The axolotl (that’s its name) naturally lives in the reservoirs of Mexico and is one of the oldest representatives of the fauna. The name of the amphibian was given by the Aztecs, and translated into Russian it means “water monster.” But this nickname does not at all fit with that pretty face that looks at you through the glass of the aquarium.
Ancient Indian tribes ate axolotl meat, which was somewhat reminiscent of eel in taste. Nowadays, catching this amphibian is prohibited - the axolotl is listed in the Red Book. But this does not prevent you from breeding it at home.
Description
So, an axolotl is a salamander larva, which, bypassing all the intermediate stages, becomes an adult without changing shape, but purely by age of development. In mature larvae, the average body length is about 300 mm. On both sides of the axolotl's head, long processes (3 pieces each) grow, which serve as external gills.
They create an “image” for the salamander larva - thanks to these gills, the amphibian really looks like a baby dragon (but a rather cute one). In nature, axolotls are found in different colors: black and gray, brown and brown. There are pure albinos and golden ones, but with such coloring it is difficult to survive in the harsh world of the water elements. But in an aquarium, amphibians of light colors will feel more comfortable.
It is difficult to say reliably how long axolotls live in a natural reservoir, but at home this representative of salamanders lives no more than 12 years.
Appearance
The axolotl has a very touching, touching appearance. He has an overly large head with a wide mouth and small eyes. This appearance gives him the appearance of an always smiling larva. Its length is on average thirty centimeters, the front legs consist of four fingers, and the back legs of five, and there are sharp teeth on the jaws. This exotic monster is characterized by smooth skin with transverse grooves on the sides and a wide tail, the length of which makes up about seventy percent of the entire body, which creates additional comfort when swimming. Its sides are flattened, and the top is decorated with a crest. The funny look of the larva is given by its specific gills, which grow on the sides of the head in the form of three shaggy, long branches. The average weight of an axolotl is three hundred grams.
The head is disproportionately large and expanded in comparison with the elongated body. The wide and flat mouth appears to be constantly smiling. It hides inconspicuous, small, but sharp teeth - with them the axolotl only holds prey, they are not intended for tearing. The eyes are small, black, shiny, like beads. The gills, like fluffy twigs, extend from the body behind the head; the larva can press them and shake them to clear adhered particles.
The body is narrowed, slightly flattened, streamlined. In the middle along the entire back there is a ridge - this is the fin. 16 grooves on the sides give the newt a “ringed” appearance. The skin is smooth and soft. The axolotl has 2 pairs of legs: the front ones have 4 fingers, and the back ones have 5.
The tail is long, wide, and occupies about ¾ of the entire body. The fin fold from the back extends along its entire length. It is very agile, which helps it swim quickly. Together with the tail, the larva has 50 vertebrae.
Dimensions - The length of the axolotl ranges from 15 to 30 cm, the larva can weigh up to 300 g, the girth of the body is about 12-19 cm. Females are somewhat smaller than males, they have a slightly shorter tail. Individual large males with a maximum length of 45 cm have been recorded.
Extraordinary water monster
From the Aztec language, the word axolotl is translated as “water dog” or “water monster.” There is nothing scary about our hero’s appearance - this salamander looks more like a small funny dragon. The coloring of cute monsters can vary from dark gray to a very light whitish shade. Albinos bred in captivity are white. There are also brown and brown color options; they are excellent for camouflage and make the water dragon almost invisible.
From the editor: Fluorescent fish GloFish
The axolotl is easily identified by the funny and slightly bushy appendages (three on each side) on its head. These are actually its external gills. Dragons also have small eyes and a very wide mouth, which constantly gives them a laughing, smiling appearance. They also have small teeth.
Unlike most of the inhabitants of the aquarium, nature gave the baby monsters short legs with toes (4 on the front, 5 on the back). The tail of the larvae is long and wide, helping to swim.
The usual size of an axolotl is 20-25 cm, but some specimens can reach up to 35-45 cm. Weight - 300 g. Males are usually slightly larger than females - mainly due to the length of the tail. In an aquarium, dragonets usually live up to 10 years; with very good care, they can reach a very respectable age - 15-20 years. One of the most unusual abilities of these creatures is the ability to regenerate. They can regrow not only gills or a tail, but also entire limbs.
