeping the water temperature at a constant 19-22c. with frozen water bottles.
Im trying to maintain 19 degrees Celsius 100% because temperature fluctuation are worse then it being too hot. I hope Sagee is not stressed.
Some people asked how much all up was the expenses. If you look in the paper or online you will find breeders sell there axolotls cheap. Around 10$ or so.
But anyhow
Hiding log, plant, gravel, tank, filter, 2 axolotls, food.
All came up to about 200$ (Australian)
But the tank was a bargain at a private seller. Aquariums are expensive i only suggest going to them for plants and food.

They're here, They're Finally Here!

Aristotle my first albino, axolotl.

What your looking at is front row pictures of my new fish!

Today i managed to pick up 2 Axolotls at an aquarium!

They were 32$ Each and are 1.5 and 1 month old, respectively.

I am to believe that Ari is an Axanthic Axolotl. Im not sure on the genders of both of them though. I also bought a thermomintor to test water temperature, Axolotls (In the summer) need to be kept at a constant temperature ranging from 16-20 degrees Celsius.

With water bottles frozen to ice, i keep placing bottles in to thaw out into the water and reduce the temperature. They both seem extremely playful and they Snap the food right out of your hand. as the week goes on i wish to handle them a little more and teach them fully how to Snap the food so they can learn how to eat live earth worms i place in the tank. I also bought a plant for $4.50 and a huge log to hide in for 20$

 Axolotls have poor eyesight and so there getting use to there new eyesight. They're also very excited they are in a new, much bigger, gravel infested. Caves and places to hide ridden, Tank. Will post more good pictures as i see them, until then guys.

-Josh

Below is a picture of the 2nd axolotl, Sagee.

This is Sagee. My wild type axolotl.

Im off to the shops

As those who have been following my blog are aware
Today is the big day
In an hour il be off to the aquariums in search of my new albino axolotl!

I am going to get 2 axolotls, One white and one black.
Im hoping they won't fight and are playful and mate with eachother :D

My setup is a 3 foot tank by about 1 foot width. Ive thrown in some gravel as well as feeder fish and 10 Cray fish. Erm, Make that 4 cray fish. One of my brothers fish i let into the tank sort of ate the other 6.
But hey thats what there there for. So with no real news to give you guys until a couple hours, here are some fun axolotl facts
1. Axolotls or Mexican Walking Fish are a type of water salamander commonly found in mexico.
2. They are a great pet for teenagers or people who want somthing different.
3. Axolotls come in different colours, but mainly WHITE, Luestic, Gold, albino and black. Expect various shades of these types.
4.When an axolotl is deprived of water to live in, it goes through a metamorphosis in which they evolve into a lung, air beathing salamander
5. Axolotl is the juvenile or young form of a salamander. They remain in this form there whole lives and can even breed in this form.
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog, Check back next time where il upload pics of the new little addition to my household.

-Josh

1. Last. Day

Hehe i go axolotl shopping TOMRROW. Cant wait

Tonight I:
Got my brothers Oscar fish and placed him into my tank.
Just for the night, My new fresh bigger habitat will be a treat to that fish while my brother starts his full cleanup of his murky old tank. I also get a little more safer environment in the tank untill MY fish comes.
So in the tank i have
20 Feeder fish
6 small cray fish :O
and 1 medium sized oscar!
Cant sleep tonight im so excited, as always, il see you tomrrow when il be able to post ALL my fish pics.


-Josh

One day closer, baby.

My axolotl is only 3 days from arrival! Today i let in 4 small feeder fish into my 3 foot tank.

This is so that they can release ammonia into the tank and set up the biological filter. They (produce amonia when they sucesfully pass out digested food through the other end)
They will swim happily for 3 days until ARI comes in and eats them all up. Or mabey he will be a nice axolotl and let them be, but i doubt it

Oh well, untill then guys. See you soon

-Aristotle the Axolotl 

-Josh

Axolotls

Hey guys. So heres a little intro blog
I just recently purchased a tank for 89$ australian dollars.
I got gravel and a filter for 50$
And my new 3 foot tank is set up and running.
Tomrrow i will be adding in FEEDER fish into the tank to help set up the bilogical filter, and this saturday i will be purchasing 2 albino Mexican Walking fish
"Aristotle and Destry"
Ari and des as i will refer to them will be my first ever fish i have taken care of on my own, And this weekly blog will feature tips tricks and pictures of the cute little guys.

Thanks, and see you soon with my first update.
-Josh