Recent Posts

I have just received an email from admin @ esotericbydesign . org and I am a little concerned because it coincides with the recent server problems which have caused some forum connectivity issues and I'm hoping my hosting account hasn't been hacked.

I hope nobody else has been bothered by spam from this site and if they have I apologise and promise to do everything I can to ensure it doesn't happen again.

If you are experiencing spam generated from this site you can contact me via THIS web page.

I apologise for the recent problems some people have experienced in accessing the Esoteric by Design forum. I suppose servers can crash regardless of the price you're paying for web hosting, however, in the past 12 months, 000webhost have provided a superb service and it hasn't cost me a bean. In fact, I would not hesitate in highly recommending 000webhost to anyone looking for free web hosting.

Introducing  Tinto



Here's a picture of Tinto, he/she is the largest of Mike and Kylie's 1st lot of babies, born on the 10th February 2010.

He might have lopsided gill branches, but he's a beauty.
He's about 10cm long and his head is about the size of my thumb

I still have some of his smaller siblings for sale. If you are interested I can be contacted HERE

Here's a warning for anyone that ever thought their axolotls would be fine with gravel or small stones as a substrate in their tank.

Check out the "Large rock in belly!" thread from the caudata.org forum.















Thankfully, Kuphie, Shamrock's owner managed to save her life. Many thanks to Kuphie for allowing me to use pictures of Shamrock here and for sharing her remarkable story.

Here are some pictures taken today of the golden albino babies at exactly 4 months old. My photography skills are sadly lacking and my camera is very old but You get the general idea.  They are now measuringin at between 4 and 5cm in length and they're all happily eating frozen bloodworm now.

The History of the house of Stanley, From the Conquest, to the Death of the Right Honorable Edward, Late Earl of Derby, in 1776.

100 Songs To Feed The Soul

Sometimes, during those long summer nights, when there's no work in the morning and the kids are in bed and the lights are low and silence reigns, I like to relax and listen to some tunes.  

I've called this collection, "100 Songs To Feed The Soul" because, in their own way, each song that follows does seem to nourish and enrich me with its ability to provoke an emotional response. Each of these songs manages to touch me in ways I cannot begin to describe. It could be the lyric, or just a single line of the lyric that reaches me. It could be a short saxophone solo that resonates long after the song has finished or a simple drum beat that stirs something deep within me.

From Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, 1602:

DUKE ORSINO:
If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.

Duke Orsino believes an excess of music, will remove his appetite for love in the same way that an excess of cashew nuts would eventually remove my appetite for food. However, it's my belief that music is food for the soul and fortunately the soul has an insatiable appetite. Welcome to my feast. Gorge yourselves my friends and if you have any comments, go HERE

Play On

Phil Collins - If Leaving Me Is Easy

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I read all the letters, I read each word that you've sent to me. And though it's past now, And your words start to fade. All the memories I have still remain. I've kept all the pictures, but I hide my feelings so no-one knows. Oh sure my friends all come round, but I'm in a crowd and on my own. It's 'cos you're gone now. But your heart, still remains. And it'll be here if you come again. You see, I'd heard the rumours, I knew before you let me know. But I didn't believe it, not you, No you would not let me go. Seems I was wrong. But I love,  love you the same. And that's the one thing that you can't take away, Just remember... If leaving me is easy, then you know, coming back is harder... Oh. If leaving me is easy, then you know, coming back is harder... Oh. If leaving me is easy, then you know, coming back is harder... Oh. If leaving me is easy, then you know, coming back is harder... Oh. If leaving me is easy, then you know, coming back is harder... .

Lamb - Gorecki

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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you Still in my heart this moment Or it might burst Could we stay right here 'til the end of time 'til the earth stops turning Wanna love you until the seas run dry I've found the one I've waited for All this time I've loved you And never known your face All this time I've missed you And searched this human race Here is true peace Here my heart knows calm Safe in your soul Bathed in your sighs Wanna stay right here 'til the end of time 'til the earth stops turning Gonna love you 'til the seas run dry I've found the one I've waited for The one I've waited for All I've known All I've done All I've felt was leading to this All I've known All I've done All I've felt was leading to this Wanna stay right here 'Til the end of time 'till the earth stops turning Gonna love you till the seas run dry I've found the one I've waited for The one I've waited for The one I've waited for Wanna stay right here 'Til the end of time 'till the earth stops turning Gonna love you till the seas run dry I've found the one I've waited for The one I've waited for The one I've waited for