Axolotl colors
These cute and funny creatures can be colored differently by Mother Nature. The coloring depends on the population (or artificially bred line), as well as on the conditions in which the larva lives. Including food. Axolotls are usually divided into 3 types of color.
- “Prirodniki” is black or simply dark (gray, brown, brownish, marsh) color with spots. The pattern on the body can be different: small, large, reminiscent of a mesh.
- White, but not albino - the light color in adulthood is complemented by a patterned pattern along the back. An amphibian may not necessarily be pure white; pinkish and beige shades are often found. The gill filaments are not red, but deep pink. Eyes black or brown.
- "Albs" - without pigment. Completely white, without spots or patterns, with bright red gill processes and eyes. Among albinos there is also a golden color.
This is interesting! As a result of crossings, axolotls are produced in a wide variety of colors. Scientists experimenting with GMOs have achieved that under a fluorescent lamp the larvae's spots and stains on its body glow.
Natural and white axolotls come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, especially those that have been bred at home or in a laboratory. In their natural environment, darker colors predominate because light-colored individuals are more vulnerable to predators and survive less well.
Coloring
The choice of color forms in axolotls is impressive. In nature, they are typically dark brown with gray or black spots. But there are also light color forms, with various dark spots on the body.
The most popular among fans are albinos, which come in two colors - white and gold. The white one is an albino with red eyes, and the golden axolotl is similar to him, only there are golden spots on the body.
In fact, there are a lot of different options, and new ones are constantly appearing. For example, scientists recently bred a gene-modified axolotl with green fluorescent protein. Such pigments glow fluorescently under special lamps.
Features of character and lifestyle
Photo: Axolotl animal
The axolotl prefers to stay in clean water. It is in such water that they breathe mainly through gills. On land or in polluted water, the lungs are involved in breathing, and the gills partially stop performing their function and may atrophy. When exposed to favorable living conditions, the gills grow back and can once again perform their functions.
Under natural conditions, they prefer a hidden, solitary lifestyle. They are most active at night.
Amphibians are calm and leisurely, although they can move quite quickly in the water surface, raking with their forelimbs. During the hunt, they always choose a very advantageous position, since the salamander’s eyes are designed in such a way that they do not see anything below the level of their body.
Sometimes they can simply hang in the water, following the current, slightly moving their paws. The long tail plays an important role in maintaining balance and direction of movement.
Interesting fact. Nature has awarded water dragons with the amazing ability to regenerate not only cells and tissues, but also lost tails, limbs and even internal organs!
This amazing ability has aroused keen interest among researchers. The axolotl was caught in huge numbers for research and numerous laboratory experiments. This ability also allows you to quickly recover from fights, during which animals tear off each other’s limbs and tails and cause serious damage.
Keeping an axolotl at home
Axolotls are increasingly being kept in home aquariums because these creatures are easy to keep and very interesting to watch. In addition, the content of an axolotl has an image aspect: not all people know about the existence of such animals, the word “axolotl” itself sounds mysterious, and a story about the unusual life form of your pet will definitely create an aura of an extraordinary and highly educated personality for its owner.
All an axolotl needs to be happy is clean water, dim light and quality food. Since at the larval stage amphibians live in water, the axolotl does not need land at all. His six shaggy “ears”, reminiscent of thin branches of aquatic plants on the sides of his head, are not ears at all, but external gills with which he breathes. Although it also has lungs, so if living conditions change, the larva will quickly be able to adapt and “adjust” to pulmonary breathing. The flat, wide and long tail makes the axolotl an excellent swimmer. However, more often he prefers to be at the bottom of the aquarium, waiting for the food to float into his mouth.
The axolotl is fed based on its predatory nature. He especially respects bloodworms and earthworms, cleared of soil and cut into small pieces. Raw meat is also suitable - beef, veal, poultry - but it is advisable to “deliver” it with tweezers directly to the axolotl’s nose. The larvae have a tendency to gluttony, so it is worth dosing out their “ration”: a couple of worms twice a week for an adult axolotl, for a young axolotl up to a year - every other day, and only the young shoots are fed daily. But here you need to be vigilant: a hungry axolotl will start hunting for small aquarium fish, or even snatch off the paw of one of its own kind.
