the CRAZIEST Axolotl tank I've seen | Fish Tank Review 227

[@FishForThought]

►► GET THE FISHKEEPING MERCH official-fishkeeper.creator-spring.com/

[@drewzero1]

The book at 3:34 is Exotic Aquarium Fishes by William T Innes, originally published in 1917 and expanded in numerous editions thereafter. I've read the 1936 edition and it's fascinating how the author was already trying to debunk aquarium myths that persist to this day. He was particularly vocal against the use of fishbowls and the inch-per-gallon rule. The neon tetra's latin name (innesei) comes from the name of the author, so you can tell he was a pretty big deal in fishkeeping!

[@Apachyollotl]

Fun fact: axolotl is a nahuatl word. The way its pronounce is AshOlotl with the accent on the 2nd to last syllable. The tl sounds like a clicking sounds but you can just pronounce it with a only a t, ashOlot. That is also acceptable and it's a more ancient way to say a nahuatl word. Now you know how to say it like the native speakers. Cheers.

[@Faesharlyn]

I love saying it correctly, the tl sound just sort of slides out the side of the cheek lol

[@MrsJoriBug]

Usually housing axolotls with fish is a ticking time bomb. It's a matter of when, not if the fish figure out that the lotls are very soft and edible and then usually will dog the gills, toes and fins of the lotl sometimes stripping lotls overnight. I did some rescue with a professional friend of mine and we saw some pretty brutal stuff since people usually think they regenerate quickly so it's okay to not address the safety issues even once they see the lotls being bitten or nipped firsthand. It's old school Prometheus up in a lot of fish+lotl tanks and I really don't recommend cohabitation. The other noteworthy downside is the fake décor but not just because the animals could get stuck. Remember how I said they were soft? I have seen PLENTY of axolotls impale themselves on plastic décor while lunging for food or zooming when startled. Again, they regenerate fast and a cut can literally heal nearly overnight but that doesn't really mean you should allow that to keep happening. What feels like soft plastic to us usually has sharp edges from the mold phase of mass plastic production and to a soft lotl, those edges are a serrated blade. It can get really bad if the lotl cuts their tummy open or their eyes. They are soft jello babies and just because they CAN heal doesn't mean they should have to since at the end of the day, if you break your leg it will heal eventually, right? So just keep doing it? Nah that hurts and sucks. Same goes for the lotls!

[@archinter2000]

ok

[@mmboiler10]

Sounds like what your actually saying is it depends on the fish. There are plenty of very chill fish as long as they are being fed. That being said rescue implies alot of not being fed

[@inhop2443]

Theres always one. And today, in this comment section - it's you!

[@ChristianBotha-qt6jc]

Ohh my gosh that was my reddit post of the book i feel so honored by it being featured oj your video thanks soo much

[@foamy909]

That sunken fish bowl for an air pocket is so smart! Now I wanna try it too 🤔

[@FishForThought]

gotta get that done some time in my life, also nice maplestory pfp xD

[@Soliloquy084]

For the sunken crab habitat, if you're worried about stale air you could just set up an air pump to provide it with fresh air; it would just overflow… or is that underflow, I'm not sure

[@Mossywall]

Cris: sees a waterbox logo “this is indeed a box of water”😂

[@conventfish]

I got excited when I saw the White Cloud Mountain minnows in the first clip. This is my first time owning them and I was worried about overfeeding them. I just finished thinking to myself "hey, their minnows are as big as mine, must be normal" when you proceeded to refer to one as "this UNIT". Whelp. Guess my babies are chonky after all.

[@FishForThought]

who knows, this one might actually be pregnant xD

[@conventfish]

@FishForThought if that's true for mine as well, then I can expect a lot of fry in the near future 😅

[@lalaithan]

@@FishForThought They don't get pregnant since they scatter their eggs.