Kate Bush - This Woman's Work

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Pray God you can cope. I stand outside this woman's work, This woman's world. Ooh, it's hard on the man, Now his part is over. Now starts the craft of the father. I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left. I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left. I should be crying, but I just can't let it show. I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking Of all the things I should've said, That I never said. All the things we should've done, That we never did. All the things I should've given, But I didn't. Oh, darling, make it go, Make it go away. Give me these moments back. Give them back to me. Give me that little kiss. Give me your hand. (I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left. I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left.) I should be crying, but I just can't let it show. I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking Of all the things we should've said, That were never said. All the things we should've done, That we never did. All the things that you needed from me. All the things that you wanted for me. All the things that I should've given, But I didn't. Oh, darling, make it go away. Just make it go away now.

Faithless - Evergreen

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Running with my rain face on Today I woke up feeling sad I know that you said, That one day I would be glad Oh the choirs of winter birds are calling, to me and, All the leaves I came to love are falling. Ribbons on evergreen, owls that pull them apart. I can hear you singing my funny valentine Oh you know that breaks my heart. Choirs of winter birds are calling, to me and, All the leaves I came to love... Oh you know that breaks my heart Oh you know that breaks my heart. Running with my rain face on, no idea of what to say. No idea of what to do. In this fear that never goes. Show a way. All my dreams for you All my dreams my dear All my dreams for you All my dreams, all my dreams, all my dreams All my dreams, all my dreams, all my dreams. All my dreams, all my dreams, all my dreams All my dreams, all my dreams, all my dreams Oh you know it breaks my heart. Choirs of winter birds are calling, to me and, All the leaves I came to love, Oh you know that breaks my heart Oh you know that breaks my heart All my dreams for You Oh you know That breaks my heart

Aimee Mann - Wise Up

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It's not What you thought When you first began it You got What you want N' you can hardly stand it though, By now you know It's not going to stop It's not going to stop It's not going to stop 'Til you wise up You're sure There's a cure And you have finally found it You think One drink Will shrink you 'til you're underground And living down But it's not going to stop It's not going to stop It's not going to stop 'Til you wise up Prepare a list for what you need Before you sign away the deed 'Cause it's not going to stop It's not going to stop It's not going to stop 'Til you wise up No, it's not going to stop 'Til you wise up No, it's not going to stop So just...give up

Elton John & George Michael - Don't Let The Sun Go Down

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I can't light no more of your darkness. All my pictures seem to fade to black and white. I'm growing tired and time stands still before me. Frozen here on the ladder of my life. It's much too late to save myself from falling. I took a chance and changed your way of life. But you misread my meaning when I met you. Closed the door and left me blinded by the light. Don't let the sun go down on me yeah. Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see. I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free. But losing everything is like the sun going down on me. (Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Elton John) I can't find, oh the right romantic line. But see me once and see the way I feel. Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm. But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal. Don't let the sun go down on me. Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see. I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free. 'Cos losin' everything is like the sun going down on me. Don't let the sun go down on me. Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see ..yeah. I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free.. baby. 'Cos losing everything is like the sun going down on me. (Mr. Elton John).

Chris Isaak - Wicked Games

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The world was on fire no-one could save me but you Strange what desire will make foolish people do I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you I never dreamed that I'd loose somebody like you No, I don't wanna fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart) No, I don't wanna fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart) With you With you (This world is only gonna break your heart) What a wicked game to play to make me feel this way What a wicked thing to do to let me dream of you What a wicked thing to say you never felt this way What a wicked thing to do to make me dream of you And I wanna fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart) No, I wanna fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart) With you The world was on fire no-one could save me but you Strange what desire will make foolish people do I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you I never dreamed that I'd loose somebody like you No, I don't wanna fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart) No, I don't wanna fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart) With you (this world is only gonna break your heart) With you (This world is only gonna break your heart) No, I... (This world is only gonna break your heart) (This world is only gonna break your heart) Nobody loves no-one

Annie Lennox - Cold

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Come to me Run to me Do and be done with me (Cold cold cold) Don't I exist for you Don't I still live for you (Cold cold cold) Everything I possess Given with tenderness Wrapped in a ribbon of glass Time it may take us but God only knows How I've paid for those things in the past Dying is easy it's living that scares me to death I could be so content hearing the sound of your breath (ohh yeah) Cold is the colour of crystal the snowlight That falls from the heavenly skies Catch me and let me dive under For I want to swim in the pools of your eyes I want to be with you baby Ohhhh Slip me inside of your heart Don't I belong to you baby Don't you know that nothing can tear us apart Come on now come on now come on now Telling you that I loved you right from the start... But the more I want you the less I get Ain't that just the way things are... Winter has frozen us Let love take hold of us (Cold cold cold) Now we are shivering Blue ice is glittering (Cold cold cold) Cold is the colour of crystal the snowlight That falls from the heavenly skies Catch me and let me dive under For I want to swim in the pools of your eyes Don't you know its......Cold Cold Cold Cold Cold Cold... Ohhhhhhh Yeah

