Fish are typically the first animals that come to mind when we think of an aquarium. However, did you know that your tank can also be home to a wide range of other interesting residents? Aquariums can harbor species that are quite distinct from the common fish, adding their own unique charm and mystery to your underwater environment. We’ll focus on two of these inhabitants in this article: axolotls and newts.
Amphibians like newts can give your aquarium a burst of color. These animals have an interesting life cycle that includes both aquatic and terrestrial stages, and they are available in a variety of colors and patterns. They are an alluring option for anyone wishing to add some variety to their tank because of their vivid colors and captivating behavior.
In contrast, axolotls are somewhat of a wonder in the aquatic realm. Axolotls, renowned for their extraordinary capacity for regeneration and their ever-young appearance, are not only visually striking but also offer insight into the secrets of regeneration. For aquarium enthusiasts looking for something a little different, they’re a great choice because of their distinctive features and comparatively low maintenance requirements.
Thus, if you’re prepared to add more species to your aquarium than just fish, newts and axolotls provide an intriguing substitute. These animals can add a whole new dimension to your aquatic setup, whether it’s because of their interesting behaviors or unique appearance.
Inhabitants | Description |
Newts | These amphibians are great for adding variety to your aquarium. They have vibrant colors and interesting behaviors but need special care regarding temperature and habitat conditions. |
Axolotls | Known for their adorable, wide smiles and feathery gills, axolotls are fascinating creatures that stay in their aquatic larval stage throughout their lives. They require specific water conditions and a well-planned tank setup. |
- Snails
- Axolotl (water dragon)
- Freshwater shrimp
- Features of keeping crayfish at home
- Freshwater crabs
- Octopus at home
- Newts
- Unusual aquarium fish
- What kind of fish to get and how to combine them in small volumes
- The most common inhabitants of aquariums
- Video on the topic
- I bought MINECRAFT AXOLOTLS in REAL LIFE *mommies*
- Axolotl – keeping at home. Care tips
- Three-legged axolotl against gravity. Three-legged axolotl against gravity.
- Axolotl – a miracle Nature
- How to turn an axolotl into a lizard 🦎
- Axolotl. Axolotl hand burns #axolotl #axolotlburn #animals #axolotl
- Newt larva is not an axolotl
Snails
The vibrant snail known as sandy melania inhabits the sandy bottom of aquariums or reservoirs. The content’s temperature, which is most comfortable at 26 to 28 °C, affects how intensely it reproduces. The sink has the appearance of a 7 cm long, spirally twisted cone. Pearl gray in color, occasionally hinting toward pink. Dark points and strokes make up the drawing.
Melania’s residence in the aquarium aids in water purification because it is fed on partially decomposed organic materials. Furthermore, it aids in soaking sandy soil with oxygen by loosening it.
Also see: What ought to be in the axolotl? Finding out how to take care of and feed a strange animal
The snail’s appearance almost makes it blend in with the ground, making it hard to spot.
The Ampaircase is a large, vivid snail. Maintaining it is not tough, but there are a few quirks:
- with good care, the snail reaches a large size (up to 10 cm) and reproduces quickly, so for each ampullaria, it is necessary to provide at least 10 liters of aquarium volume;
- these mollusks are scavengers, many species of fish, crayfish and shrimp are very aggressive towards them and cannot be kept together. The most common color of ampullaria is yellow, but there are other species: white, brown, black, blue
One of the most humble snails is the pussy physa, also known as the pimply. Since it inhabits European reservoirs, it may inadvertently enter an aquarium containing live food or a plant. Pussy physa enhances the quality of the water by feeding on organic matter. However, it has a major disadvantage in that it multiplies quickly and can overrun the aquarium if you don’t take action to get rid of extra individuals.
The phiza’s color can be very alluring, but it is unique among similar shells in that its curl is directed from left to right rather than right to left.
Axolotl (water dragon)
The most fascinating creatures for an aquarium are these ones. Axolotls can grow up to 15 cm in length, and occasionally 30 cm. Because of their distinctive tail fin and external gills, they resemble salamander larvae in appearance. The water dragon has a broad, flattened head with small teeth and no eyelids on its eyes. The limbs have inadequate development.
There are four colors available for water dragons: two synthetic and two natural. Black and brown with spots are the natural colors. Golden and light pink are examples of bred ones.
The axolotl consumes worms, tiny fish, and insects when it is in the wild. Its diet in captivity may include bloodworms, live or defrosted earthworms, and trout pellets. Beef liver and tiny shrimp are favorites of the water dragon.
Axolotls use their sense of smell to locate food. Once they’ve found it, they pull it in very strongly. It is not advisable to keep other animals in the same aquarium as a water dragon because small neighbors may be eaten and large fish may injure the dragon (because they frequently gnaw on the axolotl’s appendages and gill stems while it sleeps, which can cause infection).
The temperature range in which the water dragon thrives is +14… +20 °C. To prevent an increase in the pet’s appetite, the indicator should be lowered to +10 ° C if the animal is ill. It is advised to use a chlorine water purifier, a filter, and a specialized cooling unit to establish a microclimate in the aquarium.
