Before there was a sanctuary, there was one very special axolotl who started it all… 🩵

Meet Bubbles — the original member of the harem and the heart behind YYC Axolotl Sanctuary.

Bubbles joined our family in October 2025 as a juvenile axolotl, originally brought home as a birthday gift for our oldest daughter. At the time, we were definitely “dog people” and knew very little about aquatic pets. But from the moment Bubbles arrived, everything changed.

As Bubbles grew, so did our passion for these incredible animals.

Today, Bubbles lives in a fully enriched 40-gallon breeder setup complete with climbing shelves, resting islands, and plenty of space to explore. Over time, he has upgraded from a simple bare-bottom tank into a carefully designed environment that reflects his active and curious personality. He loves swimming, climbing, and investigating every inch of his world.

And personality? Bubbles has plenty of it.

• He absolutely loves the camera and somehow always manages to stare directly into it like he’s posing for selfies.

• He is incredibly picky with food. Red wrigglers are his undeniable favourite, while bloodworms and cherry shrimp earn approval as snacks. Pellets and Repashy pie, however, are immediately rejected without hesitation. He also tolerates Night Crawlers, but only when he’s in the right mood.

• He has a favourite hide that he stubbornly refuses to give up, even though he has long since outgrown it.

Bubbles may have started as “just a pet,” but he became so much more. He inspired a deep love for axolotls, a commitment to proper care and education, and ultimately the creation of YYC Axolotl Sanctuary itself.

He will always be our original Axie — and the reason this journey began 🩵