Air Supply - All out of love

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I'm lying alone with my head on the phone Thinking of you till it hurts I know you're hurt too but what else can we do, tormented and torn apart I wish I could carry your smile in my heart For times when my life seems so low It would make me believe what tomorrow could bring When today doesn't really know, doesn't really know I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you I know you were right believing for so long I'm all out of love, what am I without you? I can't be too late to say that I was so wrong I want you to come back and carry me home Away from these long lonely nights I'm reaching for you, are you feeling it too Does the feeling seem oh so right And what would you say if I called on you now And said that I can't hold on There's no easy way, it gets harder each day Please love me or I'll be gone, I'll be gone... I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you I know you were right believing for so long I'm all out of love, what am I without you? I can't be too late to say that I was so wrong Oh, what are you thinking of? What are you thinking of? What are you thinking of? What are you thinking of? I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you I know you were right believing for so long I'm all out of love, what am I without you? I can't be too late I know I was so wrong I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you I know you were right believing for so long I'm all out of love, what am I without you? I can't be too late I know I was so wrong I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you I know you were right believing for so long I'm all out of love, what am I without you? I can't be too late to say that I was so wrong

Alexander O'neal - If You Were Here Tonight

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As the night moves in Love takes on new meaning If you were here You would know what I mean to say Circumstance leaves me only waiting For the chance I only want to love you more ... more Can't you understand it Girl you know how much I care It's not the way I planned it no If you could only know my feelings You would know how much I do believe If you were here tonight By my side If you were with me now When the lights go out I can not pretend This bed's too big ohh For me to be in alone, all alone. Slow burn light a candle for our love ... love So we'll always be one to one in love ooh Can't you understand it Girl you know how much I care It's not the way I planned it No, no no no no If you could only know my feelings You would know how much I do believe If you were here tonight oh right By my side If you were with me now Every night alone I just wait here anticipating For the day I won't feel this pain baby Please don't keep me waiting Come to me If you were here tonight Ooh oh girl Be by my side If you were with me now Girl this bed's too big for me For me to be in all alone All alone (By my side) Don't keep me waiting baby If you were with me now Oh oh ooh hold me girl all night Want you for myself Do me right Got nobody else All by myself Got nobody else girl this love is true Please take me home Be with you tonight Give our love a light Do just what you feel Please don't be a tease Girl I love you more You're the one that I adore... (Ohh ohh oh girl) (Ohh oh) (Don't leave me lonely) (All by myself) (All alone tonight) (Girl I'm by myself)

Weekend Players - Jericho

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I hear your voice calling out to reach me, Then all is calm and clear. I feel no pain when you hold me, Pull me in and draw me near. I see your eyes of hazy blues But oh so clear, sincere and true And i feel brand new, new, new, new Come fill my senses up with you You've turned the jaded into new Come fill my senses up with you Love would be senseless without you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you There was a time when love was blind Love lost and all at sea Love came in dreams and waves Came and went away from me All forsaken All forlorn All mistaken Feel no scorn And then you pulled me from the darkness And I see things new, new, new, new Come fill my senses up with you You've turned the jaded into new Come fill my senses up with you Love would be senseless without you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you Come fill my senses up with you You've turned the jaded into new Come fill my senses up with you Love would be senseless without you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you Come fill my senses up with you You, you, you, you, you, you

Paul Weller - You Do Something To Me

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You do something to me, something deep inside I'm hanging on the wire for a love I'll never find You do something wonderful then chase it all away Mixing my emotions that throws me back again Hanging on the wire, yeah I'm waiting for that change I'm dancing through the fire, just to catch a flame an' feel again Hanging on the wire, yeah Said I'm waiting for that change Oh I'm dancing through the fire, just to catch a flame an' feel again You do something to me somewhere deep inside I'm hoping to get close to.. a peace I cannot find Dancing through the fire just to catch a flame Just to get close to, just close enough To tell you that..... You do something to me something deep inside.

