How to Care for an Axolotl: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

FAQs

How to properly take care of an axolotl? ›

An essential requirement is cool, clean water in a well-sized aquarium – a 15-gallon tank is sufficient for one axolotl, ideally more comprehensive than it is tall. The water temperature should be maintained between 60 and 65°F, with pH levels between 6.5 and 8.0.

Axolotls must not be in a high flow area because it will cause them stress, and they will die. They like to walk on the bottom of the tank with minimal current. Buy your axolotl accessories for their tank. Your axolotl will need sand to lay at the base of the tank and decorations, such as rocks or caves.

Axolotls, unlike many terrestrial amphibians, do not require any specific lighting. A standard aquarium light to provide a day/night cycle will suffice, although they don't tend to like too much bright light, so it is best to keep it on a lower setting.

Axolotls are dark-colored with greenish mottling; some may have silvery highlights on the skin. It has a broad, flat body with a large head donning its signature feathery gills waving gently in the water. Its mouth is often bent into a slight grin or is otherwise expressive.

As many have noticed, axolotls are illegal to own as pets in some US states and Canadian provinces, as well as other parts of the world. In the United States, axolotls are illegal to own in California, Maine, New Jersey, and D.C., while a permit is required in New Mexico and Hawaii.

Keep water at temperatures ranging from 60-64° F. Feed them daily, sometimes twice daily. Food can consist of frozen blood worms, small insects, or even salamander and newt food. Try not to put other animals in the tank with the animal as the axolotl will have a go at eating them.

They were lucky to not have any major health issues because of my mistake, but many are not so lucky. The ideal substrate for axolotls is sand. It can pass through even small individuals without any issues and provides them with something to comfortably grip as they roam through their aquarium.

Axolotls tend to be fairly bold and are perfectly content to move about their tank as they're being watched by their humans. Some will come up to the side of their tank when a person is there observing them. However, they aren't particularly social animals and don't require any tank companions.

Axolotl Lighting and Temperature

Exposing them to direct light can also cause stress. But if there is any light-emitting near your axolotl's tank, provide it with plenty of places to hide such as caves, wood, plants, etc, and at the very least, only use LED lighting to lessen the stressing impact.

Axolotls actually have very poor eyesight. They rely on their excellent sense of smell to help them find their food. In the wild, they can be found in the dark muddy bottom of Lake Xochimilco, so they prefer habitats with less light in order to heighten their other senses.

Are axolotls OK in the dark? ›

So they are generally comfortable in moderate light, provided they have dark hides they can hang out in when they want a break from the light. It is also important not to leave the light on all night, which can disturb their natural sleep cycles. This is important: Axolotls are easily startled.

TANK SET UP

If you find that your filter is too powerful, try putting in a couple of plants or a loofa under your filter. They can help to block excess movement and soften strong currents. You can also add air stones and bubblers to increase to oxygen in the water to help keep the axolotls gills healthy.

Melanoid Axanthic Copper Axolotl

Melanoid axanthic copper axolotls, or MACs, are gorgeous axolotls! They are a beautiful lavender-hued brown whose gills can become a deep magenta when “fired up”. MACs are one of the rarest axolotls that can be selectively bred because they express three recessive traits simultaneously.

This pink and red appearance is because of the absence of melanin within their skin. 3. Wild Type: These axolotls are similar in coloration to those found in the wild. They can range in colors from dark grey and green to black and brown.

With their round heads and permanently smiling faces, wild axolotls are cute — it's one of the reasons they do well with pet owners in the pet trade. One reason they're cute is because they display neoteny, which means they retain a lot of their juvenile features throughout their adult life.

Once you have their housing setup correct, you generally only have to spend a few hours per week on feeding and cleaning. The rest is simply enjoying them as a quiet aquatic companion. Axolotls tend to be fairly bold and are perfectly content to move about their tank as they're being watched by their humans.

Axolotls make fascinating pets but are an intensive commitment. Caring for a pet axolotl is complex and requires a great deal of maintenance. Axolotls require an aquatic environment with very specific temperature, water quality and husbandry requirements.

In conclusion, axolotls need a well-maintained tank with good water quality, a suitable filtration system, an appropriate substrate, decorations and plants, and adequate lighting to thrive.

An axolotl is an aquatic salamander related to tiger salamanders. They are easy to care for and make enjoyable pets. They have a lifespan of 10-15 years in aquariums if provided the right environment and care.