Raising an axolotl from a hatchling to adulthood can be an incredibly rewarding experience. As your little aquatic salamander grows, its care requirements will change. By 2 months of age, your axolotl will have transitioned from strictly eating live foods to accepting pellets and other prepared foods.
At this stage, establishing the right tank conditions, nutrition, and health monitoring will set up your axie for a long, healthy life. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: provide a fully cycled, fine-gravel substrate tank that’s 20+ gallons, offer a variety of nutritious foods like high-quality pellets, frozen or live foods 3x a day, maintain water parameters like temperature around 60-65°F, test water quality, and watch for signs of illness.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to caring for your 2 month old axolotl!
In this roughly 3000 word guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about raising a healthy, thriving 2 month old axolotl. You’ll learn about perfecting water quality, choosing the right tank and setup, feeding a balanced axolotl diet, handling and socialization, signs of sickness, and much more.
Follow these tips and enjoy watching your juvenile become a thriving, fascinating pet.
Providing the Right Tank Setup
Tank Size and Type
For a single adult axolotl, a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended by axolotl care experts like Caudata.org. However, bigger is always better to dilute waste and provide more room. A long tank is better than a tall one since axolotls spend most of their time on the bottom.
Good tank types are glass or plastic with a secure lid.
Choosing Substrate
Bare bottom tanks or very fine sand under 1mm grain size are safest substrates for juvenile axolotls under 5 inches long according to Axolotl Central. Gravel or larger grains can be accidentally swallowed and cause impaction. An appealing golden quartz sand substrate by Caribsea is a good option.
Filtering and Circulation
Axolotls sensitive skin can easily get torn by strong filter intakes. Use sponge filters or adjust flow rates. According to Axolotl Central, aim for turnover of at least 10 times the water volume per hour for adequate gas exchange and waste removal without stressing the axolotl.
Decorations and Plants
Provide plenty of hides made of axolotl-safe materials like ceramic, resin or PVC. Live or silk plants make appealing decorations to explore and rest on. Avoid sharp decor or plants that could scratch delicate skin.
The Axolotl Discord recommends regularly sterilizing decorations to prevent bacterial/fungal growth.
Maintaining Proper Water Parameters
Temperature | 60-68°F (According to Caudata.org) |
pH | 6.5-8 |
Ammonia/Nitrite | 0ppm |
Nitrate | <20ppm (According to Axolotl Central) |
Use liquid test kits not strips for accuracy. Perform partial water changes of 20-30% weekly or when ammonia/nitrates get too high. Use water conditioner to remove chlorine and heavy metals. Maintaining pristine water quality is crucial for healthy axolotl growth and immunity.
Feeding a Healthy, Varied Diet
Transitioning Feed
When your axolotl reaches around 2 months old, it’s time to start transitioning them from live feed to pelleted food. This transition should be gradual over the course of 2-4 weeks. Start by alternating feedings between pellets and live food like bloodworms.
Slowly increase the ratio of pellets to worms until your axie is fully eating pellets.Going too fast with this transition can cause them to stop eating altogether, so patience is key!
High Quality Pellets
High quality pellets specifically formulated for axolotls, like those from reputable brands such as Aquatic Foods, should make up the staple diet. These pellets have the right nutrition profile to support healthy growth and development.
Make sure to pick a pellet size appropriate for the size of your axie. As they grow over their lifespan up to a foot long, you can gradually increase pellet size as well.
Treats and Supplements
In addition to pellets, you can offer treats like earthworms or blood worms 1-2 times a week. These stimulate activity and provide enrichment. Take care not to overfeed with treats, as axolotls will keep eating even when full!
Some keepers also use supplements like calcium or multivitamins, but these are usually unnecessary if feeding a balanced diet.
Feeding Schedule and Amounts
Axolotl Size | Pellets per Feeding | Times Fed Per Day |
2 inches | 2-3 | 2x (morning, night) |
4 inches | 4-5 | 1-2x per day |
6 inches+ | 6-8 | Every other day |
Use this table as a general guide for how much and how often to feed your axolotl as it grows. The exact amounts can vary a bit based on your individual pet’s appetite and activity level. As a rule of thumb, feed them an amount they can finish within 10-15 minutes 1-2x per day when young, scaling back as they mature.
Handling, Bonding, and Socialization
Handing Technique
When handling a 2 month old axolotl, it is important to use proper technique to avoid stressing or injuring the animal. Always make sure your hands are clean and wet before attempting to pick up your axie.