[@Spikethealligator]

Claim your early ticket you can also get a late ticket :) Edit: NEW MEDIUM TICKET and the time stand is: Early = 3 weeks Late = 2 years Medium = inbetween

[@Mc_lesser_lord_kusanali]

Hay!pless geme

[@torosmm2]

medium ticket for me please xd

[@Lalalalalaa]

Claiminggg 😂

[@FishForThought]

I guess I'm getting the late ticket lol

[@N1KKI89]

Claim

[@comptroller64]

Thank you for making my Mondays more bearable. I studied game design & animation, thanks to Toronto Film School I now work nights as a welder! 😅

[@SerenityRamos]

Hello :D It’s not usually recommended to house fish and axolotls together- BUT it seems to be going well so far

[@georgematys]

Very true. They look peaceful but could be nipping the lotl gills

[@angiebear8727]

Love love love that crabitat idea. Totally gonna steal that with the addition of live plants. I’m so excited!!❤

[@FishForThought]

I hope more people try it, it's amazing

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

Are those freshwater crabs? Why does my brain not want to believe there is such a thing?

[@angiebear8727]

@@AllTheHappySquirrels yes they are and they do exist. Some of them are really cool looking

[@angiebear8727]

@@AllTheHappySquirrels they do need land and water.(well not all but the ones I think are really neat) Look up vampire crabs sometime. They are pretty cool imo

[@shayxie8318]

that crabitat was really cool! I wonder how heavy the bowl was to keep it from floating away. Maybe they glued it down too? QOTW- I was an art major, so solving those kind of wonderings are not my forte at all :) I studied 2D and 3D art, specifically painting and sculpting. Now I work at a television station in the creative department, and I film + edit commercials, do graphic design for web and on air, some animation... that kind of stuff. Most of the time I love my job but this time of year I consistently feel burnt out because there are a ton of events we have to cover. And I've been editing Christmas commercials for a few weeks already, so by the time it's the actual holiday....so over it.

[@shayxie8318]

and if you ever want help with t-shirt designs, I'd be so stoked to help!

[@shanrrosh]

The Petsmart commercial is rather neat in a way. Even if that is not what they are known for, it does set the stage for massive change down the line. If setups like that is what they believe, or at least the people that thought that was a good image for them, believes a tank setup should look like, instead of rainbow gravel, sunken skull, pirate ship with fake plants, then that is just amazing. So if someone sees this commercial, and then go "Yes, I want a tank like that" and go to petsmart to have them help with that, and if they cannot provide that help, there is gonna be pushback. :D

[@CupOfDepresso02]

going through college working at a petco (dont judge i was a hobbyist before i worked there) but realizing that working with animals is a very amazing experience and what i want to do with my life

[@NiteHunter13T]

The turf in the axolotl tank at 1:05 looks like it might be utricularia graminifolia, a type of bladderwort. It grows in super short carpets like that.

[@barryjames3747]

We just took in an Axolotl slightly bigger or at least the same as this specimen. the owner had him in a decent tank, but couldn't look after him, but she gave him up as soon as she realised this, kudos to her .

[@Pennysfishkeeping]

Another Monday made great!! Thank you for making such fantastic fish content!

[@FishForThought]

Thank you for your support!

[@declanmainz6768]

7:55 why does that look so lit tho. Just one tiny fish with like 300 gallons all to himself.

[@ianharbjorn]

Watching this on a rainy Tuesday at work.

[@madman19932]

My local PetSmart stepped up their game big time last year. They brought in a bunch of tissue cultures. And diversified their fish selection. They even brought in a bunch of driftwood. Still prefer my local mom and pops shop though.

[@onlyjustanimate]

The "turf" in the aquarium can probably be well-maintained dwarf hairgrass. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@elune43749]

its fake.

[@FishForThought]

i would've guessed dwarf sag

[@danm8004]

Taxiphyllum moss planted on a sheet of mesh

[@MattStrike]

To me it looks fake, the decorations seem to be “floating” above the grass.

[@carolr9259]

It looked nice but it seemed the axo was having a little trouble walking on it

[@danwoo101]

That tank at 10:00 had an underwater bear on the left side, that piece of wood... Loved that crabitat, definitely a priority some day... lol

[@salmonswan]

It's so late at night rn where I live but your videos always make my day, love axolotls ❤

[@FishForThought]

ty and good night!

