water conditions for a mexican walking fish?

Question

heater temp.???
ph.???
plants??
cave ???
gravel??
rocks??

filtration,foods for an Axolotl (albino) amphibian

Answer 1

ok axolotl

just be aware that if you are in the U.S. axolotls are rare and if you got it from a petshop, its probably a larval Tiger Salamander, which look almost exactly the same as an axolotl, and need the same requirements as an axolotl, so you can still use the link below..

heres a site that tells you everything -
http://www.axolotl.org/index.htm
.

Answer 2

No heaters! The water temperatures axolotls need is 60-65o, so if anything, you need a chiller. Even lights can add to the water temperature, so it's best not to use them on the tank.

They're not very picky about the other items. A pH should be 6.5 - 7.5. They'll be okay with plants in their tank - I used elodea with mine and just allowed it to float. They also had a little driftwood and rock ledges, but mine used them for climbing rather than hiding. May the would use them more if I had lights on the tank, but because of the increase in temperature, I never used them, so my axolotls never looked for placed that were dark.

Gravel, if it's small enough could be swallowed and cause an intestinal impaction. If you use anything, use rock large enough that they can't get it into their mouths. I did keep nine on gravel without any problems, but why take a chance?

Filtration was an undergravel filter for my tanks. These guys don't like or need a lot of water movement. Too much cause too much oxygenation in the water, and this leads to loss of thier gills. Find a small air pump and put a valve on the airline to decrease the flow even further. You'll be able to tell by their behavior if the oxygen content is too low - they'll surface and gasp for air (they do this occassionally anyway, but you don't want to see this on a constant basis).

Also, I don't know where you are in the US, but I haven't seen these alot in stores either, but what I've found at reptile/herp shows are axolotls, not tiger salamanders. Albinos are cool, but leucistic axolotls (white with black eyes) are my favorites.

See the links below for more reading on axolotl care.

Answer 3

The tank needs to be kept cool, and you will probably need a chiller - very expensive though - temperatures over 75 degrees will kill them. Best temps range from the high 50s to high 60s.

Filters need to disturb the water as little as possible, but without one you need to do daily 20% water changes, so a low flow filter is recommended.

You need something on the bottom - don't do a bare tank - because they need something there to walk around - slip and slide without it. A large coarse gravel or pebbles work well.

pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

You can order special axolotl food at the link I have below, otherwise just try to match what they eat in the wild.

They do need a cave or something to allow them to hide from light when they need to.

Plants are good - try to find ones that replicate their natural surroundings.

Never handle with dry hands - you will create tears that bacteria will enter through that can be deadly. Try not to ever handle them - very delicate skin.

They are an endangered species, and reputable users and dealers do not undertake the use or supply of endangered species, so good luck finding a healthy one for sale near you.....