Scoop up the axolotl gently with both hands by cradling underneath their body, supporting the limbs and head. Never pick up an axolotl by their gills or tail as this can cause damage. Handle them over a tub of dechlorinated water in case they squirm free.
Limit handling to 5 minutes at a time, and no more than once per day as juvenile axolotls tire easily. Use slow, deliberate movements and give them time to adjust to being out of water. Signs of stress include thrashing movements or curling up.
Return stressed individuals back to their enclosure immediately. With regular, gentle handling a strong bond will form between owner and pet.
Bonding with Your Axolotl
There are several ways to create a bond with your 2 month old axie and build trust:
- Hand feed tasty treats like small worms – this connects you with positive associations.
- Make eye contact at their level and stroke their back gently.
- Sit by their tank and speak softly so they become accustomed to your presence.
- Keep a predictable feeding and handling routine so they learn when to expect you.
Building a bond from a young age will lead to an axolotl who enjoys interactions. Always work at their pace and keep sessions brief and rewarding.
Tank Mates and Socialization
Axolotls under 5 inches long should be housed alone as they may fall prey to tank mates. Their bite-size makes cohabitating risky. However, once your axolotl reaches adulthood around 12 months old, certain tank mates can be considered.
Compatible Tank Mates | Incompatible |
Snails like Ramshorn and Pond Snails | Fish |
Ghost Shrimp | Other Axolotls |
Crayfish | Aggressive Invertebrates |
Never house axolotls together as they are prone to nipping fins and limbs. Snails, ghost shrimp, and crayfish of similar size can make interesting additions once your axie is 6 inches long. Monitor all cohabitants closely for signs of aggression or stress.
For a solitary creature, an occasional mirror in their tank can allow juvenile axolotls to stimulate themselves through their reflection. But as they mature, the bond they form with their owner provides adequate social enrichment.
Monitoring Health and Identifying Illness
Signs of a Healthy Axolotl
A healthy axolotl will be active, have clear skin, and show interest in food. Here are some more signs that your axolotl is doing well:
- Bright, beady eyes – Eyes should be round, dark, and alert.
- Smooth skin with no lesions or fungus – Skin should appear smooth and clean with no fuzziness or discoloration.
- Strong, straight tail – The tail should not be kinked or curled under.
- Full feathery gills – Gills should be fully extended, long, and feathery in appearance.
- Good body weight – Axolotls should not appear too skinny or overweight.
Healthy axolotls are fairly active and responsive. They will move about their tank looking for food and explore new items placed in their environment. Lethargy, lack of appetite, and hiding all the time are signs something may be wrong.
Common Diseases and Parasites
While axolotls are quite hardy, they can sometimes fall ill. Here are some common axolotl diseases and parasites:
- Fungal infections – Fungus appears as white fuzz or cottony patches on the skin and gills. It is often caused by poor water quality.
- Bacterial infections – Bacteria can cause reddened, ulcerated lesions on the body and gills. Septicemia is a serious bacterial infection of the blood.
- Parasitic worms – Worms like nematodes live in the intestines and can cause weight loss and appetite decline.
- Protozoa – Single-celled parasites like Ichthyophthirius (Ich) lead to small white spots on skin and gills.
Stress, injury, poor nutrition, and improper husbandry increase the risk of disease. Quarantine new axolotls to prevent introducing pathogens. Maintain excellent water quality and remove any uneaten food promptly.
Treating Minor Injuries and Fungal Infections
Minor injuries like small scrapes or cuts usually heal well on their own with clean water. For more severe injuries or fungal infections, treatment options include:
- Antibiotic baths – For bacterial infections, a diluted bath of antibiotics can treat skin and gills.
- Anti-fungal baths – Baths with antifungal medicines clear fungal infections on the skin and gills.
- Salt baths – Baths with aquarium salt help heal wounds and inhibit fungal growth.
- Medicated creams – Topical antifungal or antibiotic creams can be applied directly to wounds.
Remove carbon filtration during medicated bath treatments and monitor water parameters closely. Most skin issues can be resolved within 1-2 weeks with prompt treatment. Seek vet care for any severe or systemic infections.
Conclusion
With the right habitat setup, nutrition, gentle handling, and close observation, your 2 month old axolotl is well on its way to becoming a thriving, fascinating pet. By following this guide, you can feel confident that you’re providing everything needed to raise a healthy, long-lived amphibian.
Enjoy getting to know your axolotl’s unique behaviors and personality as you care for it during these crucial juvenile months. With attentive, research-based care, you and your axie will build a close bond over the years to come!