[@Alaeriel]

Woo! Free engagement. I studied mortuary science in school, now I manage several funeral homes (plus regular funeral director/embalmer duties). Boxes of water are how I stay sane.

[@AvrageWhiteGuy]

I just came home from school, finished my chores and now I can finally relax and watch some fish tank reveiw, even though I know 0 about fish

[@FishForThought]

haha maybe time to start a lil tank of your own!

[@AvrageWhiteGuy]

I've been planning on it for a really long time! Hopefully I'll be getting one soon@@FishForThought

[@dabskiiboii74]

It's always nice getting ready for work with some fresh f👏t👏r episodes Monday mornings👌

[@FishForThought]

[@empressireneabitfishcrazy]

I am so excited, I just redid my 37 and it’s looking. ✨Delicious✨ . Thank you for the videos on Mondays. Best Mondays ever!

[@FishForThought]

delicious haha xD fun way to describe it!

[@NikitaRae]

people's first tanks are probably so good thanks to you dude. be proud.

[@FishForThought]

I appreciate that!

[@heleninglis9961]

Scolopendra are beasts!!! They have serious power, the 1s that live in caves hang upside down from the ceiling & grab passing bats to feed on! Id love to own 1 but they seriously freak me out lol, might just stick to my Tarantulas, at least for now 😂

[@TheScolopendraMetuendaMan]

If you do your research they are quite easy to own. The ones that feed on bats are scolopendra Gigantea and galapagoensis but you can get some still massive but smaller cheap ones like Scolopendra Dehaani since they are very readily available. I suggest it but I am a crazy person who owns 4 :D

[@FishForThought]

oh goodness that's craaaazy they swapping bats out the air???

[@ProfJCsCritters]

I had that book. If I'm not mistaken, they're all photos that are touched up with color after the fact. Like technicolor movies, back in the day. :)

[@Wdiftd]

I honestly haven’t watched your videos in a while but I finally decided to watch again. Definitely makes me miss having fish

[@FishForThought]

welcome back!

[@jaimepat429]

QOTW: I just got back my results of what class I can take today and I couldn’t take pure biology cause there was not enough students and I don’t know what to do now… but u made my day so so so much better. Thanks Chris!!!

[@Dangerfield898]

That centipede inside the fish tank reminded me of when I found a large scorpion inside One of my fish tanks

[@FishForThought]

dang how does that even happen

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

Was the scorpion trying to eat your fish? 😱

[@Boggy_thesassyB.]

My middle school science teacher has an awesome shrimp and snail tank and honestly I didn’t expect it from this teacher

[@laurabustos6560]

I want that book, but as wallpaper, for my whole house!! Also: the way Chirs pronounces limpet is waaay cute! lim-PET🤣✌️

[@FishForThought]

wait is that not how ppl say limpet oh no xD

[@drewzero1]

​@@FishForThoughtI've usually heard LIM-pit. There's a PDF of an earlier version of the book available online for members of the Aquarium Coop forum, I joined to get the download and stayed for the community 😊

[@ConrysWorldOfFishing]

Chris: You better not be skipping math.😳 bro looked thru my screen...

[@Chompchompyerded]

Dang Wang! That's one big amphibian! I don't know, maybe we'll find out it was a two gallon aquarium and that those fish-lizards are actually rather tiny. I studied music, and more specifically music history and historical performance. I am now retired, but when I did work, I was a member of three of the world's best historically informed performance orchestras in the world in addition to being a professor of music at Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. All three of the orchestras I played in have many recordings here on KZbin as well as on most music streaming services. What am I doing here? I told you, I'm retired. A professor emerita. I love fishies and all kinds of other animals. In addition, ancient college professors aren't dead. I like watching well done videos, which aren't dull and include some humour. If I learn something, that's even better. From you, I learned that PetCo throws away live fish. Since then, I've been dumpster diving at our local PetCo trying to find free fish because I'm cheep, and because I'm on a fixed income, but to date, I've not come up with even a dead fish. What's wrong with these people anyway?! They are forcing me to buy all my fish (but not from them). What the actual hell? I'd better quite while I'm behind. I've almost written a doctoral dissertation here, and no one's going to read it including you and therefore, just like with most real dissertations, this is a waste of time. Have a good one! "A good what," you ask? I don't know, You choose.

