My Struggles Caring for an Axolotl - 1 Year Update! 

"This and the Savannah Monitor are the most difficult species I've ever had to keep." You mean besides... *THE* *C* *A* *C* *T* *U* *S* *?*

"This has been the most difficult experience" *flashbacks* to iguana whipping face,scratching alexs arms and hitting his groin. *flashbacks* to rosie hissing like a demon *flashbacks* to dead cactus

“It’s a poop sausage- but if you break it, it’s a poop P I N A T A!”

Convinces you she's deceased five times a day lmao. That clip of her just floating is hilarious.

“They just exist....and I hate it” 😂😂 That’s how I feel about most people

That's how I feel about fruit flies. They don't even hurt anybody but I hate them.

It's really refreshing to hear someone talk about the mistakes they've made (and overcome!) when caring for a completely new animal. Aquatic pets are no joke, and how some people can say that fish require no effort still blows my mind. Cycling a tank is probably THE most important aspect of fish keeping, yet a lot of people (even experienced animal keepers, such as yourself) don't know much about it. It's cool to see people learn. :) Your lotl is adorable, by the way.

No one: Absolutely no one: Axolotl: *floats* Alex: Oh no

"poop pinata" brought some interesting visuals to mind

Amphibian owners be like: Send newts

“She convinces me like five times a day that she’s deceased.” Idk why but that line made me lol

Poop sausage. Poop piñata. I’ve had axolotls for 4 years and that is such an accurate description lol.

3:17 That is a much better kit than the strips actually, not because it's fancy but because it is accurate. 4:41 You can use a turkey baster for poop. 12:30 Get like 1 or 2 more java ferns on driftwood. Plants can take in the excess "nutrients" and help with the ammonia.

Water weighs 8.34lbs per gallon, so while Idk what that aquarium weighs by itself, but the water alone in a 20gallon is the better part of 170lbs. I am not at all surprised you can't move it when it's full. With a quarter of the water, I imagine it still weighs close to 100lbs with equipment and filters and decor. You're not a weakling Alex. You're a buffed ass stud and manly man. Your masculinity is safe with us.

Those detritus. They aren't harmful, they cant do anything to the axolotl, they cant do anything to you. They just exist. *And I hate them.* (With a burning passion)

Axolotls are close to extinct in their natural habitat, scientists are working on ways to get their numbers up in the wild and with the help of these Mexican nuns that are experts in caring for axolotls they are making some progress.

I understand the frustration of figuring this all out and getting a tank fully set up. As an axolotl owner with several other fish tanks (all have been established for 2+ years), I hope I can still offer some helpful advice. - First of all, you should never need to do 50% water changes twice a week. That might be causing more problems than good when it comes to the bacteria to set up the cycle. If you need to, she can live in a smaller tank doing daily water changes while you focus on cycling this tank. - There were some comments saying an HOB filter isn't good enough and you need a canister filter... An HOB filter is ABSOLUTELY FINE for the tank you have. You DO NOT need to get an expensive canister filter for it, since it is such a small tank. That being said, I do suggest getting a different filter. A sponge filter won't hold enough filter media to keep the tank clean enough, never mind cycle it. To fully cycle it, try to have a variety of filter media in the tank (bio beads, a sponge, and charcoal). Every month or two, replace ONE of them (and honestly, we go longer than that without replacing the media and the tank is fine). This will keep enough bacteria in the filter to keep the cycle going. On top of this, absolutely never rinse your media out in fresh water and try to only rinse it out in the tank water (while you're doing a water change, put some tank water in a cup) when the media is really gross. - Is your turtle tank cycled? If so, just take some media from the canister filter and move it into the filter for this tank. This will automatically jump-start the cycle on this tank and the bacteria will spread to the other filter media. This is also a great way to quickly cycle any future tanks! - If you're going sand-less because you like the way it looks or because maintenance is easier, just ignore this part. But it sounds like you liked the way it looked more with the sand. Unless it is a very thick layer of sand (more than an inch) with air pockets and poop buried in it, the sand really shouldn't cause problems. I use a turkey baster to suck up the poop and it doesn't disturb the sand (which means you don't have to rinse the sand! :) ). Honestly, the sand will probably help cycle the tank faster. We have always had sand in with our axies and we haven't had any problems. - You may want to consider putting a baffle on the tank to block some of the flow using a 2 liter pop bottle, rather than a paper towel. Here is a link to a similar one using a water bottle. We just used a pop bottle because it looked a little nicer. It's super easy to do, and it lasts a while. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IOkh_BB_OLc.html - Curling gills are definitely a sign of stress, but a curled or ruffled tail can also be a big sign. Mine don't always curl their gills, sometimes only their tail curls. - Topping off the tank is FINE as long as you aren't using it as a replacement for water changes. A water change is still necessary once a week or once every other week. In the meantime, topping the tank off is okay. The problem comes when people are using it to keep their tank full for a month or two, thinking that is good enough to keep the tank clean. I hope this helps! We first got our tanks when we were in college dorm rooms and it was definitely a learning curve to get them set up! If it helps, you sound like you're doing a great job trying to figure the cycle problem out! I think most people would have given up by this point so it is really nice to see you still trying! :)

