oddballs
Oddballs include Axolotls, otherwise known as Mexican Walking Fish, native to Mexico, Mudskippers that are very unusual looking gobies, adapted to living among tidal mangrove swamps of northern Australia, the Freshwater Sole found across northern Australia, also in southern New Guinea and the Spiney Eel native to south-east Asia.
Ideal for Children, we include Billabong Bugs™, Sea Monkeys™ and Itsy Bitsy Sea Dragons™ which are available in kits that have everything you need for your pets to grow.
Oddballs make great aquarium subjects that appeal to many people looking for something special and a little bit different.
Things you might need
- Fish Tank/Bowl
- Food – flakes, pellets and live or frozen food
- Pet City Water Conditioner
- Pet City Purer Water
- PH Test Kit
- Neutraliser Blocks
- Filter
- Gravel Cleaner
- Rocks/Plants
- Decorations/Ornaments/Backgrounds
- Aqua Salt
- Fish Net
About oddballs
The Axolotl or “Mexican Walking Fish” – very popular pets for an unheated aquarium or large bowl. They mainly feed by smell as they have poorly developed eyesight, earthworms being one of their favourite foods. If kept with fish, ensure the fish do not bite the axolotl’s gills, and alternately, not be small enough for the axolotl to eat them. The Axolotl is a neotenic amphibian: unlike related species they do not metamorphose into a salamander, instead remaining/breeding in the “juvenile” stage. They can grow to about 20-25cm and are also able to regenerate damaged limbs and gills.
Axolotl’s are available in black, white/light or golden colours.
Axolotl’s are available in black, white/light or golden colours.
Mudskippers – these are very unusual looking gobies, adapted to living amongst tidal mangrove swamps of northern Australia, at low tide they can be seen crawling or hopping over the exposed mudflats. They make great aquarium subjects, preferring a partially filled (slightly brackish) aquarium, landscaped so that the fish have plenty of room both above and below water. Mudskippers accept most foods and prefer to feed out of water (place the food in a shallow dish for easier maintenance.) Maximum size 10-15cm.
Freshwater Sole – Freshwater Sole are an interesting oddity, adapted to living on the bottom with both eyes on one side of the body and with perfect camouflage. Easily kept with similar sized peaceful species, they prefer sinking foods, particularly live blackworm and bloodworm.
Freshwater Sole – Freshwater Sole are an interesting oddity, adapted to living on the bottom with both eyes on one side of the body and with perfect camouflage. Easily kept with similar sized peaceful species, they prefer sinking foods, particularly live blackworm and bloodworm.
Spiney Eel – native to south-east Asia, the Spiney Eel is a popular oddball which appeals to many people looking for something a bit different. They appreciate cave-like hiding places and may burrow into the substrate if frightened. Spiney Eels will eat most frozen or live foods, with bloodworm and blackworm both favoured. They usually grow to about 15-20cm, but can grow larger in the wild. They can be kept with most community fishes except for fish such as small tetras (these might be eaten, especially by particularly large Spiney Eels.)
Ideal For Kids
Billabong Bugs – these are actually crustaceans (a relative of crabs, hermit crabs and crayfish) known to scientists as Triops australiensis. Billabong Bugs are prehistoric creatures and are sometimes referred to as living dinosaurs or dinosaur shrimp. They are distantly related to the now extinct Trilobite, an ancient ocean dweller that is often found fossilized. This is another reason that Billabong Bugs are sometimes called living fossils or mini dinosaurs.
Just add water – they come to life.
Sea-Monkeys – a brand name for brine shrimp – a group of crustaceans that undergo cryptobiosis, these animals which hatch from the eggs seem to appear instantly with-in a day. Sea monkeys are great first time pets for children, and they are fun and educational. They grow to about half an inch in size, yet only need to be fed once a week.
Itsy Bitsy Sea Dragons – amazing Aussies, native to Lake Eyre which is mostly empty, dry and white because it is covered in salt crust. But after the big rains have come once in 100 years, it fills to the top and has waves, tides and all types of fantastic life such as Sea Dragons. Itsy Bitsy Sea Dragons are older than dinosaurs. These animals store themselves like seeds until the right conditions have arrived to hatch. Watch these tiny creatures perform aqua-batics in their mini ocean.
This page is a just a basic guide. To find out more about your pet, please ask Pet City about suitable books.