What is tubbing your axolotl? Why and how is it done?
What is Tubbing an Axolotl?
Tubbing an axolotl is, quite simply, keeping your axolotl in a plastic container, or tub. Shoe box sized plastic tubs seem to be used most frequently, although different sized tubs can be used based on the size of your axolotl. Tubbing an axolotl can be done for a number of reasons, including for health reasons (as a hospital tank), or as a place to keep your axolotl safe while you are preparing a tank. While tubbing, the water in your tub will need to be changed frequently, ideally once or twice a day, using cool, dechlorinated water.
Why Might You Need to Tub an Axolotl?
It is quite common for breeders to raise baby axolotls in tubs. Raising the babies this way makes it easier to keep a close eye on each individual baby. Cleaning tubs, even daily, goes pretty quickly, and most breeders don’t have the sheer amount of space it would take to raise lots of baby axolotls each in their own aquarium.
There are lots of other reasons why an axolotl might be tubbed too.
- It’s pretty common practice to tub axolotls while you’re working on cycling their tank.
- A tub can be used as a hospital “tank” to care for sick or injured axolotl.
- It can be used to quickly separate axolotls who are living together if one becomes too aggressive, or if one is sick and you don’t want to risk spreading disease.
- People who live in hot climates may decide to temporarily tub their axolotl if they’re having trouble keeping the temperatures in their main tank cool enough.
- A tub can act as an emergency tank if, for example, your main tank cracks or you have to evacuate your home.
Keep a Tub on Hand!
I personally feel that it’s important for axolotl owners to keep a tub or two on hand, per axolotl, in case of emergency. You never know when you may need emergency housing for your axolotl for one reason or another. Tubs can also double as a way to transport your axolotl safely.
Selecting a Tub for your Axolotl
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My current favorite type of tubs for my own axolotl are these Iris containers. I like that they come in a variety of sizes, are clear, and have locking lids. If I’ll be keeping an axolotl tubbed for any length of time I make sure to poke holes in the lid of the container. However, I do keep a few emergency tubs, with no holes in them, in stock. Tubs without holes are what I’d use, in an emergency, if I ever had to evacuate quickly with my axolotls. They’d also work for transporting axolotl. I don’t want water splashing all over my car.
Whatever brand you use, tubs should be large enough that your axolotl is fully submerged underwater. I like to make sure they have enough space to turn and move around a bit too. Larger tubs, with more water, will take longer to build up ammonia. It becomes a bit of a balancing act, though. Tubs that are too large will be heavy and more difficult to clean. If your axolotl is sick, you may not want to give them as much space as you would a healthy axolotl. I always make sure to use lids on my tubs (with holes punch in them if not being used for travel). If your axolotl is motivated enough they may be able to jump out of their tub.
How to Tub Your Axolotl
The main concern with tubs is that, since there is no cycle, ammonia and other chemicals will build up in the water quickly. This can be dangerous for your axolotl. I recommend, for smaller/juvenile axolotl, that you change the water in their tubs fully at least once a day. For subadult and adult axolotl, twice a day is better.
Make sure the water you use in your axolotl tub is cool and dechlorinated. I use Prime to condition the water for my axolotl.
Tubs Don’t Have to be Boring!
If you’re tubbing your axolotl because they are injured or sick, that’s one thing. If your axolotl is healthy and you’re tubbing for other reasons, keep in mind that you CAN decorate a tub! Providing items such as axolotl safe fake plants and hides can help keep your aquatic friend a bit more mentally stimulated. Just remember that the same rules to setting up your regular tank apply – no sharp objects, and nothing small enough to fit inside your axolotls mouth!
Are Tubs Stressful?
I’ve read accounts of owners saying that their axolotl seems depressed in a tub. Some even say they refuse to eat when tubbed. I’ve never experienced this with any of my own axolotls. Mine are always quite excited to eat, even when they are tubbed. Perhaps it depends on the individual axolotl, though. I also suspect it may depend on how well you maintain your tub (clean the water often!) and whether or not healthy tubbed axolotls are being provided with hides. If you have to keep a healthy axolotl tubbed for awhile and s/he is refusing food, try providing a hide or two. Even something simple and cheap, such as a PVC pipe, can help your axolotl feel more comfortable in their tub.
What Do You Think?
If done correctly, axolotls can happily be kept in tubs for however long they need to be maintained in one. Of course, big, cycled, aquariums are best. But sometimes life happens, and there are quite a few reasons why tubbing an axolotl may be appropriate. I’ve kept rescue axolotls in tubs while they recovered from illness and neglect. I’ve tubbed my own personal axolotls to transport them during a move, and when the cycle crashed in one of my aquariums. Keeping an animal in a small plastic tub may (understandably) seem cruel, but tubbing axolotls is usually done for their own well being. Tubbing your axolotl should be a temporary way to keep them safe until they can be moved into a large, stimulating, cycled aquarium.