my axolotl likes to sit directly under the filter flow and actually gets upset when i cover it up so she cant and tears everything down just so she can sit under it

"They just exist, and I hate it." 😂😂😂

"She convinces me she's dead at least 5 times a day." Same with my oldest rat😂 I could throw his cage and he'll still be fast asleep but let me bring some treats in and suddenly we've had a resurrection.

convinced my axolotl would be a stoner if he were a person

"She convinces me that she is deceased like 5 times a day." Oh, I feel your pain. My husband was at work one night and I came in to find Pickle floating around. I freaked out and called my husband in a panic crying. He's trying to calm me down and the little squirt starts swimming around 🤦‍♀️

As an aquarium person, I have one vital question to ask, that may solve the mystery of the ammonia problem (because sand doesn't cause ammonia): How are you taking care of your filter media? Rinsing it? Changing it?

Literally been binge watching you for like 3 days😂 love the videos dude!

Those up close shots are beautiful... you never notice all the detail until you look close. (Edit:) Oh yea the axolotl up close is cool too *badum ching*

If you've got algae and lighting is an issue, you could also try a floating type of plant like duckweed or frogbit. They would give your tank some shade and absorb the nutrients from the water, slowing down the algae growth. Plus since they float they wouldn't get in the way of poop cleanups.

Axolotls are from Mexico City and r only native to one lake in the world for anybody wonderingn

i set really high standards for myself dont kill it sameeeee

posting an axolotl care update a day after TND is a power move

Topping off is perfectly fine as long as it doesn't REPLACE water changes. You can top off every day if you want to.

"They just exist and I hate it " Me towards my entire school in a nutshell

“They exist.... AND I HATE IT.” I died lmao

Your videos are super cool!!! Just so you know I'm 45(I mentioned it because I'm sure I'm not your target audience!!!) And your videos are totally turning me on to reptiles!!! Keep up the great work!!!

I LOVE the name woobeewoo. I smiled so much hearing that. Adventure time will never die 💪 💕

“This is the hardest animal I have ever cared for...” *what about the...* C A C T U S

When I had detritus I removed most of the sand and just left a thin layer. Never got detritus again and my ammonia and nitrate levels are normal!

Detritus worms usually go away in tanks with fish cause the fish eat them like candy. The worms work like springtails in a bioactive to break down waste into stuff your plants can use. If you're having filter issues, I recommend getting a canister filter (fluval is great) or just another smaller secondary filter. I rip out the cartridge and replace it with a bag of bio rings/balls and a couple hunks of filter floss/polyfil. Whatever you do, do not wash or replace your filter media, that could be the reason behind your cycle issues. Your current filter is a HOB-Hang on Back, not a sponge filter. A sponge filter is a sponge with a air pump blowing air through the middle, creating a low flow.

Axolotl: Exists *Pokemon Fans*: "Is this a Mudkip?"

i had one of those tiny aquatic frogs a few years ago and it floated around so much that every day i was convinced it was dead right up until the day it actually died. ironically, his name was ryuk (deathnote), so i guess it was fitting that he did that.

A-X-O-L-T-L MY TIME HAS COME TO BURN I INVOKE THE ANCIENT POWERS IN WHICH I MAY RETURN

Fun fact, she could randomly Go through her adult metamorphose at any point in her life now. Its rare but it can happen.

Dude, your videos are fantastic! Your topics are good and varied and you're clearly transparent about your opinions and how you care for your animals. You're one of the best animal/pet youtubers.

