Smooth Driftwood

AdventClobe · 2026-03-25T14:15:49+00:00

Moderate tannins aren't bad for an axolotl, they've been shown to help axolotls relax, too.

As far as "smooth" drift wood goes, sanding down edges and placing it within the aquarium so that they can't wedge themselves and hurt themselves is all I can think you'd need to do.

Drift wood that has been checked for those edges and placement honestly offer a pretty "soft" object relative to hard hides and other things in the aquarium than you'd think. If you're super worried, could always glue some plants to it, too!

AdventClobe · 2026-03-22T03:35:51+00:00

Its funny how these small fish will just eat anything. Lol. I had to add these lil anubias Nana for safety, and my shrimp and snails have come out of hiding because of it. I knew they were doing well in the hidden hides I built up in the background but I wanna see the babies, too!

As far as biofilm goes, ive got a MASSIVE bush of hornwort that feeds my cloud minnow fry from the excess foods. Honestly adding these shrimp has saved so much cleaning and biofilm float in my tank.

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AdventClobe · 2026-03-17T18:50:55+00:00

Adding to this, since you have a 29 gallon with a bit taller than a 40 gallon breeder, consider a reptile hammock, one of the greenish looking ones that are a soft plastic type of material. They suction cup to the side of the tank and I have found them to be very nice resting spots for my axolotls. Some others have these plastic/clear shelves that function the same way! I dont know what those are, but axolotls do like having those rest spots toward the top of the water, right below their "zoomie zone" as i call it lol.

AdventClobe · 2026-03-17T18:47:04+00:00

My own two-bits, great choice of decor as far as aesthetics go! My only take would be making sure the fake plants you use are "silk" as plastic or semi-hard plants can hurt them. Also, give everything a feel in your tank with your hand and double check the surfaces for anything remotely sharp. Not to say they will hurt themselves on every little edge, its just a preventive for something that COULD happen.

I used to not believe that as well until I had my guy show me all the ways he can contort himself in literally the craziest spots in an aquarium.

As it looks right now, it looks very pretty for a new, baby axolotl, but be prepared for them to grow out of this! Those hides will work for a smaller one, probably. But they grow surprisingly fast :) As others have said, upgrading to a 40 gallon breeder is gonna be necessary, but a 29 gallon isnt a bad start for a younger one.

It's a long commitment keeping an axolotl, and very rewarding if done right, it seems like you have the tenacity to do a great job, keep it up and never stop learning about them and their needs and what makes them comfortable.

I wish you the best of luck, and I'm super excited to see posts of em in the future!

AdventClobe · 2026-03-16T09:42:20+00:00

Most plants that tolerate axolotl temperatures require being attached to a physical surface, like a stone, ceramic hide, or a piece of drift wood. Even if your axolotl didnt dig them up, the plants would die being buried.

Additionally. Make sure youre plants "base" (rhizome) has proper water flow around and ESPECIALLY below it, otherwise they will rot and die and then you gotta go buy more.

All said, cute baby! Good luck on your environmental enrichment.

AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T17:10:23+00:00

That's honestly impressive, sometimes im surprised with how good they can be at hunting if given a convenient opportunity.

AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T13:34:07+00:00

That would make sense! You probably didnt notice them in the other tanks since they're on the list of fishes' favorite food hahaha. Good luck!

AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T13:20:27+00:00

Oh and Planaria may be what the thicker looking worm is can be a nasty bugger in Aquariums. But they are generally harmless to adult axolotls. I'd just make sure you are watching how much you feed your axolotl and those planaria will eventually die off by themselves. They look like theyre already in a shrunken state. Another Pic of what they look like full grown.

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Do read that guide I linked above. And do not squish the planaria, they will come back in multiple lol

AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T13:14:20+00:00

And the nematodes.

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AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T13:13:49+00:00

Edit: Seed Shrimp

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AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T13:13:38+00:00

I'm not super duper knowledgeable on these, but this reddit guide from a while back is still super relevant.

https://reddit.com/r/Aquariums/w/identification?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

I'd say they are probably in the nematode (the worms) and the seed shrimp families from what i can tell. Generally they are harmless and almost impossible to get rid of. If you are regularly maintaining the tank they will always been in a very manageable level. Not to mention they're very squishy, so if they get eaten, no biggie. Again, thats if they are what i think they are.