Varieties
In nature, there are more than 30 species of ambisto. The most common are Mexican and tiger ambystoma.
Tiger Ambystoma Axolotl
Tiger Ambystomas live on the shores of reservoirs from Mexico to Canada. Their length, including the tail, is 28 cm. The skin color of the amphibian varies from dark brown to olive green. Yellow stripes are scattered throughout the body, hence the name “brindle”.
Tiger axolotls are often kept as aquarium pets. Albinos, individuals that were bred artificially, are very popular.
Marbled axolotls
A distinctive feature of marbled ambistos is their strong build and silver stripes on black skin. This species of ambistom does not grow more than 12 cm.
Marbled axolotls undergo a full transformation cycle in 2-6 months, depending on environmental conditions. They feed on daphnia, cyclops and other zooplankton.
Mole-shaped Ambystoma
These are one of the smallest ambistos. Their size is only 9 cm. Their tail is short. The head is wide and flattened. Almost all the time, the bloody ambystoma is busy digging the ground. Hence its name.
Pacific Ambystoma
And these are large amphibians. Their body length can reach 34 cm. They hunt snails and slugs, other amphibians, and also like to eat small rodents.
They live in deep burrows, where they hide from heat and bright light. When in danger, they make sounds similar to a growl. They can also bite painfully.
Olympic ambistomes
Named after the place where they live, the Olympic Peninsula, Washington State. They live on the banks of mountain rivers, in places covered with moss and shaded by coniferous trees. In rainy weather, Olympic Ambistos can be seen far from the reservoir.
The larvae of this species of Ambystoma settle in reservoirs with a rocky bottom.
Olympic ambystoms feed on beetles, flies, and earthworms.
The skin color of these amphibians is yellow, with small brown spots that cover almost the entire body.
Mexican Ambystoma
The most common type of ambistom. Lives in the lakes of Mexico. The adult is black or black-brown in color. This shade helps it blend into the bottom of the reservoir, hiding from enemies or hunting prey.
The larva of the Mexican Ambystoma is the black axolotl, which became the progenitor of many species of ornamental axolotls. It is this larva that can most often be seen in home aquariums.
Nutrition
We should talk in more detail about how to feed axolotls, because... There is a difference in the diet of a mature salamander and its fry. What they have in common is that aquatic salamanders belong to the category of predators that have teeth in their mouths. And predators need animal protein to develop.
- It is preferable to feed the fry microworms, mosquito larvae, daphnia, and naupilia. You can soak granules of food for predatory fish in water.
- In addition to this assortment, adult “monsters” are given shrimp, mussels, and fish fillets. But live fish should be given with caution, because... they can be carriers of diseases.
- Some owners of home aquariums also try to feed the axolotl with pieces of lean veal or beef heart. Of course, this is a good protein food, but the amphibian will have difficulty coping with it.
Fry should be fed daily, adults - 3 times a week. In this case, the remaining food should be immediately removed from the aquarium, because... The axolotl prefers clean water.
Little tricks
For the axolotl, the purity of the water and its oxygen saturation are important, so the aquarium must be equipped with a compressor and cleaned at least once a week. The optimal water temperature is 15-20o. But the flow of larvae is annoying, so the compressor should not be too strong
nym. Axolotls do not like bright light, so it would be good to create shaded areas in the aquarium. As neighbors for them, it is better to select fish that are not small and not too lively - golden ones are great, but not veil ones.
An abrupt replacement of old water with fresh water, especially cold water, is a stimulus for axolotls to reproduce. From the eggs laid by the female on aquatic plants, after a couple of weeks of being kept in a separate container with water, larvae develop, which are fed with food for fish fry.
And lastly: if your axolotl suddenly changed its color and body shape and “threw back” its gills, it means that it has turned into an ambistoma. This happens when the water level drops significantly or when the special hormone thyroidin gets into the food. There is nothing wrong with this, it’s just that you will now have a different pet living with you.
A suitable home for an aquatic “monster”
As practice has shown, these creatures can not only exist in captivity, but also live for a long time, giving birth to offspring. Naturally, if only the owner provides him with suitable housing.