Massive Attack - Teardrop

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Love, love is a verb Love is a doing word Fearless on my breath Gentle impulsion Shakes me makes me lighter Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath night, night of my tear Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath Water is my eye Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire of a confession Fearless on my breath Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath You're stumbling a little You're stumbling a little

Coldplay - In My Place

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In my place, in my place Were lines that I couldn't change I was lost, oh yeah I was lost, I was lost Crossed lines I shouldn't have crossed I was lost, oh yeah Yeah, how long must you wait for it? Yeah, how long must you pay for it? Yeah, how long must you wait for it? Oh, for it. I was scared, I was scared Tired and underprepared But I wait for it And if you go, if you go Leave me down here on my own Then I'll wait for you, yeah Yeah, how long must you wait for it? Yeah, how long must you pay for it? Yeah, how long must you wait for it? Oh, for it. Please, please, please Come on and sing to me To me, me Come on and sing it out, out, out Come on and sing it now, now, now Come on and sing it In my place, in my place Were lines that I couldn't change I was lost, oh yeah Oh yeah

Sia - Breathe Me

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Help, I have done it again I have been here many times before Hurt myself again today And, the worst part is there's no-one else to blame Be my friend Hold me, wrap me up Unfold me I am small I'm needy Warm me up And breathe me Ouch I have lost myself again Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found, Yeah I think that I might break I've lost myself again and I feel unsafe Be my friend Hold me, wrap me up Unfold me I am small I'm needy Warm me up And breathe me Be my friend Hold me, wrap me up Unfold me I am small I'm needy Warm me up And breathe me

Sade - No Ordinary Love

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I gave you all the love I got I gave you more than I could give I gave you love I gave you all that I have inside And you took my love You took my love Didn't I tell you What I believe Did somebody say that A love like that won't last Didn't I give you All that I've got to give baby I gave you all the love I got I gave you more than I could give I gave you love I gave you all that I have inside And you took my love You took my love I keep crying I keep trying for you There's nothing like you and I baby This is no ordinary love No ordinary love This is no ordinary love No ordinary love When you came my way You brightened every day With your sweet smile Didn't I tell you What I believe Did somebody say that A love like that won't last Didn't I give you All that I've got to give baby This is no ordinary love No ordinary love This is no ordinary love No ordinary love I keep crying I keep trying for you There's nothing like you and I baby This is no ordinary love No ordinary love This is no ordinary love No ordinary love Keep trying for you Keep crying for you Keep flying for you Keep flying I'm falling I'm falling Keep trying for you Keep crying for you Keep flying for you Keep flying I'm falling I'm falling

Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

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Love i get so lost, sometimes Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart When i want to run away I drive off in my car But whichever way i go I come back to the place you are All my instincts, they return And the grand facade, so soon will burn Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside In your eyes The light the heat In your eyes I am complete In your eyes I see the doorway to a thousand churches In your eyes The resolution of all the fruitless searches In your eyes I see the light and the heat In your eyes Oh, i want to be that complete I want to touch the light The heat i see in your eyes Love, i don't like to see so much pain So much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away I get so tired of working so hard for our survival I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive And all my instincts, they return And the grand facade, so soon will burn Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside In your eyes The light the heat In your eyes I am complete In your eyes I see the doorway to a thousand churches In your eyes The resolution of all the fruitless searches In your eyes I see the light and the heat In your eyes Oh, i want to be that complete I want to touch the light, The heat i see in your eyes In your eyes in your eyes In your eyes in your eyes In your eyes in your eyes

U2 - One

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Is it getting better? Or do you feel the same? Will it make it easier on you now? You got someone to blame You say One love One life When it's one need In the night One love We get to share it Leaves you baby if you Don't care for it Did I disappoint you? Or leave a bad taste in your mouth? You act like you never had love And you want me to go without Well it's Too late Tonight To drag the past out into the light We're one, but we're not the same We get to Carry each other Carry each other One Have you come here for forgiveness? Have you come to raise the dead? Have you come here to play Jesus? To the lepers in your head Did I ask too much? More than a lot. You gave me nothing, Now it's all I got We're one But we're not the same Well we Hurt each other Then we do it again You say Love is a temple Love a higher law Love is a temple Love the higher law You ask me to enter But then you make me crawl And I can't be holding on To what you got When all you got is hurt One love One blood One life You got to do what you should One life With each other Sisters Brothers One life But we're not the same We get to Carry each other Carry each other One One