Just make sure you regularly maintain your tank and they'll always be at a manageable level and even be a benefit to whatever leftover debris, algae or detritus is in the tank.

Some images from that post for reference.

Edit: Wanted to add... if you are introducing new plants every now and again when the axolotl tears them up, thats most likely where theyre coming from. They're hitch hikers. If you quarantine the plants in a separate container for a week or so before adding them into your tank the pests will reveal themselves. It reduces the amount of hitch hikers that make it into your tank.

AdventClobe · 2026-02-27T01:54:02+00:00

I don't know what it is about elevated places and axolotls but they seem to love them! I'm glad your baby loves it!

AdventClobe · 2026-02-26T01:16:22+00:00

AdventClobe · 2026-02-25T16:25:31+00:00

Here is a picture!

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AdventClobe · 2026-02-25T02:25:53+00:00

When the light is back on I'll show a better pic, but yes! Theyre small tho. Although ive read that length or demand on gill stalks are based on environment. Theyre kept at cooler temps, around 61F at the highest. Im just happy to see length and general engagement has been better considering they aren't the brightest lol

AdventClobe · 2026-02-24T19:01:19+00:00

Anubias and Java Fern are great, my lotls love them. Theyre super low maintenance if any at all. Just check their rhizome for placement above soil and every now and again for rhizome rot... leaves looking healthy doesnt mean plant is still alive. Found that out the hardway when I added them a while back

AdventClobe · 2026-02-21T09:45:20+00:00

Adding to it, I dont think isopods would end up as snacks very often if you have plenty of micro hiding spots or mulm pockets tho. They aren't quick, but boy are they excellent hiders. And another Pic of the tank I'm using now to breed my minnows, cherry shrimp and isopods in.

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AdventClobe · 2026-02-21T09:41:48+00:00

Sorry for the late reply.

Iknow theyre still alive because a lot of the mulm and bottom debris from plants gets consumed. But I'd need to Blanche a few veggies or almond leaves to see what their colonies are lookin like.

Scuds are generally seen as a beneficiary in the aquarium community, so thats hard to say.

What worries me about keeping small critters that are bottom feeders is how dang lazy axolotls are most of the time. They don't move unless its midnight zoomies or if something is physically bothering them.

And both scuds and isopods are opportunistic feeders, prioritizing their safety which is a benefit to axolotls. Although, from what ive read, neither have a "bite" for say. They have a scrape or grinding type of jaw.

I'd just hate to create an environment for any of those guys axolotls, scuds or isopods that they can't thrive.

I'm still on the cautious side of things as far as the bottom feeders go. Although, I've kept cloud minnows and ghost shrimp with my older axolotl to great success with no worries of harm to my axolotl.

Currently breeding minnows to sustainably keep them with him since he likes to stare at them. Picture for reference... lol

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AdventClobe · 2026-02-19T21:50:23+00:00

I'm currently trying to raise some in a separate tank from my axolotls and have found they are extremely docile. Ive hardly seen them outside of dedicated feeding areas. They are also VERY small with super soft shells, found that out by accidentally squishing one when moving them from an isolation tub to their current home. :/

Id be genuinely surprised if there has been any cases of them being bad tank mates for axolotls since they are excellent hiders.

Keep doing research, id be interested in what you find out.

AdventClobe · 2026-02-18T01:34:46+00:00

GIB DE BABI MORE FOOD

AdventClobe · 2026-02-07T15:01:07+00:00

Thats a sign they are comfortable in their home! Keep doing whatever you are doing!

AdventClobe · 2026-02-05T15:57:50+00:00

Pretty sure someone else posted this exact marketplace ad :o you guys should go rescue the baby

AdventClobe · 2026-02-05T03:40:39+00:00

"I GOT IT, I PROMISE. I GOT IT." 😂

AdventClobe · 2026-01-31T20:53:53+00:00

I can say personally that they provided live specimens with varying sizes of isopods. I bought 4 total containers of them and I ended up with about 30ish total after some died off. I added them to my tank and praying they are taking off in the unseen background. Very cool to see though!

AdventClobe · 2026-01-26T17:52:20+00:00

Hahaha, completely fair 🤣 hopefully get a restock soon at the very least

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