How many reptiles can you keep in one tank?
It is best to place only one individual in one tank - salamanders, especially those of different ages, do not get along well with each other. For example, seasoned, large males offend young brothers, even to the point of injuring and eating them. As a last resort, amphibians of the same age and size can be kept in one container.
Tank size
A 50-liter aquarium is suitable for 2 individuals. However, when they reach their maximum size, this volume will only be enough for one axolotl. So it’s better to immediately place a couple in a 100-liter container or prepare for the pets to soon move to spacious apartments.
Water requirements
Until the quality of the water approaches natural, it is not recommended to place newts in it. It must be clean, although these creatures are able to survive in a polluted environment. You should be careful when choosing a filter - powerful devices that work constantly will frighten the inhabitants. It is better to purchase an internal filtration system that contains a sorbent and creates a weak flow.
You should keep the tank clean by removing leftover food and changing the water by about a quarter 1-2 times a week. It is recommended to carry out a complete replacement no more than 3-4 times a year. Water temperature is very important for these creatures. Since in nature they live in high-mountain lakes with cool water, living in a warm water environment is detrimental for them. The indicator should be no lower than 13° and no higher than 20°C; when it increases, individuals become ill and even die.
To monitor temperature stability, it is recommended to equip the container with a thermometer. During hot periods, it is necessary to take care of cooling the aquatic environment; for example, you can place a container with frozen water in the aquarium and replace it periodically. If possible, a tank with amphibians can be placed in the basement.
Soil material
Salamanders need it because when moving they cling to it with their limbs. If the bottom turns out to be without soil, the inhabitants may become stressed and ulcerations may appear on their paws. The use of pebbles, gravel and sand is not recommended; axolotls often swallow them, which leads to problems with the gastrointestinal tract. It is best to cover the bottom with a layer of pebbles large enough so that their particles do not fit into the amphibian's mouth.
Decor
It should perform not only decorative functions, but also provide shelter for these creatures. The number of secluded places should be greater than the number of inhabitants, each larva should have a choice. It is important that objects do not have sharp corners that can injure the delicate skin of axolotls. You can decorate the aquarium with driftwood, houses and ceramic figurines, arches, clay pots, halves of coconuts, etc.
Suitable aquarium location and lighting
Do not place the tank in places where direct sunlight penetrates, or next to devices that make noise - computers, televisions, musical equipment. Axolotls are nocturnal inhabitants, so they do not need any lighting; they feel more comfortable in the dark.
Caring for pet dragons is not difficult - you need to feed them, clean their home once a week and maintain the temperature. If it becomes necessary to move your pet to another tank, you should use a soft fabric net and proceed carefully. We must not forget that the larvae consist of cartilaginous tissue.
Basic aquarium parameters
The size of axolotls is quite impressive, so the recommended minimum aquarium volume is about 60-80 liters. In this case, the aquarium does not have to be full: the water level should be higher than the length of your pet. It is advisable to use a filter - otherwise frequent water changes are necessary. The filter should not create a strong current. It is necessary to regulate the power of the device so as not to damage the axolotl’s gills.
A siphon should be used to remove food residues from the bottom. A weekly 20% water change is also necessary. In aquariums without a filter, replacements of the same volume are necessary daily or every other day. A complete water change is unacceptable, as this can lead to a total imbalance in the aquarium. Tap water usually contains chlorine compounds. They can be neutralized using special preparations for aquarium water on the market. Optimal pH values are 6.5-7.5.
Reproduction
Axolotls reach sexual maturity at one year of age. To start the breeding process, you need to slightly lower the water temperature in the aquarium and place the male and female in the same aquarium. One to two days after mating, males leave spermatophores at the bottom of the aquarium, and after another day, females begin to spawn.
The female can produce eggs up to two to three times during the year, laying up to 1000 eggs. After spawning is over, you need to remove the male and female from the aquarium so that they do not eat the eggs produced. Egg development occurs within 2 weeks, after which the larvae appear. It is necessary to keep the water in the aquarium clean and promptly remove eggs and larvae that did not survive.
