Axolotl Care Guide

Axolotls are amazing, fun, and interesting pets but do have some special considerations.

Aquarium Size: A juvenile axolotl can be in a 10-gallon aquarium but as they grow the rule of thumb is a minimum aquarium size of 20 gallons. Longer is better than tall as they spend most of their time at the bottom of the aquarium. For multiple axolotls, a guideline of 20 gallons for one and an additional 10 gallons per axolotl.

Filtration: Sponge, hang-on back and canister filters are all great choices. Axolotls do not like high flow, so it is best to use a spray bar or something covering the output of water to soften the flow in the aquarium. You want your filtration rated at least double the size of the aquarium.

Water Conditions: Axolotls prefer pH around 7.5 and hard water. If you have low pH or soft water you can add a product to adjust it. Always be sure to dechlorinate tap water before adding it to the aquarium.

Ammonia and nitrite levels should always be zero (see information below about cycling your aquarium and tubbing an axolotl). Nitrate should be kept under 20 by doing regular water changes.

Water Temperature: Being a cold-water species it is important to keep your water temperature in the 60s. The mid-60s is ideal but anywhere from 60-69 is acceptable. The use of clip-on fans can drop water temperature by a couple of degrees. Usually, a chiller is not needed unless your home temperature tends to be kept in the upper 70s.

Substrate: Axolotls under 5" long should not be kept on any substrate. They are like a little vacuum when they eat and when smaller ingesting substrate can lead to impaction. Once over 5", sand is the best choice of substrate. You can also leave it bare bottom or use tile. Never use gravel, small or medium stones. These have a high impaction risk and aren't worth it.

Decorations: Any rocks make sure are the size of your fist or larger and with no rough edges. Axolotls need places to hide in their aquarium. You can use a wide variety of items: PVC pipe, terracotta pots on their side, fish/reptile hides (be sure they state safe for aquariums and check regularly that they do not peel or chip), and driftwood.

Feeding: Worms should be the main diet of axolotls – nightcrawlers, red wigglers, and blackworms are all staple choices. Blackworm availability is usually limited and mostly used for juveniles under 3" long. Once over 3", cut-up nightcrawlers and red wigglers are better choices. Pellets can also be used – you want either pellets specifically for axolotls or something like Hakari Sinking Carnivore Pellets. Another great choice is Repashy Grub Pie. The occasional treat of raw shrimp or salmon is also ok.
For juveniles under 6" long, feeding twice a day is ideal. Once over 6" you can go to once a day.

Water changes and maintenance: Water changes should be done as needed to maintain nitrates under 20. The frequency will vary depending on aquarium size, filtration capacity, number of axolotls, and how often spot cleaning waste. To maintain the best water quality it is advised to spot-clean out any uneaten food and poop daily or as you see it. A turkey baster is your best friend for this!

Be sure to cycle your aquarium!

Just like with fish tanks cycling your aquarium for an axolotl is imperative. Using a bottled bacteria supplement will speed this process up tremendously. Also, if you happen to have a filter on another aquarium and can move some pads or media over, this too will speed up the process.

What do I do if I don't have a fully cycled aquarium ready?

Tubbing your axolotl is common practice when you do not have an aquarium ready yet. Axolotls can live very happily in a container until your tank is ready. For your "tub" any plastic food-safe container will work. You want something big enough that the axolotl has space to move around and have some sort of hide (usually a sideways mug is an easy choice).

While your axolotl is tubbed you want to change the water once per day with dechlorinated cool water. Seachem Prime is the dechlorinater of choice. This is easiest when have two containers so the second one is ready with fresh water to switch the axolotl over with the least amount of stress. An air stone can be added but is not required.

Do axolotls do well in multiples?

You can keep multiple axolotls together usually with no issue. However, females and males must be kept separate. Axolotls become mature at 18 months old so you do not usually know the gender of a juvenile. If housing multiple juveniles together, be prepared to separate them at some point if you end up with opposite sexes.