Origin
The axolotl salamander is also known as the Mexican salamander or mexican walking fish. It is a neotenic fish (has the ability to reach sexual maturity and reproduce at the larva stage) related to the tiger salamander.
Although the axolotl salamander is known as the walking fish this is not a fish, but an amphibian.
The Mexican salamander is native to several lakes, including Lake Xochimilco in Mexico. It is the most famous Mexican neotenic salamander, which belongs to the group of Brindle salamanders of the family Ambystomatidae.
Although considered among the strangest species of salamanders, it is the symbol of Mexico. Typically, walking salamanders are bred in aquariums as decorative fish, especially in the United States, Great Britain, Australia and Japan (they are sold under the name wooper looper).
The number of representatives of the species Ambystoma mexicanum has decreased drastically due to the intensification of the urbanization process of the state of Mexico and, implicitly, the pollution of the waters.
Feeding Salamander Axolotl
The Mexican salamander axolotl is carnivorous. It feeds on insects, worms or small fish in the wild.
It locates food by smell and jumps by any potential prey it sucks in with force creating a kind of vacuum until the prey reaches the stomach.
In captivity they feed on several types of food: trout, salmon, frozen or live worms, some types of bream and waxworms.
They are disposed to cannibalism.
Characteristics and description Salamander Axolotl
Unlike other amphibians, the larvae of this species fail in their metamorphosis process, so the adults remain permanently aquatic and without gills. This retention of the larval stage is characteristic of them throughout their lives, so Axolotl specimens never come to resemble adult salamanders.
Although their lungs develop, their most bizarre feature is the retention of their gills, similar to arms. They are presented in the form of protrusions that start from the neck and extend on either side of the head.
The number of gills is six – three on each side of the head – being covered with fleshy endings, in the form of long and thin threads, which increase the surface for gas exchange.
The Axolotl has a long, thin and dark body and short legs, the forelimbs having four fingers and the hind ones having five. Albino individuals have also been recorded, but they do not live in the Wild, being bred only in captivity.
The axolotl salamander is inactive during the day, resting on the bottom with its gills extended. It moves very slowly and can occasionally come out to the surface of the water to take a “breath of air”. Young specimens feed on algae, while adults consume aquatic invertebrates. Axolotl is mainly hunted by batlans.
Ambystoma mexicanum is widely used in scientific research, due to its ability to regenerate most of the affected parts of the body, the ease with which it multiplies and the large number of embryos.
Although it may remain in larval form throughout its entire life, Axololt may metamorphose into a fully developed adult salamander if its aquatic habitat undergoes changes (e.g. water drying).).
Moreover, if injured, it does not scar tissue, but rather the area of affected tissue turns into stem cell-like cells, which means that the axololt salamander is able to fully rebuild limbs or body parts.
For aquaristics enthusiasts it is good to know that the water temperature for Mexican salamander is 12 to 20 gr celsius, preferably 17-18 degrees(63-64 Fareinheit). Higher temperatures lead to stress and greater appetite.
A single specimen of The Walking salamander needs a minimum Aquarium of 50l with a minimum depth of 15-20cm. Since this is the minimum for survivors, you should reserve a larger space for them to develop normally and to be able to walk freely. It's an animal that spends most of its time at the bottom of the aquarium.
About the substrate I can tell you that some say that sand is perfect for salamanders, but there are chances to swallow it and suffer digestive problems that can even lead to death. For safety it is good to have a substrate with stones larger than the head of the walking fish so that you can not swallow them.
Reproduction Salamander Axolotl
Although it remains in the larval stage all its life, Axolotl reaches sexual maturity between 12 and 18 months. Before mating, the males court the females, “dancing " in front of them and swallowing them.
After this ritual, they lay among the stones and aquatic plants the so – called spermatophores-the conical-shaped sperm packets that are taken by the females in order to fertilize the eggs internally.
They will lay the ferrilized eggs 24 hours later, wrapping them in mucus so that they are glued to each other. Incubation lasts two or three weeks.
A female can produce up to 400 eggs per day, the average being about 2000.