Also Your Sarcasm/seriousness is so real and funny . You are one of my favs

Alex please give us an update on your blue tongue skink we have not seen them in so long 🥺🤲🏽

i love this kid and need more of him

Axolotls can be pretty curious creatures, so if you move/add an extra hide you'll find them "checking them out" a lot. The same way a cat likes to lay on furniture if you just moved it.

To help cycle a tank before receiving an aquatic animal, you can put a frozen uncooked shrimp in a tank and let the filter run. It releases the ammonia from the dead shrimp and starts activating the nitrites and nitrates. Eventually the ammonia will be zero while your nitrates boost.. give it about 2 weeks or more if you can. I love that you stretched out into unknown territory! You did good 👍

Actually axolotls don't really reach a full size. They grow to the space they have, so if an axie is kept in a massive enclosure they can grow up to a foot long on some cases. Keeping your axie where she is is by no means bad, though. Also, you can totally pet them! You just have to wash you hand first

OMG I just realized that Woobeewoo Is her name lmao best name ever

“We have very few similarities, we both have eyes” DYING 🤣 love this whole video, I just rescued 3 of them and had a lot of learning curves, 100% I’d love to see more videos about her💕

They're just GoDz chilling in their universe

I used to have 5 Axolotls, but sadly I had to rehome them due to my health. But a couple tips: if you see ammonia it means your tank isn’t cycled, or that the cycle is stalling. You can add liquid bacteria to help with that. Also, use a turkey baster to remove the waste. It’ll save you doing so many water changes, which doesn’t help with cycling the tank. Usually a 25-30% water change once a week is enough when you manually remove the waste. Also, if you don’t want a bare bottom tank and are still against having sand, you could try slate tiles.

Alex if you end up getting another axolotl and you want to keep them in the same enclosure make sure they are similar in size. Woobeewoo WILL eat a smaller axolotl and a small axolotl WILL bite woobeewoo. Take it from someone who's experienced it. My big guy ate the smaller guy and then became impacted and died. Haven't been able to keep axies since.

The Nitrogen cycle and water changes are KEY! Good on you for trying something new. All the best from Montana!

Turkey baster helps with spot cleaning the evil turd sausages! And ghost shrimp are a yummy snack and also take care of all the micro bodies! Mine eat the copepods and the ugly non parasite worms. Your girl looks super happy! I call the gills on the head floofs. My little boy floofs everytime I call him beautiful. Great job!

“They just exist and I hate it.” I think I feel this way about 7 different times a day about a lot of things.

Whenever I see an axolotl, I convince myself that I want one. Then I remember the care requirements and I decide to stick to my polypterus lol.

You’re doing great!!! You’ve got great instincts and seem to be very proactive, caring, and responsible. I’m impressed! Don’t let the haters get to you. 😊

Thank you for all that you do. Your videos are great. I’ve learned so much from you thank you. I’m a 74-year-old grandmother who loves learning everything you have to teach us

Boy don’t I know about detritus. I almost cried cus I thought my fish were gonna die bc i literally saw my pleco eat one. Scariest thing ever

Yay squishy water lizard!!! I love theeem!

Axolotls are criticly endangered, the fact that your able to take care of one proves theres still hope. Your awesome

options: at some point, if you wish to rescape: -sponge filter: way easy; can get a quiet air filter. -fans: silent computer fans do the same job cheaper; lots of easy DIY's out there for whatever amount of effort you might want to extend. -silicone slate tile to the bottom: nice visually, good traction for the Axy - floating plants or dwarf water lily or two in a pot; gives cover; she doesn't need much light; better w/ not too bright anyway. as long as she doesn't have difficulty coming up for air. `hope some of that's useful, or gives some ideas.

One can have a reaction to detritus worms. They make my arms itch, requiring Benadryl! Wear gloves during water changes if you have to. I learned the hard way.

3:57 Nobody: axolotl: wWwWwWeEeEeEeEeE

had my axolotl for 4 years, glad to see yours is doing well. I really like the darker/wild types.

Dude you’re super chill, wouldn’t mind an afternoon tea and just chatting about your adventures. Hope you and your babies are doing well during pandemic

I got detritus in one of my fish aquariums when I was in grade school and I lost my mind! They were everywhere and I thought they were hurting my fish so I took all my fish aquarium and called PetSmart to ask them what to do. I had to get transferred four times before someone knew what I was talking about. First thing the lady said was "don't take your fish out of the aquarium." So I'm like, "well I already did."

