Ambystoma mexicanum (Axolotl)

Origin: Mexico
Length: Up to 30 cm
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
The axolotl belongs to the family of Axolotl relatives. The axolotl is a mole salamander and neotenic, meaning that adult animals can retain characteristics of the larval stage. This is clearly visible in axolotls, as they still possess three pairs of external, fringe-like gills. Axolotls have a dark gray to black back and a light gray belly. They also come in other color variants such as golden, entirely black, spotted, or albino. In addition to gill respiration, axolotls also have skin and lung respiration. Consequently, the axolotl regularly gulps air at the water surface. A remarkable feature of these animals is that severed gills or limbs are renewed within a few weeks thanks to their high regenerative capacity. Care
Experience: Beginners (familiarize yourself thoroughly with setting up and maintaining a vivarium/aquarium)
Food: Earthworms, mosquito larvae, small fish, aquatic insects, crickets, and occasional pieces of raw or lean beef (food does not need to be fed live)

Feeding: Daily
Water change: A portion weekly
Nutrition
The axolotl naturally eats food that is much more varied and richer in nutrients than what they are given in captivity. It is therefore important to add vitamins and minerals to the axolotl's diet. You can do this by dusting your feeder animals. Vitamins that must be added are: vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D3, vitamin E, and vitamin H. You can add vitamin A by dusting feeder animals. The same applies to vitamin B, vitamin D3, vitamin E, and vitamin H. However, vitamin D3 can also be provided by placing an ultraviolet lamp. Providing the correct nutrition for your axolotl is of essential importance. The axolotl has an internal skeleton, and calcium and phosphorus are therefore necessary for its formation. The food the axolotl receives must contain 1.5 times as much calcium as phosphorus. A calcium deficiency in the food can cause rickets. This can result in the animal developing spongy, deformed, and weak bones and/or poor egg quality or poor hatching results (malformed or dead larvae).

In addition to providing calcium and phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also needed in reasonable amounts. Copper, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, and iron are needed to a lesser extent, but the complete absence of these minerals can have serious consequences.

Water
It is of great importance that the water in your vivarium/aquarium is of good quality, since the axolotl will spend its entire life in the water. The water temperature must always be between 10°C and 20°C, with the water temperature remaining at least 5°C during the winter dormancy period (a period of about 8 to 12 weeks). During this period, lighting should be provided whenever it is light during the day. The pH value of the water must be between 6.5 and 8. The ideal water hardness is between 8 and 12 DH.

Cleaning
To keep the water in the vivarium/aquarium as clean as possible, it is best to change a portion of the water every week and install a water pump that filters the water. Ensure that this water pump causes as little current as possible. If your axolotl leaves behind a lot of food residue, you must also remove this from the enclosure afterwards.

Handling
Touch the axolotl as little as possible due to their delicate skin. If you want to try to catch the axolotl, it is best to do so with a small net. Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 1 axolotl: 80 x 40 x 40
Vivivarium/aquarium daytime temperature: 20°C
Vivivarium/aquarium nighttime temperature: Minimum 10°C
Water temperature: 16-18°C
Substrate: Pebbles
Setup
Setting up the axolotl enclosure is basically quite simple, but can be done as elaborately as you wish. For the substrate of your vivarium/aquarium, it is best to choose pebbles with a diameter of at least two centimeters, as axolotls can sometimes swallow fine gravel or sand, which subsequently causes blockages in the digestive tract. Aquatic plants must also be placed in the enclosure (partly to promote the oxygen level in the water and to offer the axolotl some shelter). In addition to aquatic plants that can also serve as shelter, it is important to create one or more hiding places in the enclosure. Examples of suitable hiding places include: flowerpots placed on their sides, hollow tree stumps.

Behavior
Lifestyle: Mostly active at night
Character
Axolotls are essentially solitary animals, which means they can live perfectly well alone and do not need to be housed with other axolotls. Once an axolotl has become accustomed to humans, it may bite your finger during feeding. However, an axolotl does not have enough jaw strength to hurt you.

Points of attention
Never keep your axolotl together in a vivarium/aquarium with fish.
Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The axolotl falls under CITES II; you need CITES or transfer papers to own an axolotl. You should receive these upon purchase.

One-time costs: These include the costs for the vivarium/aquarium, aquarium lighting, hiding places, and decoration. This can cost a few hundred euros in total. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products. Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the cost of food, which amounts to a few tens of euros per year.

Unexpected costs: Costs are incurred if your axolotl happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.