One person should be housed in a 50-liter tank with 150 mm of water. It is acceptable to use an aerator. Every week, 20% of the water needs to be replaced. Small gravel should not be used to line the bottom because axolotls can swallow the stones.
Little caverns and floating plants that the pet will use as cover should be present in the aquarium. Since the water dragon is a nocturnal creature, excessively bright light is not needed.
Freshwater shrimp
Every shrimp has the same structure. They vary in color and size, ranging from 0.5 to 35 cm. Since they eat everything, these freshwater shrimp are excellent at fighting thread algae and cleaning the aquarium. The name "thread-like algae" refers to algae that grow quickly and have the ability to completely fill an aquarium.
Amano: shrimp that consume algae. Their size ranges from 3 to 6 cm. The body has tiny dots or strokes and is translucent gray-blue. Breeding them can be challenging, but maintaining them in an aquarium is simple. Shrimp larvae hatch in the sea, but adult shrimp reside in freshwater environments.
With the exception of mahrobrahiums, amano are compatible with all shrimp, though there are conflicts with other species.
Harlequins are tiny shrimp (6–13 mm) with peculiar colors that resemble clown outfits. Their demanding environment sets them apart:
- hardness: 7 – 8 pH;
- temperature: 27 – 28°C (at 26°C they can already die);
- complete absence of nitrates and sulfates in the water.
The presence of other species is intolerable to these mollusks.
Only extremely clean water is suitable for harlequin shrimp to spawn in; otherwise, the female will abandon all of her eggs.
The shrimp variety known as White Pearl was developed especially for aquariums, and it requires little upkeep. The shrimp’s appearance completely lives up to its name; it has a pearlescent white or translucent body that complements green algae well. Extremely calm and doesn’t threaten other residents, but fish that hunt for food might think it’s lunch.
White pearl females can give birth to children every 1.5 months in ideal circumstances.
Interesting animals like newts and axolotls can live in aquariums in addition to fish. These distinct inhabitants, each with their own distinct needs and behaviors, add a different kind of charm to your aquatic setup. In this post, we’ll examine the qualities that make newts and axolotls excellent additions to your tank, as well as their environmental interactions and care needs. These fascinating creatures might be exactly what you need if you want to add more species to your aquarium than just fish.
Features of keeping crayfish at home
One arthropod can fit in a 30–40 l container. The minimum volume needed if you intend to seat multiple people is 80 liters. Set up hiding places in the house, like a cave or a pot. Since crayfish consume one another, particularly during the molting season, there ought to be an abundance of hiding spots for the creatures.
Because crayfish can easily escape through hoses and because they do not survive long without water, it is preferable to use an internal filter to purify the water. Furthermore, the aquarium needs to be securely covered.
We feed crayfish a special diet. They are treated to shrimp and fish fillet pieces once a week.
Food high in protein should not be fed frequently since it makes people more aggressive.
Fish should not be kept with crayfish because the latter will soon be consumed.
Freshwater crabs
Although most crabs are found in the ocean, some species have adapted to live in freshwater environments.
Spider crabs, also known as dwarf crabs, are no larger than 1.5 cm, excluding the claws. Lives a nocturnal life, does not eat algae, and gets along well in an aquarium with fish.
Dwarf crabs range in color from light gray to gray-green, depending on the circumstances surrounding their confinement.
The Dutch crab is a tiny (3–4 cm) crustacean that gets along well with fish and other inhabitants as long as they don’t invade its territory. Although maintaining it is not too difficult, it stands out for frequently causing damage to aquarium plants’ root systems.
The Dutch crab is always looking for food; it enjoys eating a variety of fish-related foods and even the byproducts of their vital activity.
Rainbow: a large, vividly colored tricolor crab, up to 20 cm in length. Has a bad relationship with the neighbors. It does not like to stay in the water for extended periods of time, so its aquarium must contain dry sections.
The rainbow crab has incredibly vibrant coloring. Its legs are orange to bright red, its claws are gray or blue, its abdomen is white and blue, and its shell is blue.
Octopus at home
An intelligent, exotic animal is the octopus. It can reach a diameter of 20–25 cm when kept in captivity. The mollusk needs a minimum of 350 liters of space in their home, along with filters that make the water’s chemical composition ideal in addition to purifying it.
It’s also crucial to aerate continuously. Octopuses have high standards for water purity. A layer of seven to nine centimeters is covered with coarse sand and coral chips.
The octopus needs to have shelters set up in the aquarium. Either a plastic grate or a lid must be placed over the container. Provide light to moderate lighting and keep the sun out of your face.
Octopuses can recall who owned them. To avoid frightening the pet and stop ink from spurting out, you must approach him gently and quietly.
You’ll need to replace the water if not. In unfavorable circumstances, the animal becomes ill. The mollusk enters its shelter, stops eating, and its body starts to get lighter.
Newts
These amphibians come in only a few species that are kept in homes.
