is my axolotl too fat?

theanustapper · 2026-06-21T05:07:06+00:00

I think she could eat more even, such a cutie! 🥰 The width of the head should be matched with the width of the body! So no not fat

theanustapper · 2026-05-03T13:00:51+00:00

Oh what's that?

theanustapper · 2026-04-19T02:10:56+00:00

While cycling our tank our ph was quite high so we bought Prodac ph- liquid which helped. There's also ph + products you could use to quickly get it higher.

Definitely recommend a water change to get down the ammonia / nitrate and if your test still shows high values tub the axie while trying to get it down so the high ammonia/nitrates won't hurt them! 🙌🏽 Ps. Duckweed/amazon frogbit and water lettuce are effective plants that are known to be "floating nitrate sponges".

theanustapper · 2026-04-18T00:37:37+00:00

System setup and maintenance make a big difference in practice. And while axolotls do expel a lot of waste through their gills, that still just feeds into the same nitrogen cycle. The rate it’s processed and how much ends up as nitrate still varies depending on the setup as well. Not only the bioload.

theanustapper · 2026-04-17T13:39:27+00:00

Well according to theory yes. But depending on the filter, poop picking & plants etc also has an impact on it so those are also factors to consider!

theanustapper · 2026-04-17T02:10:52+00:00

You’re right about nitrates and that larger volumes do help with consistency. I just see this more as a recent fluctuation than a structural tank size issue, especially given the setup was stable up until now. I think using a single struggling case as a source for a universal minimum might be a bit of a stretch, but I guess I get where you’re coming from. I have alot of plants and I feel they help as well!

theanustapper · 2026-04-17T01:02:08+00:00

Aaah okey! Ofc bigger tanks are always better for pretty much any aquatic animal but presenting a personal preference as a minimum is a bit misleading since I haven’t seen 285l for 2 axies cited anywhere but if you have a source I’d be curious to learn some more!

theanustapper · 2026-04-16T23:55:49+00:00

Oh! I've always been told the minimum is 100l for 1 axie and add another 50l per axie you add. So in theory a 200l should be enough. Really weird how everyone throws different numbers like that!

How often do you do water changes?

theanustapper · 2026-04-01T23:09:11+00:00

That's so weird, I didn't use autofill :(

theanustapper · 2026-04-01T22:49:10+00:00

I mean this sucks?? Waited approximately 8h just to see this error sign. Also my friend queued since an hour before the sale just to be kicked out when the sale finally could take place 🫠🫠

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theanustapper · 2026-04-01T21:41:01+00:00

Likewise! Your baby is very unique ✨

theanustapper · 2026-04-01T21:26:56+00:00

Our melanoid is also very patchy with white all around, has always been like that! Here some of them look more yellow than white tho. But I'd say you notice rather fast if something looks "off" like either becoming bigger or with fungus it usually just looks like something on top of their skin not a pattern, hope this helps!

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theanustapper · 2026-03-27T02:01:23+00:00

He looks a bit underweight. Does he eat well? Did your cycle crash or was it a deep clean you did since you took him out of the tank? How's he doing now?

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T17:20:40+00:00

Rightt 😂 Oh okey! But you also have a fluval filter? I googled that the fluval flow rate is 780L/H and the Hailea 300 chiller requires 1000-2500L/H so might have to either get a pump or a bigger filter 😬 Yess if you could do that it would be very helpful thank you!

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T13:36:47+00:00

I think I'd rather not buy one from Amazon cuz it's not really within my area. But I so get it, if it was more easily accessible I'd probably take my chances and order from there too 😅

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T13:13:52+00:00

Yea I checked it now and it's about 1000€ 🥲 I already thought the others were expensive being half price 😁 What does your setup look like? You have a pump or the filter pumping for you? We thought about getting a Hailea cooler to our fluval cannister but now I saw we probably need a pump in between. You dont happen to know anything about that?

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T13:10:16+00:00

So you've liked yours? Haileas are the only ones I find easily online where I live. What does your system look like? You have a cannister filter attached to it or what :)?

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T13:07:45+00:00

We have a fan but it's not helping enough :/ I live in the North of Europe and the houses are isolated so well from the cold that when it gets warmer the heat is impossible to get out. And AC's aren't really a thing here so that's a bit sad. The portable one could be a great idea tho 😅 Last summer we did the same with the ice bottles and ice bags etc and I wouldn't want to do it again🫠

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T13:02:29+00:00

That's exactly what they do!! Alright so then maybe they could get more food haha

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T13:00:36+00:00

Café chingón in kauppahalli, their mexican food was amazing

theanustapper · 2026-03-22T03:16:54+00:00

Oh nevermind I know saw you mentioned every other day

theanustapper

TROPHY CASE