“It’ll just pop right back!… D-don’t … don’t pop your axolotls leg off…” 😂😂😂

You made the best video on Axolotl! I love it! Great sense of the humor! Nice editing! Good job!

She’s super pretty! :) I think I’ve only ever seen pictures of babies. I’m glad you made this video because I know a lot of people who find these guys adorable and would love to keep them but I don’t think any of us fully understood how much care and work goes into keeping them.

Omg I just realized I did a thing where I watched like all of your videos in a row, but you just showed up in my suggested videos and homepage so much that I never realized I never actually subscribed 😂 oops!

They are not extinct in mexico, but their population has decreased dangerously. They are native to most lakes in the valley of Mexico. In the cities around these lakes (Mexico City for example) there's a big conservation effort being made :)

I'm actually considering getting an axolotl when I go to college, so I'm going to take notes on what not to avoid lol

You crack me up. I love your sense of humor. Lol. One of my favorite animal keepers on RU-vid!

Hey man I have 2 axolotls and the way i fixed the ammonia problem was removing my live plants and actually doing less water changes.

I watch alot of videos like this on RU-vid, but if I ever have a chance to own one of these animals I would turn to your channel for information ^-^

All creatures are different, what stresses or upsets one, won’t bother another in the slightest and vice versa. Don’t listen to all the people bitching that there’s only one right way to do something. Your animals seem happy and healthy and that’s all that matters, and you obviously care a lot about the animals and have educated yourself well. Personally I’m a bird person and although many people hate seeing birds in cages, some birds actually love being in their cages! My birds are free as they please- one only ever went into the cage at night to sleep, another loves her cage so much and would prefer to be in it most of the time, she comes out for cuddles but after 10-15 minutes will want to go back and play in the cage- it’s her territory and she obviously feels better protected and more comfortable while in it, and I don’t care as long as she’s happy- she’s still playful and has a great personality, she just prefers to spend most of her time in the cage- it’s no different from a young teenager who might prefer to hang out in their bedroom most days lol 😉 Great video- I’ve been really loving your channel 👍

Your just real with your experiences. And im more in the hobby of aquariums so its so dope to see you make this video! I feel you on everything youve gone through for real 😂

“Axolotl poop is so easy to clean cause they go in these little packets” Yeah me too

thank you for taking care of our little god!!

i remember when you were just starting out. so good to see you doing so well!

Haha I love your humor and blunt honesty! Finally someone I can relate too

How to keep ammonia levels down. Feed less or put more live plants in

hi dad edit: omfg i cant its to cute 1:42

we got ours on accident and have had just as many/the same problems you have had and the worse mistake we made was listening to so called experts on a so called axolotl website .. we took the same approach you did we quit listening to them and did what worked for us.. now our baby is healthy and huge and looks better than before she got sick (ammonia problems too) she even had a burn in her tail that went all the way through and is completely healed now .. we have albino (pink with pink eyes) her name is swim shady (we though we had a male at first) but has bar none been the hardest but most rewarding year but now she is thriving and beautiful... thanks for the vid .. made me feel good knowing i did right for my axi

My axie is very active. She goes full force one way, lets herself float and then rams into the tank wall. She then swims around a lot, presses herself up against the glass with her belly showing, then to turn around by curling up in a ball against the glass, with her belly still in full view then springing away. I love her anyway

Detritus: **EXISTS** Alex: **'They need to die!'**

axolotl is pronounced more like a-sho-lote, nahuatl which is the language of prehispanic mexicans do the tl sound in their special little way

I am currently looking into getting an axolotl because an owner in my area had 2 axolotl's who had babies. This was very helpful and informative! Thankyou!

I’m glad I found your channel. I like this Axolotl and I think it’s because she has freckles like me lol. Keep updating and yes, trust in YOUR knowledge of YOUR animal. You’re on the right track.

"I set really high standards for myself... don't- kill it." The cactus ghost is present here

also i would die for Woobeewoo

She’s changed so much so cool to see

I thought this was gunna be a boring video but actually super entertaining. Can't wait to get my axolotl

Axolotls are Illegal in California ughhhhhhh. They're so cool though!

She so big! And so very cuuuute...but.. *I still miss cactus*

When they float upside down that usually means they aren't getting enough O2/Oxygen (which floats up to the surface). They cope by pulling O2 from the surface, if their gills curl back towards the body it means that they can't get enough O2 even by pulling from the surface.

You are doing an awesome job! Keep at it!

lol... the wormy head things are the gills. That's how she breathes.