Regular newt. It is only about 11 cm in size. It can live alongside other residents, but it must be kept within the same temperature range, as newts prefer temperatures between 18 and 22 °C, especially in the winter.
Given their predatory nature, newts enjoy sampling small live fish, crickets, earthworms, and frozen bloodworms.
The spiny newt can grow to a length of 23 cm, making it larger than the common newt. The keeping conditions are pretty much the same as they are for the common newt. However, the poison in this amphibian makes it dangerous, and you should never handle it with your bare hands.
When in danger, the pointed ends of the ribs on the sides of the spiny newt release a highly combustible material that can trigger a severe allergic reaction.
Unusual aquarium fish
- The black knife is one of the most unusual fish species. In captivity it grows up to 50 cm, so it needs a spacious aquarium. It has practically no fins, does not use its eyesight. It creates a small electric field around itself, thanks to which it finds food. It feeds on bloodworms, mussels.
- The dragon wrasse is an exotic fish with an aggressive character. It is active only during the daytime, at night it burrows into the sand or freezes in place. A young individual requires 250 liters of volume, an adult – from 500 liters. It feeds on the meat of sea fish, squid, mussels. It needs to be fed 3 times a day.
- The blue dolphin is a calm inhabitant of the aquarium, which grows up to 25 cm in length. This fish requires a container with a volume of 400 liters. Give meat food in small portions need up to 5 times a day.
- The box fish is shaped like a cube. Grows up to 45 cm. In nature, it feeds on algae and small crustaceans, so in captivity the diet can be combined.
What kind of fish to get and how to combine them in small volumes
Aquarium 4-5 liters: You can stick to a lovely design and avoid adding live fish altogether.
Ten-liter aquarium:
- 1 cockerel;
- 3-4 cardinals
- 4-5 guppies or Endler"s guppies (these are natural individuals, they are even smaller than the ones we are used to, bred by breeders);
- 4-5 neons;
- 4-5 Norman blue-eyed;
- up to 10 microrasbora.
It is best to avoid mixing different species in such a tank as the schools will get too small and the fish will not be happy.
Twenty-liter aquarium:
- 1 male cockerel with 2-3 females;
- 12-15 guppies;
- up to 20 danios or neons;
- 5-7 cardinals;
- 10-12 happy neons;
- up to 20 micro rasbora.
- 5 guppies and 5 danios;
- 10 guppies and 2 speckled catfish;
- 7-8 neons and 2 speckled catfish.
An aquarium with 30 liters:
- 4-5 barbs;
- 2-3 apistograms;
- 12-15 cardinals;
- 20-25 neons or danios;
- 2-3 macropods;
- 2-3 irriatherina werneri;
- 10 rasbor.
It’s thought that 30 to 40 liters is the best capacity for a novice. It is practical to monitor fish behavior, keep tabs on illnesses, and plan meals.
The most common inhabitants of aquariums
- African cornflower haplochromis (Haplochromis jacksoni)
- Koi carp (Koi)
- Discus (Discus)
- Lionhead cichlid (Stearocranus)
- Motorro ray Leopoldi (Potamotrygon Leopoldi)
- Arowana (Scleropages fotmosus)
- Goldfish (Gold Fish)
- Orinoco catfish (Phractocephalus Hemioliopterus)
- Knife fish (Apteronotus leptorhynchus)
- Panaque (Panaque nigrolineatus)
- Hybrid Parrots (Parrot Fish)
- Queen Nyasa (Aulonocara nyassae)
- Cyphotilapia Frontosa (Cyphotilapia Frontosa)
- Cichlozoma severum "Red Pearl" (Red Severum)
- Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)
- Clown Botia (Botia macracantha)
- Common angelfish (Pterophyllum Scalare)
- Labeo bicolor
- Apistogramma remirezi (Papiliochromis ramirezi)
- Pearl gourami (Trichogaster leeri)
- Labidochromis ‘yellow’
- Neon tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
- Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
- Nothobranchius rachovi
- Hemichromis bimaculatus
- Sumatra barbus (barbus tetrazona)
Most of the time, when we think of aquariums, we think of fish first. However, a vast array of fascinating animals can add just as much life and intrigue to your tank. These unusual inhabitants, which range in size from newts to axolotls, can give your aquatic setup a completely new look.
A great option if you’re searching for something a little different are newts. These amphibians give your tank a pop of color and a touch of the wild. Not only are they visually appealing, but it’s also fun to watch them explore and engage with their surroundings.
And then there are axolotls, with their odd appearances and endearing ways of being. These little creatures, which have the remarkable ability to regenerate limbs, are a marvel of nature. It can be immensely calming and fascinating to watch their slow, graceful movements and perpetual "smiling" faces.
By adding newts or axolotls to your aquarium, you can enhance its dynamism and engagement while simultaneously supporting the preservation and appreciation of these unusual animals. Therefore, the next time you’re setting up a tank, think about adding some of these amazing creatures to your aquatic ecosystem instead of just your typical fish.