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

I read it. Thanks for trying to rescue the fishies!

[@justsomerandomperson761]

Man I get dejá vú from seeing many of these Reddit posts because I already spend so much time lurking around the aquarium subreddits and I’ve already previously seen a good 40% of them in your videos! 😅😅 I love being a fish nerd 😂

[@gracenavin2588]

I love the crabitat! I went to school for human services. I now have an office job working for the government. Yay for my own cubicle!

[@fluteteachermarcie6283]

I got my bachelors of music in flute performance. Now I’m a stay at home mom, homeschool my son, and I still teach private flute lessons. (After college I did spend a 6 year stint as a zookeeper too!)

[@FishForThought]

so cool! you must be rly good at flute!

[@brynecol]

I eventually went in for environmental engineering, which mostly focused on the study of waterways but also applies to like, soil and air quality. Now I work night audit at a hotel

[@tr0_0rt]

Im currently studying for an exam rn. I hope FTR gives me instant IQ boost.

[@TheScolopendraMetuendaMan]

Regarding the centipede! As you said there are aquatic centipedes like Scolopendra cataracta and scolopendra paradoxa that exist but this one is neither. There are amazing slender pedes like the Raiu giants and scolopendra metuenda that are too good at swimming for my mental health. But the pede more looks like scolopendra cingulata if I had to guess which is really weird. Cool photo and FTR always makes mondays better.

[@509wildflower]

“Wood is good. Especially in the morning” 😂 (I too look for free wood every time I go out into the outside near a body of water lol)

[@Glidefang]

I Watch ftr every Monday before school, keep up the great work!

[@FishForThought]

tysm!

[@readingroomcafeproject]

literally prepping a maths lesson as I watch this! teaching a spot of trig before tea.

[@FishForThought]

noice

[@MrsKatieQ]

QOTW answer: Studied nursing and now I'm a theatre nurse :D Love the videos!

[@Aquariumking1]

as someone who owns 4 axolotls this tank is ok but axolotls are known to destroy plants

[@cryptocorner2253]

"Fewer" scratches, Chirs. Pushing that algorithm.

[@FishForThought]

ah thx

[@candiedragon]

9:36 the vertical wood on the left looks like a red panda standing on its back legs

[@swordwhale1]

QOTW... ahhhhhh kids these days (there may be hope yet, you're awesome)... Neurospicey nerd who read All The Books and is a lifelong learner but hated school because they tried to cram me into their 2.5 gallon aquarium (metaphorically speaking). Read all the books, doodled on everything, went to art school, did a rando assortment of weird crappy jobs, retired and am arting and writing books... Just do the thing, do the thing you love.

[@FishForThought]

well said!

[@Reillyreal6]

axolotls are known to be clumsy and get hurt easily so im not sure abt the tank, and i dont know for sure if there actually supposed to be in the same tank (i could be wrong please dont end me)

[@FishForThought]

hm hm

[@georgematys]

You are correct Reilly! Never recommended to house fish with an axolotls!

[@lisathompson159]

QOTW: Viola performance major and Iam so lucky Iam able to teach private violin and viola lessons for a living! I just love your videos and humor Chris! You seem like such a nice guy! Thank you for the awesome Monday morning videos, perfect with my morning cup of coffee! ☕️

[@FishForThought]

that's so awesome! I wanted to learn violin some time ago but it just seems so hard haha

[@lisathompson159]

You just need the right teacher!! Move to Washington state I’d be so happy to teach you!! ❤

[@griffinballfish]

its 2 am on a tuesday school night and im loving watching this

[@FishForThought]

ayyy

[@mofish3601]

I studied math while I was undeclared. Now years and years later I deal in the world of accurate information so close to what I studied!