Blink 182 - Miss You

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Hello there, the angel from my nightmare, The shadow in the background of the morgue, The unsuspecting victim of darkness in the valley We can live like Jack and Sally if we want Where you can always find me And we'll have Halloween on Christmas And in the night we'll wish this never ends We'll wish this never ends (I miss you) (I miss you) Where are you and I'm so sorry I cannot sleep, I cannot dream tonight I need somebody and always This sick strange darkness Comes creeping on so haunting every time And as I stared I counted The webs from all the spiders Catching things and eating their insides Like indecision to call you And hear your voice of treason Will you come home and stop this pain tonight Stop this pain tonight Don't waste your time on me you're already The voice inside my head (I miss you) Don't waste your time on me you're already The voice inside my head (I miss you) Don't waste your time on me you're already The voice inside my head (I miss you) Don't waste your time on me you're already The voice inside my head (I miss you) Don't waste your time on me you're already The voice inside my head (I miss you) Don't waste your time on me you're already The voice inside my head (I miss you) (I miss you, miss you) (I miss you, miss you) (I miss you, miss you) (I miss you, miss you)

Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - We've Got Tonight

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I know it's late, I know you're weary I know your plans don't include me Still here we are, both of us lonely Longing for shelter from all that we see Why should we worry, no one will care girl Look at the stars so far away We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? We've got tonight babe Why don' you stay? Deep in my soul, I've been so lonely All of my hopes, fading away I've longed for love, like everyone else does I know I'll keep searching, even after today So there it is girl, I've said it all now And here we are babe, what do you say? We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? We've got tonight babe Why don't you stay? I know it's late, I know you're weary (weary) I know your plans don't include me Still here we are, both of us lonely (lonely) both of us lonely (lonely) We've got tonight, (We've got tonight) who needs tomorrow? Let's make it last, let's find a way Turn out the light, (We've got tonight) come take my hand now We've got tonight babe Why don't you stay? We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? (who needs tomorrow?) Let's make it last, let's find a way Turn out the light, come take my hand now We've got tonight babe Why don't you stay? We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? Let's make it last, let's find a way Turn out the light, come take my hand now We've got tonight babe Why don't you stay? Ohh.. Why don't you stay?

Please comment here.

SMF reported the forum was out of date and some bug fixes and some security issues have been addressed  ... "Upgrade in minutes" they said.

  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Nearly 2 hours later and after a quick tutorial in php script I've managed to get back.

I have absolutely no idea what has changed, and truth be known, I would have settled for the buggy, holes in security version back again just 20 mins ago.

We're in a full blown heatwave and I'm battling to keep my adults and babies cool. I also have some early hatchlings from the batch of eggs laid by Gilbit during the early hours of May 9th.  Luckily I stated on the ebay listing that they could start to hatch from the 23rd so my estimation wasn't too far out. Some people were prepared, but, quite understandably, there have been people caught short and they don't have their BBS (Baby Brine Shrimp) hatchery in full production yet.

Don't Panic

The hatchling larvae don't usually eat for between 24 and 36 hours after hatching due to the contents of their own egg sack still being in their tummys, so you have time to get the hatchery sorted.

Some people have asked me about feeding BBS to larvae and told me they would rather  feed them with white worm or other almost microscopic nematodes.  All I can say is I've had great success myself using BBS. It's what I was advised to feed them on by the very knowledgeable folk on the caudata.org forum. I have said elsewhere that I keep a micro-worm culture running in case my hatchery fails for whatever reason and I do harvest them and feed them to my larvae from time to time as a supplement. However, BBS are the perfect size for tiny axolotls and freshly hatched BBS do have a highly nutritious egg sac which gives the axolotl larvae a fantastic, and in the opinion of many, the best possible starter food.

Another person recently suggested that salt introduced to the axolotl larvae through BBS could be bad for them. Let me please be very clear here, I do not feed my larvae on BBS until they have been cleaned. Obviously I cannot possibly eliminate every trace of salt.

I harvest my shrimp from the hatchery using a capillary tube as shown on the video in the care sheet thread

I put the BBS I've harvested into a 2 litre container with 1 litre of dechlorinated water. There is hardly any salt water introduced into the fresh water, just a thick orange jelly like mass of BBS. These are stirred into the fresh water and allowed to re-settle. They soon form into a thick orange cloud which can be sucked up with a plastic pipette and dropped right where they are wanted. I don't believe the axolotl larvae are exposed to much salt at all.

My advice is unreserved,  feed your axolotl larvae and babies on BBS.