Axolotl

Common Name: Axolotl
Scientific Name: Ambystoma mexicanum
Distribution: Endemic to Mexico
Size: 8-10″
Life Span: 10-15 years

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Axolotls are adorable amphibians that can make excellent pets! Although critically endangered in the wild, captive-bred individuals are widely available. Some states have restrictions on keeping axolotls, so be sure to check your state’s laws before taking home an axolotl.

HABITAT

Axolotls are fully aquatic amphibians that live their whole lives in water. When choosing a habitat, you must ensure the enclosure can hold water.
Horizontal space is more important than a deep water level. We recommend having the water level at least the same depth as the length of their body.
For adults, we recommend our 50-gallon Low Boy Aquarium.
Provide a variety of décor, hides, caves, and shelters for your axolotl. We recommend the Turtle Hut. Additionally, the Repti Hammock can be secured to the aquarium walls below the water level, providing a suspended area for your pet to lounge. Always make sure there are no sharp edges that could harm their delicate feathery gills.
Adding live plants to your axolotl’s home can be fun, look great, and even help your axolotl feel more comfortable. Several easy-to-care-for plants with low-light requirements are Pothos (Latin sp.), Anubias (Anubias barteri), Hygrophila (Hygrophila pinnatifida), and Salvinia (Salvinia natans).
We do not recommend housing axolotls with live fish, as they can pick on their sensitive gills.

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TEMPERATURE

Axolotls require a cold water habitat, so care must be taken when choosing the proper place for their aquarium. Choose the coolest room in your home, away from windows or direct sun exposure.
Use a thermometer to ensure the water temperature is between 60-64°F and never let the water temperature exceed 72°F. We recommend using our Min-Max Thermometer to view the current temperature and monitor temperature fluctuations.
To help lower water temperatures, use the Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan. Consider adding a second Aqua Cool fan if a more significant temperature decrease is needed. When using this product, pay attention to the water level in your aquarium, as the fan works through evaporative cooling and will increase evaporation.
To automate the Aqua Cool fan, you can use the cooling function of a thermostat like our Environmental Control Center.

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LIGHTING

Axolotls can be sensitive to light and do not have eyelids to block out light. Always provide hiding places for your axolotl to retreat from light if desired.
If adding light to their tank, we recommend using a dimmable LED light on a low setting. Our AquaEffects is dimmable and has a programmable timer with sunrise and sunset transitions to avoid stress from lights abruptly turning on/off.

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SUBSTRATES

Axolotls vacuum their food and anything around it, so care must be taken when choosing a substrate. We don’t recommend using river rocks or gravel.
Many keepers prefer a bare bottom tank without substrate or use slate tiles for a better appearance to provide traction. We recommend you choose one of these options for babies and juveniles. These options make the tank easy to clean but make keeping live plants difficult.
Fine, natural quartz sand (ReptiSand®) is an excellent option for adult axolotls but requires more maintenance. You must rinse the sand before use to remove dust and regularly siphon to remove debris and air pockets. This option looks very nice and will allow you to more easily keep live plants.

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NUTRITION

Axolotls are carnivores with a voracious appetite, especially when they are rapidly growing babies.
Newly hatched axolotls must eat multiple times a day and should be fed live food items as they rely solely on movement to locate their food at this age.
Most axolotls available for sale are old enough to readily accept an easy-to-feed, vitamin-fortified pellet. Our high-protein, soft-moist Axolotl Food is a great staple for axolotls ready for a pelleted diet. Juveniles should be fed this diet daily, and adults every other day.
For a treat, try our Can O’ Bloodworms!

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WATER QUALITY

It’s essential to keep your axolotl’s water clean using a good filter. Axolotls are not good swimmers, so be mindful of the water flow intensitiy from the filter.
Do a 30% water change weekly. For quick and easy siphoning, use our Terra Pump.
Always treat tap water added to your aquarium with a water conditioner, like ReptiSafe® or Aqua Pure.