AXOLOTL CARE 
Axolotl Care Guide
The axolotl, sometimes referred to as the “Mexican walking fish”, is a fully aquatic salamander. Axolotls in the wild were native only to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico. Unlike many species of salamanders, the axolotl does not go through the process of metamorphosis to lose its gills and live on land, and instead keeps its larval features for its entire life. This phenomenon of retaining larval features as an adult animal is known as neoteny.

Stages of Life

The average lifespan of an axolotl is approximately 10 years, however there have been reports of some axolotls living up to 15 years or older. Adult axolotls grow to be 23-30 cm (9-10 inches) long on average.

Mini and Dwarf Axolotls

Axolotls that do not reach the average size are often called "minis". Minis can be as small as 15 cm (6 inches) when fully grown, but still have proportional bodies. This stunted body can be caused by malnutrition and poor living conditions.

 

“Dwarf” axolotls have stunted, disproportional bodies. They can often be identified at a young age by their short, round torso and curvy tail. This deformity is due to genetic factors.

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Housing and Tank Requirements

 

The Aquarium

We recommend 110 liters (29 gallons) per axolotl as the absolute bare minimum aquarium size for axolotls of any size or age. This takes into account both water volume and floor space. However, we strongly recommend getting the largest tank you are able to get; the 180 liter (40 gallon breeder) tank is a much more suitable minimum tank size for an axolotl than the 110 liter (29 gallon).

 

Bigger is always better for axolotls. Please note that juvenile axolotls grow so rapidly that using a smaller "grow out tank" is unrealistic for this species.

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Axolotls have a very heavy bio load, which means they produce a lot of waste, resulting in a lot of nitrate. The nitrate level is constantly rising in an aquarium, and it must be kept below 20 ppm at all times with partial water changes in order to not induce stress in axolotls. Larger water volumes will dilute nitrate more and allow you to keep it below 20 ppm more easily. 

 

When considering a tank for your axolotl, it should be noted that a longer, wider tank is more suitable than a tall, thin tank, as axolotls will utilize floor space much more than open water. 

 

Another thing to consider is that some axolotls may accidentally jump from their tank if the water level is too high. Jumping can be prevented by keeping the water level a couple inches below the tank’s rim, or by using a lid. Keep in mind that if you are using fans to cool your tank, you will need a breathable lid, such as egg crate. A mesh reptile lid, however, will rust over time and leak into the tank.

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Substrate

There is always an impaction risk when using loose substrate with axolotls because they will always ingest the substrate of the tank. It is important that any gravel, small rocks, and small decorations the size of the axolotl’s head or smaller are avoided.

 

A very soft, fine sand with less than 1 mm grain size poses the least risk for axolotls. Any substrate with particles larger than 2 mm diameter is by definition gravel. When a larger axolotl ingests fine sand, it will usually pass through them without any issue.

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However, younger axolotls cannot be kept safely on sand because they are still too small for even fine sand to safely pass through them. We recommend waiting until your axolotl is at least 15 cm (6 inches) long before using a sand substrate.

 

Some other options are having no substrate at all or using rocks that are significantly larger than the axolotl's head. A bare bottom tank can be easier to keep clean, but may not provide as much grip for your axolotl. If you do not fancy the look of the bare glass, you could even use untreated tiles to dress it up.

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Habitat

Providing your axolotl with an enriching and comfortable environment is also important. Putting plenty of hiding spots in your tank is one way to accomplish this. Some axolotls may even interact with bubbles from air stones. Rearranging tank decorations from time to time provides a new layout for your axolotl to explore for enrichment.

 

Adding live plants is a possibility for an axolotl tanks. However, it should be noted that axolotls do not have eyelids and are sensitive to light. Since low lighting is the most suitable option for axolotls, you will only be able to include plants that can survive in low light cold water, such as Anubias, Elodea, java fern, java moss, Marimo algae balls, and many more.

 

If you do add aquatic plants to your tank, it is recommended to avoid using any fertilizers. The low maintenance plants that can survive in an axolotl tank typically do not require supplementation, and it is safest to avoid adding extra chemicals to an amphibian tank, since their semi-permeable skin absorbs much more of it than fish would.

 

In addition to their interesting appearance, axolotls also possess the ability to regenerate limbs and organs, such as their heart, and even certain parts of their brain! Because of this, they have been widely used in cancer research studies.

 

Axolotls are not easy pets to keep. This is mainly due to their need to be kept below room temperature, with a water chiller or clip-on fans, and their high frequency of developing diseases and illnesses. Axolotls must also be directly fed with tongs (as opposed to just dropping food into the tank), and their waste must be manually cleaned with a turkey baster. If you have decided that the axolotl is the pet for you, then this care guide is the perfect place to start.