Welcome home, axolotl!
This is a guide about how to acclimate your new axolotl based off my own personal shipping practices. It should be able to serve as a general guide. But it’s always a good idea to consult with your axolotl’s breeder/shipper to see what they recommend. Recommendations may change a bit based of different shipping practices, such as the use of breather bags, for example.
First thing first…
When your new axolotl arrives, make sure to bring them inside ASAP. I always provide tracking numbers, and work with new owners, to ensure that someone will be around to bring the axolotl in as soon as they are delivered. Axolotl are temperature sensitive. Under no circumstances should the box they are inside be left sitting out on a hot doorstep or porch.
Before you fully unpack your new axolotl friend…
Give your new axolotl a quick look over while they are still inside their bag. Many breeders will require photos of your axolotl still in his/her shipping bag if you need to report any shipping issues, so keep that in mind.
I ship axolotls double bagged in fish bags that will be about 1/3 full of water, 2/3s full of air. Keep in mind that shipping is stressful, and axolotls may look a bit pale or otherwise off color due to this stress. Taking the time to gently acclimate your axolotl to their new home can go a long way towards helping them to de-stress as quickly as possibly.
Unpacking your Axolotl!
Ideally, you’ll have an aquarium already set up and cycled for your new axolotl. If that’s not the case, a properly sized tub full of cool, de-chlorinated, water will do. Before letting your axolotl out of their shipping bag, float the bag in your tank (or tub) to get your axolotl used to the water temperature of their new home. I usually do this from around 15 to 30 minutes. If the water in your axolotl’s shipping bag is soiled, the shorter accumulation time is best. It gives them time to acclimate, but gets them out of the dirty water as soon as possible.
Once your little one is used to the temperature in their new home, carefully open their bag and add a bit of clean water from their new home into their shipping water. Wait 10 – 15 minutes, then repeat this step. Do this until the amount of water in the shipping bag has been about doubled, meaning that your axolotl will be in about 50% shipping water and 50% clean, de-chlorinated tank/tub water.
By now, you’re probably more than ready to see your axolotl in their new home! I’m sure your axolotl is even more ready to get out of that shipping bag! It’s time! Carefully move your axolotl from their shipping bag, and into their new enclosure. Avoid dumping the dirty shipping water into their new home if you can help it. You can, gently, remove them from their bag with a fish net, or your (clean!) hands. Or you can place a net over an empty bucket and gently pour out the dirty water, and your axolotl into the net. Then introduce him/her into their new home.
Life after being shipped…
I said it before and I’ll say it again, getting shipped can be stressful! Your axolotl will need some time before they feel fully at home in their new enclosure.
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It’s common practice to fast axolotls before shipping them, to avoid them soiling their shipping water as much as possible. Because of this, your new little one is likely to be hungry! I provide a sample bag of axolotl pellets (affiliate link) with my babies, which is the pellet they’re used to eating while they’re here with me. They also love, and are used to eating, appropriately sized pieces of earth worms and live blackworms.
If you already have resident axolotls, it’s best to quarantine your new little one before introducing them to others. House similarly sized axolotls together only. Babies or young adults may need time to grow out before they are ready to live with established adults. I recommend that only axolotls of the same sex, and of similar size, be kept together in the same tank.
Keeping your axolotls water cool and clean is always important. Especially so during their first weeks/months in their new home! Getting used to a new place, routine, foods, etc. is hard enough without also having to deal with poor water conditions. If you’re not keeping your axolotl in a cycled enclosure, the water in tubs should be changed daily, potentially every other day, depending on the size of your tub.
Enjoy your new wet pet!
If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns about your new axolotl friend please feel free to contact me!