How to feed axolotl?

There is a creature in home aquariums that resembles the appearance of a fairy dragon. This amphibian is called axolotl or "water dog". It is a native animal from Mexico, where in ancient times the Indians used them for food. Today axolotl is listed in the Red Book and is on the verge of extinction. But this creature has gained popularity among exotic lovers and has taken root in aquariums, successfully breeding at home.

If you also want to have this unusual underwater pet, first find out how it can be fed and how it is best done.

In fact, axolotl is the larva of some species of amphibians as an amphibian, which has the ability to reproduce without passing into an adult form. Axolotl lives constantly in water, using external gills for breathing, although it also has lungs.

Outwardly, the larva resembles a big-headed newt up to 30 cm long, decorated with three pairs of branchy gills. A disproportionately large head with a wide mouth gives the amphibian an ever-smiling look. A waterfowl has two pairs of short limbs and a thick long tail.

Axolotl can spend its entire life in the larval stage without leaving the aquatic environment and without taking an adult form. In general, the transition of the larva to the adult stage is fraught with great difficulties and should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. If certain conditions are not met, these transformations will lead to the death of the animal.

Axolotl owners value this amphibian for unusual and cute appearance, quick wit and dexterity. If you decide to have a tame dragon at home, you should know the features of feeding and the content of this creature.

To create comfortable conditions, you should adhere to certain rules.

• The volume of the aquaterrarium for one individual should be at least 40 liters, while the height of the tank should be above 0.5 m. The tank with the animal must be covered with a lid.
• The minimum depth required for axolotl is 15–20 cm.
• The water requires clean, settled, oxygenated, neutral or slightly hard.
• The temperature in the aquarium should be 18–20 ° C. A decrease in the indicator leads to a slowdown in vital processes, and an increase leads to the death of amphibians.
• The soil used for the aquarium should be quite large, as axolotl can swallow small particles, which will negatively affect its condition.
• Domestic dragons are very sloppy creatures, so a mandatory change of 1/8 of the water daily is required. It is still necessary to remove residual feed. If this is not done, then axolotl may be poisoned by the products of its vital functions. Therefore, the aquarium should be equipped with a powerful filtration system and an oxygen compressor.
• Every three months it is necessary to carry out a complete water change in the aquaterrarium.

In the natural environment, axolotl feeds on larvae, fry, and insects falling into the water.

Salamander and small aquarium fish are eaten: guppies, zebrafish, neonchiks and rassbory.

From live feed use small crustaceans, amphipods, daphnia, cyclops, corertru, tadpoles. You can feed axolotl bloodworm.

In addition to the above, amphibian nutrition can be varied wingless insects, crickets, slugs and snails freed from the shell.

You should know that You cannot use regular food for aquarium fish. It is forbidden to feed axolotl with red meat of warm-blooded animals, since its digestive system does not digest this type of protein.

Particular attention should be paid to the method of feeding axolotl.

Amphibian fed once a day, but you can give food more often, the main thing is to clean the aquarium of the remains of uneaten food in time.

This will help keep the aquarium clean.

Axolotl copes well with falling and moving food, because due to the peculiar structure of the skull, he sees well above himself and easily sucks the falling pieces, rubbing them in the mouth with the help of many teeth.

Food falling to the bottom must be removed on its own, because amphibian does not take food from the ground, otherwise the water will be polluted from decomposition.

You can try to feed the amphibian from the hands, but axolotl does not always agree to this method of obtaining food.

By the way, it is worth knowing another feature of the salamander larva: the touch of your warm hands can severely burn the delicate skin of the animal and lead to the death of the pet. Therefore, if you want to take amphibian in your hands, then cool your palms to an acceptable temperature.

Here is such an extraordinary creature that you can settle in a home aquarium and surprise guests with a rare pet with a pretty appearance.

All about the features of axolotl can be found in the video.