COMPATIBILITY
Compatibility is an important issue in keeping any aquarium inhabitants, a question about which many copies have been broken, and axolotls are no exception. However, most owners keep them separately and for the following reasons. First, the axolotl's characteristic external gills make it vulnerable to attack by fish.
Even calm and slow fish species cannot resist the temptation to try to bite them, and as a result, pitiful scraps remain of the luxurious shoots. Secondly, axolotls are active at night and sleeping fish, in turn, become easy targets for them. It is almost impossible to find a middle ground between size (so that the fish does not get eaten) and aggressiveness (so that the axolotl itself does not suffer).
But there is an exception to every rule, which allows you to keep axolotls with fish. And this exception is goldfish. They are very slow, and if they are well fed, most will not even try to chase the axolotl. Only a few will try, they will get a painful pinch and will stay away. Plus, keeping goldfish also requires low water temperatures, making them an ideal choice.
Who do these underwater inhabitants get along with?
Ambistoma larvae and aquarium fish cannot coexist in the same tank: axolotls will actively hunt small neighbors, and suffer from large ones - predators will attack them or tear their appendages. It will also not be possible to have a peaceful neighborhood with turtles and other aquatic inhabitants; the main reasons for this are incompatible nutrition and the likelihood of mutual aggression.
In addition, not all creatures can live in such a cool aquatic environment, and some representatives have common diseases. The only possible companions for axolotls are goldfish; they are too large to become food for newts and prefer to live in cool water.
Axolotl diseases and their signs.
The health of your pet axolotl depends on the conditions in the aquarium. Violation of the temperature regime, improper feeding, and water pollution often lead to a number of dangerous conditions:
- intestinal obstruction is caused by swallowed foreign objects (sand, gravel), as a result of which the larva stops feeding and intensively loses weight. After being examined by a veterinarian, surgery may be necessary;
- Metabolic diseases of cartilage tissue are caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D in the body. The first sign of illness is lethargy, inactivity of the axolotl, as well as swelling of the body and paws. Treatment of the disease should be prescribed by a specialist;
- Anorexia can be caused by various infections, parasites and a monotonous diet. The axolotl refuses food, and its body becomes noticeably swollen. Treatment consists of feeding the animal a special composition of egg yolk, granulated pollen and crushed tablets of calcium gluconate and glycerophosphate;
- Ascites is a metabolic disorder in an animal’s body, which is caused by bacteria from poor-quality water or food, as well as high water temperature. The axolotl becomes lethargic, loses appetite, and its abdomen swells. The disease is infectious, so the sick individual is removed, and a specialist is treated with antibiotics and diuretics.
According to the owners, axolotls are easily tamed, recognize their feeders and are happy to be handled. Animals must be handled very carefully, because axolotls have cartilage tissue instead of bones, which can be accidentally injured. You need to be prepared for the fact that, when frightened, an animal may bite your finger, but it will not cause serious sensations or damage.
Interesting Facts
- Axolotls are easy to handle. But at the same time, they need to be handled very carefully, they do not have bones, but only cartilage tissue, which can be easily damaged. Sometimes, when frightened by something, the larva can grab onto a finger. There is no need to try to suddenly release it; it is better to wait until she releases it herself, especially since the amphibian cannot cause damage to the skin.
- This animal is capable of regeneration, and can regrow lost limbs, and even internal organs, for example, lost in a fight.
- Axolotls are very cute creatures, and keeping them does not cause any problems. In addition, over time, they begin to recognize the owner and rejoice when he communicates with him, they come out of hiding in order to be petted. Their funniness makes even those who are completely indifferent to aquarium inhabitants fall in love with them.
- The axolotl is used in various scientific experiments.
Natural enemies of axolotls
Photo: Amphibian axolotl
Many reasons contributed to the decline in axolotl numbers. One of them is the destruction of natural habitats and pollution of water sources. Changing climatic conditions, warming and rising water temperatures cause death and numerous diseases of amphibians.
The second significant reason for the decline in numbers is diseases, to which salamanders are very susceptible. They tend to suffer from very serious diseases that cause death: ascites, anorexia, metabolic disorders, hypovitamnosis, intestinal obstruction, digestive disorders, etc.
