It's important to research prior to purchase, as they do need a specific setup for long term care. Axolotls, although native to Mexico, are in fact a cold water animal. Their optimal temperature range is 16-18°C. Being a cold blooded animal, they cannot regulate their body temperature.
Temperatures below 70° are ideal, and those between 70° and 74° can become problematic, though they can be managed. The warmer the water is, the less oxygen it can hold. Because of this, the warmer an axolotl aquarium is, the more important aeration and oxygen levels become.
If the water temperature rises and maintains above 24°C (e.g., during hot spells in summer), axolotls will present with clinical signs ranging from inappetance, ascites and uncontrollable floating. Emergency treatment by placing the axolotl in a dish in the refrigerator is helpful.
The ideal water pH is 7.4-7.6. Chlorine, as found in tap water, is harmful to axolotls and so either a de-chlorinator must be used, or the water must be left to stand for 24 hours before adding it to the tank. If you live in an area in which chloramines are added to the water then a de- chlorinator is essential.
In the wild, when temperatures get too low, axolotls might shed their slime coat, and be vulnerable to stress and diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to not let the water temperature drop below 50°F.
Axolotls and goldfish cannot be kept together as tank mates or in a fish tank. The creatures require different basic living conditions and water parameters, and goldfish could stress and injure the Axolotls by nipping at their tails and gills.
Axolotl care requirements are minimal, and provided temperature and water flow are well controlled, they are hardy, easy-to-care-for captives that breed readily in captivity. It is difficult to think of a more unusual display animal than the axolotl, and its bold and tame nature makes it an interactive pet.
Axolotl Tank Cleaning
You simply need to remove 25% of the aquarium water every 1-2 weeks to make sure that there is no buildup of harmful ammonia and nitrates in your tank. Follow the steps below to keep your aquarium clean and safe for your axolotls.
Axolotls need to start with at least 20 gallons as the more significant the tank footprint, the better, so pick a 20 gal long over a standard 20 gal and add 10 gallons per Axolotl. So if you have four axolotls, it would be most suitable to have them in a 40-gallon breeder tank (long and low tank).
They are relatively easy to care for and hardy, which makes them suitable for beginner pet owners. Plus, their dietary needs are fairly straightforward.
Can you keep axolotls with fish? The answer, surprisingly, is yes — you just need to choose your fish carefully. One thing to keep in mind when keeping fish with axolotls is that those long flowy gills can start to look like food to just about any fish who's hungry enough.
Lifespan: In the wild, axolotls generally live 5-6 years but can reach 15 years in captivity. Breeding: Axolotls reach reproductive maturity after their first year of life. In the wild, axolotls breed once a year between March and June.
Baby axolotls should be fed daily to support their growth and development. Adult axolotls need to eat less often, perhaps one or two servings every other day. In fact, they can do just fine for up to two weeks without eating any food (although this shouldn't be tried at home).
You can gauge whether an axolotl is stressed when it is not eating and when its gills are forward-curled. The best way to avoid this is by fitting a spray bar or flow-spreading outlet.
No, axolotls cannot stay out of the water, like other salamanders. Axolotls are amphibians that do not undergo metamorphosis and stay underwater their entire lives. Like other salamanders, they possess both lungs and gills.
Axolotls are not a social species, so they don't need a friend to be entertained. That being said, it is perfectly ok to house axolotls together, as long as they are roughly the same size.
Axolotls like to live alone, but they need ample space to hide, explore and rest. It is suggested that a tank of around 15-20 gallons will be large enough for an axolotl's lifetime. A secure lid is also a must as these creatures can be crafty.
They don't have a distinct smell if you try to smell them (some owners have done this and will confirm to you that they don't smell).
Humans can touch an Axolotl anytime. There is nothing on their skin that can hurt a human. Keep in mind that before you touch an Axolotl, make sure to wash and disinfect your hands. Try to avoid transferring any type of bacteria or contaminants from human skin to the Axolotl.
If an axolotl is out of water for more than five minutes, it'll begin to take damage and die.
The water depth should be at least 15cm deep and needs to be kept at between 14 and 20°C. If the water gets too cool the axolotl will become sluggish and eat less frequently and if too warm it will become stressed. A standard aquarium heater set at 18°C is ideal for an axolotl tank.
Weaknesses: As they grow gills instead of lungs, axolotls cannot survive outside of water. Their regeneration is rather slow, meaning it'd still be easy to kill an axolotl. As pets, water temperatures outside an acceptable range (16-18 °C) will cause stress, which leads to disease and death.