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Hi,
In regards to my axolotal tank. I currently have nothing on the bottom other than a pot and pipe for him to hide in and a couple of river stones leading up to the pot. I previously have course natural gravel on the bottom but I found he was 'sucking' the gravel in, getting bloated to where his tummy bulged and then with great difficulty started passing gravel in his bowel movements
Can someone tell me if they have experienced the same problem or what you have on the bottom of your axolotal tank.
It just looks so bare with nothing on the bottom.
Any comments appreciated,
BubbleLover

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My Fish like swimming all day long,
They love my bubbles 'pop' on their bum!
http://photos.yahoo.com/shedevil_90

Axolotls will swallow gastroliths (stones to aid with digestion) on purpose, but the behaviour can get compulsive and gut impaction is a common (and often fatal)problem. A lot of breeders raise axo's in totally substrate free tanks, and most axos in the hobby will therefore have already experienced such conditions at least when young, it generally doesnt bother them.

If the tank looks a bit bare you can still put lots of bogwood on the floor, and tie bunches of elodea to it. Axolotls love plants, they use them for breeding and in big tanks axos will even hang around wrapped up in mats of floating vegetation. Its probably better not to risk a loose substrate again if hes showing this behaviour, but you could try the old aquarists trick of oven roasting appropriate kinds of leaves and using them to floor the bottom of the aquarium. The tannins shouldnt bother the axo's, and he wont bother to swallow them, and if he does theyll probably break down and pass through the digestive system.Failing that ive seen some nice flat slate pebbles in shops that would be too big to swallow, if a bit heavy for a substrate. Obviously you shouldnt use sharp slates.

Thanks for the info.........not sure if I can get Elodea here in Oz but will look into it.

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My Fish like swimming all day long,
They love my bubbles 'pop' on their bum!
http://photos.yahoo.com/shedevil_90