Proper Axolotl Care:


Axolotl Size

An adult axolotl can be between 8-10 inches but can
get upward of 12+ inches, this is rare.

Sexual maturity

Between 6-18 months, male axolotls will form a large bump at the base of the tail
and a female will have a small one or may not have one at all

Axolotl Life Span

Axolotls can live 10-20 years if taken care of properly.
Some have even been known to live past 20 years!


Axolotl Housing

A 20-gallon long aquarium is a minimum size for a single axolotl, add 10 gallons for
each addition (so if you want 3, you’ll need at least a 40-gallon tank).


Axolotls do not emerge from the water, so a land area would go unused. Fill the aquarium to
the depth of your choice, but it will be easier to maintain good water parameters when the
aquarium is filled as you would for aquarium fish.


A lid or aquarium hood must always be kept in place, as axolotls
have been known to jump out of their aquariums.


Male and Females should never be housed together, due to the fact they can
breed themselves to exhaustion and in some cases, death.


A filter will help maintain safe water parameters. The most common choice is an external canister filter
but ensures the water outlet to the aquarium is fitted with a spray bar or other flow-spreading outlet. A filter
with an adjustable flow will also work. You can also use in-tank canister filters, as well as sponge filters, as
they tend to have less flow. This is necessary because axolotls do not tolerate distinct water flow like fish.
Axolotls that live in noticeable water flow for a few months can stop eating and develop stress-related
diseases. Lack of appetite and forward-curled gills are usually a sign of stress.

Axolotl Lighting and Temperature

Like the vast majority of amphibians, axolotls do not require lighting. Lighting is generally for our
viewing pleasure, and for the benefit of aquarium plants. New axolotls may be shy if kept under
bright lighting, though they will become accustomed to it if provided with some hiding places
(aquarium “furniture” such as caves, wood, plants, etc.).


Choose a plant-friendly bulb such as those sold for freshwater aquarium fish. Keep in
mind that lighting fixtures often generate a lot of excess heat and this can be detrimental to axolotls.


Temperatures up to 68 Fahrenheit are well-tolerated by axolotls. An ideal temperature range is
the low- to mid-60s. Temperatures above 74 degrees will invariably lead to heat stress,
loss of appetite and in some cases death.


for your circumstances. If you must have an axolotl but you have temperature problems, consider
buying an aquarium chiller for the warmer parts of the year.

Axolotl Substrate

Axolotls have a bad habit of ingesting gravel and mouth-sized objects. This can lead their gut
to become impacted and cause the death of the axolotl. Anything the size of an axolotl’s head
(or smaller) can and will be consumed!


This means that sand, slate rock, tile, and large stones are best suited for your tank.


A substrate is not required– many keepers use no substrate at all – but it is certainly more pleasing
to the eye in a display aquarium if a substrate is used. It will also help to keep water parameters
stable by providing surface area for beneficial bacteria.

Axolotl Diet

Canadian nightcrawlers, European nightcrawlers, Axolotl pellets, Blackworms.

In a bind: 

 Frozen bloodworms or Frozen brine shrimp cubes

Treats:(never feed more than once a week)

Waxworms, Butter worms, Black fly larvae, Maggots, Fruit fly larvae,
Horned worms (REMOVE HORN), Blackworms (as treats for adults)

As is the case with most salamanders, axolotls have no need of vitamin/mineral supplementation,
and it would be hard to deliver this to an aquatic animal. In my experience, axolotls fed solely
on nightcrawlers will never develop any vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Axolotl Water and Quality

Tap water is fine for axolotls, provided it is first treated with a water conditioner to
remove chlorine and chloramines. Avoid conditioners with aloe, as this can harm them. 


Axolotls can be far more forgiving than aquarium fish when it comes to water quality,
but a good filter and regular water changes should be employed, nonetheless. If you’ve
ever kept aquarium fish, follow a similar routine. The video on our website.


Ideally, a new aquarium and filter should be allowed to cycle for 6-8 weeks prior to the introduction of
axolotls, to let the water conditions settle and filter bacteria develop. Be sure to keep an eye
on water parameters using the freshwater test kits sold at aquarium stores.


Parameters should have a PH between 7-8, Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - Below 40ppm.

Axolotl Handling and Temperament

Axolotls are delicate and soft-bodied amphibians with permeable skin. As such, axolotls should
not be handled unless necessary (they are tricky to catch in a net). If you use a net to move an
axolotl, avoid nets with mesh that would let an axolotl’s fingers get damaged.
Use a soft, very fine mesh net.


A popular question is if you can hold your axolotl. They are aquatic animals, so holding them out
of the water is not good, unless it is to switch tanks. Touching too much can harm their
slime coat and make it vulnerable to bacteria and fungus.


Young axolotls tend to nip at or bite off the legs and gills of their tankmates, so youngsters
should only be kept together if fed well and given plenty of space.

Due to the tendency of nipping, fish should not be kept with axolotls. In fact, an axolotl
aquarium should contain only axolotls.

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