Humans played a major role in the status of the population. Amphibians were caught in huge quantities for the purpose of conducting experiments and research on the regeneration of lost organs and limbs. In addition, human activity contributes to the pollution of natural water bodies. Crystal clear lake water becomes dirty. This leads to sickness and death of water dragons, as they react very strongly to water quality.
In addition, larger and more predatory fish hunted axolotls: telapia, carp. They eat large quantities of not only the amphibians themselves, but also their eggs, which thus do not have time to turn into fry.
Population and species status
Photo: Axolotl
Today, the axolotl is practically never found in nature, in its natural habitat. On the territory of the Russian Federation it is found exclusively in aquarium conditions. Previously, the habitat of amphibians was quite wide. Then, as the number of axolotls declined, their natural habitat area also decreased. Today they are not found anywhere except two Mexican lakes.
Researchers from the Autonomous University of Mexico made calculations and found that there are no more than 800 - 1300 left in nature. The exact number is unknown. This means that if special programs are not developed to save and preserve the species, it may completely disappear. However, researchers claim that several hundred thousand successfully live and reproduce in artificially created conditions within the aquarium.
Over the past ten years, the number of water dragons in their natural habitat has decreased significantly. Researchers say that in 1998, there were just over five thousand individuals for every square kilometer of Mexican lakes. In 2003, the same area accounted for no more than a thousand individuals. In 2008, the same area accounted for no more than a hundred individuals. Thus, the population has decreased by more than 50 times in just ten years.
Natural habitat
In the wild, the water dragon lives in the canal system of Mexico's Lake Xochimilco. It is located within the city of Mexico, at an altitude of about 2 thousand meters above sea level.
The second habitat of axolotls, Lake Chalco, has long since dried up.
Axolotls live underwater, and although they are classified as amphibians, no one has ever seen them on land.
Axolotls are also found in water bodies of the USA and Canada. It is in those areas that the amphibian ambystoma are most common.
Ambystoma larvae settle in deep pools where dense vegetation predominates. They love cool weather. Therefore, the temperature of the water where water dragons live does not exceed 13 oC
Important!
Now the axolotl is an endangered species of animal, its natural population is on the verge of extinction.
Axolotl conservation
Photo: Axolotl Red Book
For protection purposes, it is listed in the International Red Book and CITIES. Amphibians have been assigned endangered species status. Scientists suggest that in order to preserve the number of amphibians, it is necessary to create nurseries in which to raise and breed these animals. This is the only way to preserve the species and increase its numbers. Employees of a Mexican research institute are making attempts to create such a national park. In the natural habitat region, trapping is officially prohibited.
Zoologists say that a large number of amphibians live in captivity. If you create optimal conditions for them that are as close to natural as possible, they feel quite comfortable and even reproduce. In order to increase the number of water dragons, employees of a Mexican research institute successfully breed them in aquarium conditions and release them into lakes. Another measure to protect and protect these representatives of the Ambystomaceae family is to minimize human impact on their natural habitat. The cessation of pollution of natural water bodies, according to scientists, leaves a chance for a gradual increase in the number of amphibians, a decrease in morbidity and mortality.
The axolotl is an amazing representative of flora and fauna that is on the verge of extinction. It really has an external resemblance to dinosaurs that went extinct many millennia ago. This quality, as well as intelligence, intelligence and cunning, contributes to the increasing spread of aquarium keeping of water dragons.
Origin story
The axolotl is a neotenic larva from the Ambystomaceae family. Translated, the name means “water monster”, but it is difficult to call an axolotl a monster - the salamander larva has a truly touching and funny appearance.
A feature of the salamander is the ability to reproduce while still a larva - this is the meaning of neoteny of water dragons. This phenomenon is due to the fact that this amphibian lacks the hormone responsible for the development of the body. In other words, the axolotl and the ambystoma are the same animal, at different stages of development.
In the wild, axolotls live constantly in the water, ignoring land. The favorite place of water dragons is the center of the lake, where dense vegetation grows, helping axolotls reproduce and hiding them from enemies.
In ancient times, the meat of the aquatic salamander was attributed with healing properties, so the Indians caught the poor dragons and ate them. Now this lizard is protected and is listed in the Red Book.