[@ellybanelly3656]

Chris: "Repeat after me:" Me: "Wood is good. ...oh no. What have I done?"

[@KCannaQueen]

Wait was that a gourami or was it a cichlid spitting water out of the tank? I was thinking gourami because I've only know gouramis to do that 😂

[@endur5nce]

that old aquarium tank book is amazing

[@FishForThought]

would love to have a copy

[@drewzero1]

​@@FishForThoughtThere are a bunch of copies on eBay right now for not too much, including several from the 50s and 60s with the rasboras on the cover. It was in print for a looong time!

[@snikerdoodlefox3979]

That axy tank is good my only concern is the hard plastic fake plant bits like on the little house ornament. Choking risk if they come unstuck. And maybe the light but that may have just been on for video and not all the time

[@Aquafinity]

Nice one Chris! The tank at 6:05 looks like a design AI would generate lol.

[@Mossywall]

Hey cris you genuinely make my Mondays better, thanks

[@Official_Zim]

Morning yalllll make sure to drink, water

[@sdad742]

The "mon dieu pourquoi bro" got me sooooo funny, as a french guy this was so random and funny🤣

[@taravachon7366]

I studied culinary and business management but I've got a good position as a customer service rep. Planning on working my way up

[@Msajjadhussain-mg6cy]

The first Tank with the black Axolotl moving looks Something Out of a Studio Ghibli Movie

[@FishForThought]

true

[@kory5179]

10:40 you could put an air stone or something to constantly pump fresh air in it

[@multipletanksyndrome]

One time I was filling my aquarium, and didn't realize it had over flowed till my downstairs neighbor knocked on my door, complaining about a leak. I didn't get my security deposit back.

[@jorgesalgado4941]

Waiting till Calc 2 class ended and started watching this. I’m a Mechanico engineer student and eating is pretty fun

[@TheRealTMar]

I have a degree in Earth sciences, but now I'm a civil servant processing payroll stuff. It's okay. It's a lovely place to work and they're considerate with neurodivergents. The kind of work I did as a geotechnical consultant, was too stressful anyway since these are all commercial companies. Now at least I've got energy left to tend to my aquarium. At some point you just have to let certain ambitions go and have fun with your life.

[@theresagreen7165]

Great as always... QOTW: studied Criminal Justice, now a crime fiction editor

[@skyjue6297]

As a french canadian , the "mon dieu pourquoi bro" got me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that was perfect

[@PomeloYT]

I definitely have some chonky ladies that look like those white clouds as well. I do feed pretty regularly though since I like to have them spawn. QotW: I studied English Literature in university, and now I'm a freelance localization editor that works on light novels.

[@blakely207]

I studied Zoology wanting to be a marine biologist in grad school...now i work in an environmental protection office and think up my dream tank set up to distract myself from the office job 😅

[@FishForThought]

Sounds similar to my own path xD

[@drewzero1]

I had a tank on my office desk for a while and it was awesome... Whenever I needed to think, I could just zone out and stare at the fish swimming around. It was very popular with my coworkers as well. When I went part time, I knew I couldn't be in the office enough to keep it up, so I brought the fish home and tore down the tank. My desk doesn't feel the same without it. 😢

[@jacksonhills186]

currently working on a fish tank and it takes a lot of energy to get the water in for new fish keepers use a water siphon to put water in a fishtank and dont be like me and flood my house and keep 1 betta per 2litres and make sure nothing in the tank is sharp

[@familyacc2386]

DUDE I WAS ACTUALLY SKIPPING MATH WHILE WATCHING THIS THAT SCARED ME-

[@susanbecker5610]

When something made well within your lifetime is referred to as, "vintage". I'm like, "it ain't that old dude." Lol

[@FishForThought]

ahahah xD

[@drewzero1]

