{"product_id":"brown-wild-coloured-black-eye-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum","title":"Brown Wild Coloured Black Eye Axolotl Ambystoma Mexicanum","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Wild Coloured Axolotl shows the natural pattern of the Mexican axolotl, a salamander that keeps its larval body and feathery external gills for life. Its olive-brown to grey body is speckled with black and gold flecks, with dark eyes and greyish gills. Native to the lake system south of Mexico City, it suits patient keepers who can provide cool water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 20–28 cm (8–11 in); occasionally larger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–15 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Lake Xochimilco canals near Mexico City\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Cool, still, muddy-bottomed lakes and canals with dense plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Earthworms, axolotl pellets, bloodworm, blackworm, prawn, daphnia for young\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Juveniles daily; adults every two to three days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Kept alone, or similar-sized axolotls in a large tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e All fish, shrimp and snails; smaller or juvenile axolotls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Docile but opportunistic; swallows anything mouth-sized\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Not territorial; nips limbs and gills of tankmates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner to Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Keeping water below 21°C in summer; gentle, fully cycled filtration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, cool; no heater required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 14–20°C (57–68°F); never above 22°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 6–15 dGH; avoid very soft water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow; spray bar or baffled filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 90 litres per adult; floor area matters more than height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn axolotl is a long-term commitment and a summer problem in a warm room, so plan for a fan or chiller before buying. Use fine sand or a bare base, as gravel is swallowed and causes impaction. Fit a tight lid, keep lighting dim and use only smooth decor, since the skin and gills damage easily. Mature males show a swollen cloaca. Given cool, clean water, this is a charming pet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"10cm","offer_id":64680664859001,"sku":"STF-AXL-WILD-COL-10cm","price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5cm","offer_id":64680664891769,"sku":"STF-AXL-WILD-COL-5cm","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-AXL-WILD-COL.png?v=1790096848","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/brown-wild-coloured-black-eye-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}