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Axolotls - yay or nay?

7 replies

VforVienetta · 05/07/2017 16:33

There isn't an amphibian board so I'm hoping someone can help!

Does anyone have any opinions or experience of axolotls as pets?
I'd really like to get one as 6yo DS loves reptiles and amphibians, and I like salamanders so am happy to take the lead on care but have never kept one as a pet.
I've read a fair amount about them online and am confident we can have one.
BUT. There's always a but. A good friend has told me they're an unethical pet, and shouldn't be kept in tanks.
I can't find anything online that suggests this, as their needs seem to be basically the same as other aquatic pets, and DF has fish.
I spoke to an experienced keeper today and they don't agree with DF, but then they are hoping to sell me a tank etc....
So - yay axolotls or avoid avoid avoid?

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AllThreeWays · 05/07/2017 22:46

Interesting question, i had an axolotl as a pet years ago.
I had a bit of a Google and agree with you, there doesn't seem to be much about the actual ethics of keeping them in captivity other than making sure you have a big enough tank, giving them an axolotl friend and not keeping them with fish.
Oh and not trying to get them to morph.
Your thread actually comes up in the first few links so there cant be much out there.
Maybe ask your friend for proof.

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Patriciathestripper1 · 05/07/2017 22:49

I think dont thinks it's ethical to keep such creatures as pets.

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MattBerrysHair · 05/07/2017 22:57

They're creepy as hell!
But seriously, such creatures are ornaments rather than pets as it's a one way relationship. I personally find that unethical and wouldn't want a pet (i prefer to think of them as friends and companions rather than pets) that couldn't form a bond with a human.

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VforVienetta · 07/07/2017 12:17

A mixed response, but thank you!

Patricia & Matt do you feel the same way about all tanked animals, fish, non-handled reptiles etc?
I currently can't see the difference between having tropical fish etc and an axolotl?

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Patriciathestripper1 · 07/07/2017 14:48

Yes I do tbh, I knowwguy that breeds snakes for a living and for most of their lives they are kept in plastic boxes. It's just horrible.
I know a few people with fish and unfortunately I think it's goldfish that suffer the most kept in tanks that a poorly filtered and too small. Most of my friends have a goldfish and you can barely see the fish in the green water. The people I know with tropical fish fair better as they are more complex to keep and tend to put the time in as they are more expensive. But I would rather reptiles and fish etc were not 'pets'.

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VforVienetta · 07/07/2017 21:32

I totally agree about poorly kept tanks, but what about well kept ones?
I think this is why I don't get my friend's objection, she has fish, she looks after them very well, but they are in no way living in their natural environment.
I think you either don't agree with the concept of pets in general, or you don't get to pick and choose fine distinctions between hugely similar setups. I'd hope that everyone in their right mind would object to badly kept pets of any species!

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Boring12 · 10/07/2017 13:13

I used to have 3. They don't really do anything but I thought they were great. Just keep the tank clean, dark and cold. Do lots of research, and check out where you can buy earthworms from. They are super cute but they do get very big.