Axolotl Care: Providing the Perfect Home for Pet Amphibians

A single adult axolotl needs at least a 20-gallon aquarium with a wide surface area for optimal oxygen exchange, though a 40-gallon tank would be much better. Many keepers opt for a bare bottom tank or fine sand — never gravel — to avoid impaction when they eat.

Water quality is critical. Use a sponge filter and cycle the tank to establish beneficial bacteria that convert harmful ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate, helping maintain safe water parameters.

Always use a water conditioner to remove chlorine from tap water, and avoid additives with aloe vera, which can damage an axolotl’s gills.

Maintain temperature requirements between 60 and 64°F (16 and 18°C). For warmer climates or summers, aquarium chillers can help.

Avoid bright light and direct sunlight, as axolotls lack eyelids and are sensitive to light.

Juvenile axolotls should be fed frequently — once daily — with high-protein food options like feeder fish, bloodworms, or small pellets. Adult axolotls can be fed every 2 to 3 days.

Axolotls eat by suction and can accidentally ingest substrate, so feeding on a bare bottom or dish is often recommended. Remove uneaten food promptly, as axolotls quickly pollute aquarium water.

Choose treats marked as axolotl-safe foods and avoid fish that may carry diseases.

Axolotls generally prefer calm environments and are solitary creatures. While multiple axolotls of the same size can live together, never pair them with other amphibians, fish, or even other axolotls of a different size, as aggression or health issues can occur.

Provide hiding spots and aquatic plants (either real or artificial) to mimic their wild habitat and reduce stress. Live plants can also improve water conditions and serve as shelter.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.