Axolotl Care Guide: Habitat, Water & Health for a Thriving Pet

Characteristics

Habitat

Habitat size 

Keep an Axolotl in an appropriately sized aquarium. A minimum of 20 gallons, for an adult axolotl, is recommended. The length of the aquarium is more important than height; a 20-gallon long aquarium would be more ideal than 20 gallons high. 

Building your pet’s habitat 

• Water health:  
  • Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health. Slow water circulation should be provided to mimic water currents found in the axolotl’s natural habitat.  
  • Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and water temperature are critical to the health of aquatic life. Axolotls are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so nitrate levels should be maintained at less than 40ppm. If you are unsure of your water quality, bring a sample to Petco for free testing.  
  • Axolotls will tolerate a little freshwater aquarium salt in the aquarium; the specific gravity should not exceed 1.004. Do not allow specific gravity to fluctuate more than 0.001 in either direction in a 24-hour period. 
• Substrate: Axolotls can ingest any that will fit in their mouth. Provide about 1 - 2” of nonabrasive substrate, like sand or a smooth pebble that is larger than their adult mouth. These choices won’t hurt their soft skin.
• Décor: Plants, caves, hollow logs or other safe hiding spaces should be provided to help reduce stress. 

Feeding 

What to feed your axolotls 

Axolotls are voracious carnivores. A well-balanced Axolotl diet consists of high-protein foods, such as:

• Frozen and freeze-dried 
  • Bloodworms
  • Krill
  • Mysis
  • Brine shrimp
• Live food
  • Earthworms 
  • Black worms

Things to remember when feeding your Axolotl: 

• Feed young Axolotls daily; however, their appetite will diminish as adults. At around a year old, they only need to be fed 3-4 times per week. 
• Axolotl typically feed at night.
• Thaw frozen foods before feeding. 

Axolotl care 

• Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your Axolotl healthy. 
  • Daily: Check filter, water temperature and other equipment. 
  • Weekly: Test water quality at least once a week. 
  • Weekly to monthly: Change 10–25% of the total volume of water every 2–4 weeks, or as needed; change filter media monthly. 
• Avoid overcrowded conditions, which are a major cause of stress and disease.  
• Ensure your Axolotl has hiding places in their aquarium.
• Provide an appropriate and varied diet.
• Provide the appropriate level of lighting. Since axolotls are nocturnal, too bright of lighting can cause stress.

Where to buy an Axolotl

Various Axolotls are available at select Petco locations and Petco.com, however, Axolotls are not able to be kept pets in certain locales. Offerings vary by location, so call ahead to check availability.  

Axolotl supplies  

• Appropriate size aquarium 
• Appropriate food (dry and frozen) 
• Hiding décor 
• Live plants 
• Artificial plants 
• Water conditioner 
• Filter 
• Water test kit 
• Hood 
• Aquarium net 
• Thermometer 
• Freshwater substrate 
• Refractometer 
• Freshwater salt 
• Air stone 
• Air pump 
• Airline tubing 
• Check valve 

Aquarium mates 

Axolotls can be kept together if they are similar in size, in an appropriately sized aquarium. Axolotls may live with larger nonaggressive species that will not pick at their delicate gills, but they may try to eat any fish that fit in their mouth. 

Health 

Signs of a healthy Axolotl 

• Clear eyes 
• Remains on the bottom of the aquarium 
• Out in the open, no excessive hiding
• Eats vigorously 
• Smooth coloration 
• Free of parasites or disease 

Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your local aquatic specialist or veterinarian.) 

• Loss of color 
• Loss of appetite 
• Spots or fungus on body or mouth
• Red streaks or patches 
• Open sores 
• Cloudy eyes 
• Labored breathing 
• Weight loss 
• Bloating