The proper way to tub your axolotl depends on what you are trying to accomplish. There are several reasons why you might want to tub your axolotl:
- To house your axolotl while your tank is cycling
- To hold your axolotl during water changes, feeding and/or emergencies
- To treat a sick/injured axolotl
- To transport an axolotl during a move or a trip to the vet
- To house growing larvae or juveniles
- To house a special-needs axolotl permanently
I’m going to cover the first point right now, since that’s the information most people need in a hurry, and I’ll come back and edit the rest in later when I’m in less of a hurry. (Oh, the joys of running your own business!) But first, here’s a quick list of food-grade plastics — you’ll need to refer to it when choosing a housing container for your axolotl.
Plastics considered food-safe in Canada
- Plastic #1 (PETE)
- Plastic #2 (HDPE)
- Plastic #4 (LDPE)
- Plastic #5 (PP)
How to tub your axolotl while your tank is cycling
You will need:
- two food-safe plastic totes, large enough for your axolotl to move around comfortably
- at least one piece of floating decor, to provide shade and prevent jumping (anything reminiscent of a lily pad is appreciated!)
- water conditioner, if your tap water is treated with chlorine/chloramine
- a turkey baster (choose one with a wide opening if possible)
- a thermometer
- a soft sponge (nothing that could scratch plastic)
Follow these steps once a day:
- Fill up a clean, dry plastic container with cold tap water (enough to cover your axolotl by at least 2 inches). Add water conditioner if needed.
- Remove any decor and set aside.
- Use the turkey baster to remove any axolotl poop. Dump it right into your aquarium! It will keep your bacteria fed and help the cycling process.
- Feed your axolotl before transferring it to the new clean tub.
- Once your axolotl is done eating and both tubs are roughly the same temperature (±2°C), transfer your axolotl.
- Use the soft sponge and hot water to clean the decor. Rinse with cold water, then add to the clean tub.
- Dump out the dirty water. Use the soft sponge and hot water to clean the tub. Let it air dry.
I will post about more tubbing scenarios as soon as I get the chance, thank you for your patience. For cycling help, check out these articles: Introduction to the Nitrogen Cycle and How to Cycle Your Aquarium.