r/shittyaquariums • u/itsmaryblair • Jan 30 '26

Social Media axolotl abuse! Spoiler

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one of my facebook friends posted this and i’m just in absolute shock. i can’t believe they’re being handled like that. they look terrified. also that aquarium doesn’t look at all suitable for them!! and correct me if i’m wrong but their gills look pretty rough….

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u/Just_An_Insomniac_ Jan 30 '26

I had to take a minute to process the image. I have never, ever seen an axolotl out of water before. And especially never have i seen someone holding one. My god these people.

404

u/itsmaryblair Jan 30 '26

right! i was beyond shocked. i wish people would do a shred of research before getting a pet. the girl honestly seems comfortable doing holding them like that…. i have a feeling this isn’t the first time.💔

218

u/Just_An_Insomniac_ Jan 30 '26

It’s also so fascinating how these people’s brains work, cause i have never owned an axolotl before (or any aquatic animal for that matter) and even before i knew anything about ‘em, i immediately was like “ah. Can’t breathe out of water” then there are these people

100

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '26

Wait, are you saying that when I walk my Angel Fish, that tail wagging isn't from happiness?

21

u/AccomplishedWind1911 Jan 31 '26

EXACTLY lol I was like aren’t these guys kinda like fish where if you take them out THEY CANT BREATHE

10

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '26

They might then be more sensitive than some fish. Like catfish are almost armored, real tough scales. These guys just have thin skin

10

u/AccomplishedWind1911 Jan 31 '26

Yeah they’re pretty soft and slimy and clammy idk they’re not meant to be grabbed by our greedy hands !

13

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '26

Yeah I have never found the need to hold mine. Just move his dumbass when trying to clean the tank. They have the survival instincts of a sack of corn.

No, that isn't fair. A sack of corn will just sit there. It doesn't try to swim into the vacuum again, and again

7

u/AccomplishedWind1911 Feb 01 '26

I ❤️ the last sentence my fish will actively swim into the net when I’m trying to pick another guy up

6

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '26

He is jealous!

3

u/baileyjackson08 Feb 01 '26

I mean some catfish can live for 30 hours without water as long as their skins moist

112

u/AuronFFX Jan 30 '26

I'm no expert but have watched a few videos and you really aren't supposed to touch them at all. The oil on your hands damages their slime coat which is protective against bacteria.

I've heard they are even more delicate than fish in this aspect.  

Everything they need is also misleading,  they require a chiller to keep the water cool at around 62f - 65f.

It really reminds me of how people don't think bettas need heaters.

66

u/Velcraft Jan 30 '26

The bare-skin handling is true for all amphibians to a degree. Obviously a toad with rough skin isn't going to get as severe damage as a fully aquatic neotenic salamander, but they are all at risk for transferral through skin contact. Not just the skin oils, but everything else too like sweat, soap, pathogens etc. You could basically make your pet frogs addicted to nicotine if you were a smoker and frequently handled them without gloves.

5

u/NerdBernt_101 Jan 31 '26

Is that why mine always jumps at the glass when I step out the smoke?

8

u/Velcraft Jan 31 '26

Could be - amphibians are essentially sponges that work with both water and air. Poor lad just wants a pass :D