Axolotl: The Unusual Mexican Walking Fish
Among the wonderful Mexican fauna, one of the most famous and appreciated species in
Mexico is the Axolotl,
due to its unusual physical appearance, which is striking and really adorable.
Many people have been captivated by this species, which they have called "Mexican walking fish”
and have wanted to have it in their home aquariums.
The Axolotl is one of the rarest animals in the world and unfortunately is in danger of
extinction.
Welcome to our channel, in today's video we will be taking a look at the ever popular
Axolotl. Before we dive in be sure to smash that like button. Of so let's begin.
Scientific Name. Its scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum. The Axolotls name comes from the
Nahuatl word Xolotl,
which was the name of the Aztec god of death and resurrection, which according to Aztec
mythology, he became an Axolotl to escape from his enemies.
This fish is also known as "Mexican walking fish" although it is actually an amphibian.
Origin and Habitat. This creature is native to the lakes of Xochimilco, near Mexico City,
its evolutionary origin dates back more than 400 years.
Currently, due to factors such as the urbanization of the area and water pollution, it is impossible
to find them in their natural habitat.
It is considered an endangered species by the Mexican government since they estimate
that only 700 to 1,200 specimens exist.
Physical Characteristics. Size: they can reach a size of 12 inches while some have reached
18 inches in length depending on their habitat,
they have a long and thin body and weigh around 2 to 8 ounces. There have been some recorded
at 12 ounces.
Appearance: physically they are described as "tadpoles one step away from becoming salamanders".
This aspect is because, although they become adults, they never stop being a tadpole completely.
The Axolotl's skin is smooth and covered by a kind of protective "mucus"; its head is
wide, its eyes are round, small and black that do not have eyelids.
Its legs are short and its tail is shaped like a fin that helps it swim. It has six
external gills behind its head,
with which it breathes; it can also breathe through its lungs by its skin and through
its mouth.
They have a cartilaginous skeleton and muscles like fish. In addition, they have teeth and
a jaw powerful enough to hold their prey tightly.
Color: Usually, sand colored or browns with darker spots and dark purple gills, rarely
white or albino.
Lifespan: It is between 10 and 12 years, but in captivity can live up to 15 years.
Axolotl's Behavior. Axolotls can go out and walk on the land, but they prefer to lurk
at the bottom of lakes or rivers,
even though they have lungs, they do not use them to breathe. They have a quiet personality
most of the time.
They remain almost inactive during the day and sporadically come to the surface of the
water to breathe.
Except at lunchtime where they become a little more aggressive with their prey. The Axolotls
communicate with each other through chemical and visual signals,
this happens much more frequently in the mating period where they also communicate through
pheromones.
Regeneration Capacity. Axolotls have an excellent capacity for regeneration. They can regenerate
their legs, tail, and even organs
such as the kidney, heart, or lungs, achieving complete functionality in approximately 2
months.
Some scientists are researching the DNA of the axolotls to get clues about their regeneration
to help the studies of human tissue regeneration.
Food. They are carnivorous animals, usually eating mollusks, small fish, worms, mosquito
larvae, and even in some cases
can eat some axolotls that are smaller than them, even if it is an adult. Inside the aquarium,
you can give them high-quality
granules that provide the nutrients they need in addition to small strips of meat and fish.
Their food must be of adequate size so that they can digest it whole, bear in mind that
these animals have very small teeth, which make chewing a little difficult in some cases.
Breeding. This is the only animal that has the ability to reproduce in its larval state.
They are sexually mature after 6 months,
most reaching puberty in the first year of life. Their reproduction period starts from
January to March, it only happens once a year
and the water temperature level has a great influence on this process. Courtship begins
when the male and female get close together,
then they begin to move in a circular way, and at one point the male moves away a little
and is chased by the female.
Then, the male will deposit a protein capsule containing a mass of spermatozoa, transferred
during mating,
(this process is called Spermatophore) on some stone or aquatic vegetation and the female
will collect them to be fertilized afterward.
Once the female has fertilized, she will be able to lay eggs by group in the next 24 to
48, the Axolotl females can lay between 300 and 1000 eggs.
The hatchlings are born between 10 and 14 days later.
Aquarium Conditions. There are some aspects to take into account in order to have a quality
aquarium for an Axolotl so that it can live in optimal conditions,
they are cold-water animals, therefore they can get stressed with high temperatures.
The aquarium should be large; as the Axolotl is about 12 inches though some have gotten
as big as 18 inches and can way as much as 12 ounces,
they need an aquarium of about 10-15 gallons, so that they can swim comfortably. Also, be
sure to place a lid on the tank.
Axolotls have been know to jump out of their aquariums from time to time. The temperature
should be between 60-65ºF (15 -18 ºC),
with multiple hiding places and preferably with live silver. And never let the temperature
go over 71 ºF (21 ºC)
For newborn babies, the appropriate water temperature should be between 64and 68ºF
(18and 20ºC) and it is recommended that it does not exceed 77 ºF (25ºC).
Try to keep the water temperature at a steady and stable range. Fluctuating temps can cause
stress on the Axolotl and make them prone to stress and infections.
Lighting should be dim and cold since they are nocturnal animals, bright light could
stress them, and it is necessary to keep the water at the right temperature.
A good filter is essential to preserve the quality of the water and an air pump to maintain
the right amount of oxygen so that the axolotls can breathe comfortably with their gills.
Tank Mate. It is difficult to find an aquarium partner for an axolotl. In order to put them
in an aquarium with other fish, some requirements must be met,
such as not putting small axolotls with adult axolotls, since the large ones could eat the
small ones.
Larger fish can also nibble at their gills and injure them by mistaking them for food.
For this reason, you can have several Axolotls as long as you have a space proportional to
the amount you want in your aquarium, for example,
if to have an Axolotl I recommend a minimum of 15 gallons of water, for 2 you will need
about a 29 gallon tank.
This will ensure that each one will have ample space to move around.
Fun Facts about Axolotls. Its name comes from the Nahuatl word axolotl, which means "water
monster".
This amphibian has been the inspiration for pre-Hispanic legends, also for a story by
the famous novelist Julio Cortazar and works by Roger Barta.
The creators of Pokemon were inspired by this animal to create an aquatic creature called
“Wooper”.
The axolotl is guided by smell to find food.
Their ability to renounce is so incredible that they can repair your spinal cord when
it is injured and make it function as if it was not damaged.
In the time of the Aztecs, they were considered the reincarnation of the god Xolotl.
There is a music group called “Axolotes Mexicanos” thanks to this fish that the
band liked very much.
I hope you enjoyed this video. If you did be sure to smash the like button. And I will
see you in the next video.