Leucistic Axolotl facts - animals city

Content

• Quick Facts About Leucistic Axolotls
• Do Leucistic Axolotls Make Good Pets?
• appearance
• How to Care for Leucistic Axolotls
• Habitat, tank conditions and setup
• Tank recommendations
• Feeding Your Leucistic Axolotl
• Diet summary
• Keeping Your Leucistic Axolotl Healthy
• Common Health. problems
• Lifetime
• Breeding
• Are Leucistic Axolotls Friendly? Our handling advice
• Shedding and bruising: What to expect
• How Much Do Leucistic Axolotls Cost?
• Summary of Care Guide
• Result

Axolotls are cute amphibians that are always smiling. They are growing in popularity because of their charm and feathers. They have specific needs, though, and they're not always the best choice for first-time amphibian caregivers unless they're familiar with their needs. Leucistic Axolotls are often confused as albinos due to their white coloring and pink or red gills. They are different, though, and very unique pets.

Quick Facts About Leucistic Axolotls

Species Name: Ambystoma mexicanum.

Common name: Axolotl

Level of care: Moderate

Lifetime: 10-15 years.

Adult Size: 10-18 inches.

Food: Carnivore

Minimum tank size: 20 gallons.

Temperature and humidity 60-70°F; Humidity is NA.

Do Leucistic Axolotls Make Good Pets?

Leucistic Axolotls can make excellent pets for those who have researched their care and prepared them before bringing them home. They can become sociable and comfortable with their owner and are relatively docile. Leukism makes them easy to see even in a dark tank, which can be an advantage since they prefer dark environments.

One downside to owning Axolotls is that they are only recommended to be kept in species tanks. Small fish and shellfish can quickly become a snack for an axolotl. Larger fish can trip over your Axolotl's tender gills, which can easily cause injury. Any tank mates you try to keep with an Axolotl should be peaceful but large enough to eat.

appearance

Axolotls are fully aquatic salamanders, hence their lizard-like appearance. However, they have a dorsal fin that runs partially under the body and under the tail. They have small feet. Their mouths are also slightly upturned which seems to give them a permanent smile.

Their most prominent feature is their feathery gills that cling to the sides of the face, giving them a framed appearance. Leucistic Axolotls are white or pink in color and have black eyes. Their flowers are usually pink or red.

How to Care for Leucistic Axolotls

Habitat, tank conditions and setup

Tank

Adult Axolotls should be kept in tanks. Solid waste should be removed from the tank every day or two through a gravel pit. Adequate filtration is essential for the number of Axolotls in the tank to maintain health and good water parameters.

Lighting

Axolotls lack eyelids and are sensitive to bright light, so they need minimal tank lighting. Avoid any kind of lights that can heat the water. Natural light may be appropriate in the room where the tank is located. Nighttime lighting can be used so you can see your axolotl when it is most active in the dark.

Heat (temperature and humidity)

These amphibians are cold-water animals and should not be kept in a heated tank unless it is absolutely necessary to maintain a safe temperature. They prefer water temperatures of 60-65°F but can thrive in temperatures up to 70°F. Because they are completely aquatic, tank humidity is not a concern with Axolotls.

Substrate

Axolotls are known to eat substrate and can become infected. Ideally, they should be kept in tanks with a bare bottom or fine-grained sand that can be moved if they eat.

Tank recommendations

Type of tank. 20 gallon+ aquarium

Lighting Dim or natural non-warming lighting.

heating Not recommended.

Excellent substrate. Fine-grained aquifer sand or bare bottom.

Feeding Your Leucistic Axolotl

Your Leucistic Axolotl is a complete carnivore, so they will not need plant material. They prefer live food and can be fed things like worms, night crawlers and black worms. They can be offered thawed frozen foods or meaty foods such as cooked shrimp, bloodworms and even feeder worms. Salamander or axolotl-specific commercial foods should also be provided.

Axolotls need to be fed at least once a day. They have poor eyesight and it is best to serve food directly in front of them.

Diet summary.

Commercial pellets. 50% of the dose.

Insects 50% of the dose.

Meat. As an invitation.

Supplements are required. No one

Keeping Your Leucistic Axolotl Healthy. A fully cycling tank that does not produce strong currents is essential for high water quality and proper filtration will help maintain health. Also, provide a safe tank environment free of sharp edges to prevent injury to your exotic axolotl's sensitive skin.

Common Health. problems

Skin infections.

Parasitic infection.

Heartburn

The most common health problems are realated to water. These can include skin infections, parasitic infections and gill irritations. Some water quality problems, such as elevated ammonia or nitrates, can lead to rapid death.

Lifetime

With proper care, your Leucistic Axolotl can be expected to live 10-15 years. However, many axolotls are not kept in a suitable environment, which can significantly reduce their life expectancy. Monitor your water parameters closely and make sure you are feeding your exotic axolotl the highest quality food to give it the longest life.

Breeding

Keep axolotls in only tanks until you try to breed. Males will breed females and may injure or kill them, so they should not be allowed unfettered access to females. Axolotls are relatively easy to keep in captivity, even in home aquariums.

Males will collect spermatophore sacs and then lead them to the female, which she picks up and uses to fertilize the eggs. Over the next 12 hours to 3 days, the female will lay her fertilized eggs. Axolotls can lay up to 1500 eggs in a single clutch. Once laid, the eggs will take about 15 days to hatch.

Are Leucistic Axolotls Friendly? Our handling advice.

Leucistic Axolotls can be shy, especially during daytime hours. They quickly adjust to your presence and feeding routine. However, you should not handle your Leucistic Axolotl unless absolutely necessary. They have sensitive, accessible skin that can be easily damaged by handling. They also do not like to be handled and this can cause them unnecessary stress.

Shedding and bruising: What to expect

Axolotls do not swim and generally will not enter a home aquarium in a wound state. If their water temperature drops below their comfort range, you may notice lethargy and a loss of appetite.

How Much Do Leucistic Axolotls Cost?

Prepare to spend $80-30 or more to acquire a Leucistic Axolotl. These salamanders are prized for their coloration, which can add value. When you first get your exotic axolotl, you'll also need to be prepared for the costs associated with purchasing and setting up the tank and food.

Summary of Care Guide

Occupation

• Gentle nature.
• Cute and unique.
• Simple food.

Cons of

• Should be kept individually or in x-specific tanks.
• Best kept in species tanks only.
• Should not be handled.

Result

A Leucistic Axolotl will never fail to put a smile on your face with its flowing tusks and cheeky grin. They require specific care, but can be easy to achieve with proper research and preparation. Their food and tank needs are easily met if you understand them. These fun salamanders can live with you for a long time with proper care and maintenance.