The book was originally published in 1917, so this is actually a relatively recent edition! 😂

[@infinityzer054]

Tank moment

[@FishForThought]

fr

[@SamscrewuGaming]

Chris out here telling me to go to math class. Man I've been in college for 6 years, and still taking Finance 101 next semester

[@chloejackson1628]

Love the crabitat idea! WANT. QOTW: Degree and masters in forensic psychology but then decided to shift careers and did another masters in Speech & Language Therapy. Now a Speech & Language Therapist specialising in Autism. Its a great job :)

[@eph2vv89only1way]

QOTW: I began college at age 54 and graduated at 59. I did a 3 year accounting diploma and a 3 year international business diploma in a total of 5 years. Yes, that's 6 years worth of college in only 5 years. Today (3 1/2 years after graduation) I am working as a bookkeeper

[@missyflutter5562]

Axotol tank gives me fairly new tank vibes

[@declanmainz6768]

8 inch centipede?! I'm never going in any freshwater body of water again.

[@leanderfoldy9293]

I only graduated the european equivalent of high school. no university degree. At 19 years of age I graduated a sales course. Now I’m an agent/broker for precious metals.

[@frankcastle9991]

The white cloud looks like it’s eating the axolotl lol

[@taninsama]

QOTW: microbio first then I went back for nursing. Now I am a psych NP. I have a huge tank in my office for its therapeutic effects (on myself lol)

[@randihardy6642]

if u missed light refraction in science class, see also Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon album cover.

[@nonstopwinner9119]

Keep up da good work.👍

[@smashingamin]

Question Chris, it's more personalized. I have a ten-gallon with 6 neon tetras and a honey gourami. It has 2 Amazon swords, 2 water wisterias, 2 anubias', and a scarlet temple. Any advice? (Btw, they are in treatment right now, I'm treating them for ich/ick)

[@peachoolongtea]

You should probably take your plants out while you treat your fish. the plants just need to be in water and have access to light lol. and what works for me and my tetras is starve them for like 3 days and using methylene blue or super ick with some water changes throughout the week. Treat as needed it'll probably go away in a month but be aware that overbred fish from petco or petsmart have weak bodies and die a lot easier so keep that in mind and good luck

[@helpmeno3761]

Axolotls are adorable but I can't get them. I won't be able to take proper care of them due to the tank size :( My mom says she's too scared that the tank will leak and flood our floors. The max we can have is a 5 gallon so I just settled with a betta fish

[@FishForThought]

ya same and I heard they need colder water, but what if my room gets too hot from centralized heating xD

[@darcylyon1870]

I will never have another moss ball as long as I live. They are just hair algae rolled up

[@FishForThought]

dang you're not wrong tho

[@allfinns2465]

I studied marine biology and am now working in a specialty fish store as the freshwater manager 💪

[@Spacey7]

That line Guppy in the big tank had clamped fins so not going to last long if not treated! You missed that!

[@FishForThought]

i totally missed it yes

[@Spacey7]

@@FishForThought ya did lol

[@suzidickinson7783]

Hey Chirs, we want Milly and Rapashy merch!

[@zabijavak2329]

6:42 i can’t really tell what species of centipede that is but it likely is photoshopped because they go unconscious in water pretty quickly if they aren’t clinging to the side of the tank. there is one semiaquatic species, scolopendra cataracta, and considering how rare they are its unlikely that the one in the pic is cataracta

[@zabijavak2329]

also they dont just walk in the water they kinda swim like water snakes

[@DragonLady465]

Have studied several things but actually finished Massage therapy and cosmetology, am currently working on a machine shop lol

[@shaylagipson7533]

Yes, to Wang reviews!!! 😂

[@FishForThought]

ahahaha I actually have a random youtube channel called wang's world xD

[@Graysharkieboi]

QOTW: Since I'm still in school my favorite subject is science, my school has two aquapondic systems that has some of my Convict Cichlids that I get to visit

[@FishForThought]

awesome

[@Self_Cancelled]

I need a crabitat in my life, now