Axolotl (Ambystoma Mexicanum)
These wonderfully photogenic fully aquatic salamanders retain all of their larval features, meaning their exterior gills do not disappear, making for a wonderful and visually striking addition to the home aquarium. Becoming popular with children in recent years due to appearing in minecraft games, they actually need a lot of special care and attention.
They have very sensitive skin and should never be handled or unnecessarily removed from their tank. Particularly sensitive to poor water conditions, we recommend regular weekly 25-50% water changes to keep nitrates and ammonia down.
Axolotl are endangered in the wild but can grow as big as 30 cm in aquaria, so require lots of space to explore their tank.
Mostly solitary but can be housed with other Axolotl if they are all introduced at the same time and are of similar size, provided there are ample hiding places and plenty of space so they do not fight for territory.
Care
Tank size: 30-40 gallon
Temperature: 16-20℃
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Size: 25-30 cm
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Feeding
Axolotl are carnivorous and love to ambush their prey, often resting and waiting for food to swim close by, then striking.
We recommend a mixture or live and frozen foods such as bloodworms and earthworms and supplement with specialist axolotl pellets.
Juveniles require feeding daily while adults can be fed every other day but monitor for hunger or aggression.
If keeping more than one axolotl per tank we suggest target feeding each axolotl to ensure they all eat.
Breeding
Axolotl can be bred in home aquariums with ease providing they have the correct parameters.
A cooling period often followed by a slight increase of temperature along with longer natural daylight hours can help trigger their breeding response.
They reach sexual maturity at around 12-18 months.
When females are carrying eggs they often have rounder fuller bodies and the males have a swollen cloacal region, signalling they are ready to spawn.
The female lays her eggs and the male follows, fertilising the eggs and attaching them to plants rocks or other surfaces in the tank
Axolotl #1
Please see our more extensive care guides:
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Brief Guide:
Tank: 75 litre minimum. 150+ Litre better
Temperature: 16-18 degrees C. These are NOT tropical fish.
Environment: Slighly alkaline pH 7.4-7.6
Feeding: Earthworms, night crawlers, red wrigglers, sinking carnivore/axolotl pellets , not standard flakes.
Feed Frequency: Adults 3-4 times per week. Juveniles 6-8 months daily- small meals
Treats: Frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
Maintenance and Health
Water Changes: Perform 25-30% weekly water changes, using a dechlorinator, to remove waste.
Tank Mates: Best kept alone or with similar sized axolotl.
Water Quality: Keep ammonia and nitrites at zero. GH 7-14, KH 3-8.
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years if well cared for.
Stimulation: Hides and tunnels. Bare base or fine sand only. Avoid gravel. Low light - sensitive to UVb