Axolotls!

[revjim_2]

Has anyone noticed that Critter Jungle is carrying Axolotls?  For that matter, has anyone noticed what's happened to the fish department in general?  They are developing a niche for freshwater, planted nano tanks, with a great assortment of freshwater fish, plants and invertebrates to stock them.  Jason - who runs the department really knows his stuff and has set up a variety of display tanks. 

But most recently, they brought in a shipment of Axolotls from Axolotl Canada.  They're great for the medium sized specialty tank, and don't need a whole lot of technical requirements.  Now the only question is, where do I set them up?

[76brian]

I haven't seen too many of them... that sounds like a good place to go if you want to axolotl questions

(sorry)

[revjim_2]

No need to apologize.  I love a good play on words!

[Brine]

Jason is doing a fine job.

[Laura]

I agree, he's doing a good job bringing in a variety of interesting fish/critters with reasonable space requirements - giant & specialty bettas, inverts, nano tanks etc. And he's nice!

[Fishnut]

Lol...those things are both creepy and fascinating all at the same time.  I thought they got big though.  They have an appetite comparable to a horse!!

Yes, Jason is great.  I've been finding a few interesting species in there.  Dangerous place for me to go when I'm trying to downsize my tank collection

[exv152]

I believe Axolotl are considered protected and endangered amphibians in Ontario. The owner of lucky aquarium in markham ontario was recently arrested and charged for exporting snakeheads, arowana and axolotls. See attached article.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1219013--markham-fish-store-owner-faces-charges-in-u-s-for-smuggling-illegal-species-of-fish

[Laura]

There's mexican axolotls and canadian mudpuppies. Similar looking as far as I know. I think of mudpuppies requiring a much colder temperature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl
"Axolotls should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage of the closely related Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma mavortium), which are widespread in much of North America and also occasionally become neotenic, nor with mudpuppies (Necturus spp.), fully aquatic salamanders which are not closely related to the axolotl but bear a superficial resemblance.[1]"

[macd0282]

Axolotls are wonderful, fascinating creatures! I myself have 2 which I had to bring in from BC last year. Very happy to hear they are making their way here:) They are definitely not illegal to own in ON, they are illegal to import but not own or breed. They are originally from two lakes near Mexico City.

Glad to hear there are people interested in Axies!:)

[blueknight0303]

it is legap

Axolotls are wonderful, fascinating creatures! I myself have 2 which I had to bring in from BC last year. Very happy to hear they are making their way here:) They are definitely not illegal to own in ON, they are illegal to import but not own or breed. They are originally from two lakes near Mexico City.

Glad to hear there are people interested in Axies!:)

they are NOT ILLEGAL to import... its just its expensive and you have to give proper cites permit, wildlife paperwork and a whole lot of stuff for this to be imported... if you dont have proper papers... thats when it becomes illegal.

[exv152]

The info is actually available on environment Canada's website, where you'll find the mexican axolotlm and ambystoma dumerilii can be imported to Canada only if:

Specimens to be imported into Canada must be accompanied by: a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.

http://ec.gc.ca/cites/listedecontrole/index.cfm?lang=e&fuseaction=species.swDetailedInfo&code=21

http://ec.gc.ca/cites/listedecontrole/index.cfm?lang=e&fuseaction=species.swDetailedInfo&code=20

Info on other species can be seen on the CFIA website for some reason http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/imports/aquatic-animals/eng/1331906471842/1331908089467