🩷 Axolotl Care Guide

Axolotls are fascinating fully aquatic amphibians famous for their feathery external gills and unusual appearance. They come in several colours, including pink/leucistic, albino, copper and wild/natural types.

Although they can make fantastic pets, Axolotls have very specific requirements when it comes to water quality and temperature.

With the correct care, an Axolotl can live for around 10–15 years, sometimes longer.

This guide covers the basics you need to keep your Axolotl happy and healthy.

♂️♀️ How to Tell the Sex

Sexing an Axolotl can be difficult when they are young. The differences usually become much clearer once the Axolotl reaches sexual maturity.

🦎 Males

Mature males generally have:

• A noticeably enlarged and swollen cloaca behind the back legs
• A slimmer, more streamlined body
• A slightly longer-looking body and tail in some individuals
• A less rounded abdomen than mature females

🦎 Females

Mature females generally have:

• A much smaller and less pronounced cloaca
• A broader, rounder body
• A noticeably fuller abdomen, particularly when carrying eggs
• A generally wider appearance when viewed from above

🔍 Check the Cloaca

The cloaca is usually the best way to distinguish a mature male from a female Axolotl.

Males develop a noticeably swollen cloacal area behind the back legs.

Females generally have a much smaller, flatter cloacal area and usually develop a broader, rounder body.

⚠️ Young Axolotls

Young Axolotls can be extremely difficult to sex accurately.

Sexual characteristics develop as they mature, so body shape or size alone should not be used to determine the sex of a juvenile.

⚠️ Sexing Disclaimer

Please note that Roxy’s Pet Shop is unable to guarantee the sex of any livestock.

Where we provide a suggested sex, this is based on the animal’s visible characteristics, age and our experience at the time. Some animals can be particularly difficult to sex when young.

Any sex stated should therefore be treated as our best assessment and not a guarantee.

🏠 Tank Size

Axolotls spend their entire lives underwater and require a properly established aquarium.

For one adult Axolotl, we recommend a tank of at least around 60–90 litres, with a floor length of around 60cm or more. Larger is always preferable, particularly if keeping more than one.

Floor space is more important than having an extremely tall tank.

The tank should include:

• Suitable filtration

• Fully cycled water

• Suitable substrate or bare bottom

• Hides

• Plants and cover

• Digital thermometer

• Dechlorinated water

• Low water flow

• Plenty of floor space

Your aquarium should be fully set up and cycled before bringing your Axolotl home.

🔄 VERY IMPORTANT – Cycling Your Tank

An Axolotl should not simply be placed into a brand-new aquarium filled with tap water.

Before adding your Axolotl, the aquarium needs to establish beneficial bacteria. This process is known as cycling.

Axolotls produce waste containing ammonia, which is toxic.

Beneficial bacteria convert:

Ammonia → Nitrite → Nitrate

Both ammonia and nitrite are dangerous, while nitrate is less toxic and is controlled through regular water changes.

A properly cycled aquarium should be capable of maintaining:

• Ammonia: 0 ppm

• Nitrite: 0 ppm

• Nitrate: ideally below 20 ppm

If you're unsure how to cycle your aquarium, please ask us at Roxy's Pet Shop before taking your Axolotl home.

💧 Water Quality

Good water quality is probably the single most important part of Axolotl care.

Use a liquid aquarium test kit to regularly monitor:

• Ammonia

• Nitrite

• Nitrate

• pH

Axolotls generally do well with a stable pH of approximately 6.5–8.0, with around 7.4–7.6 being a good target.

Stability is more important than constantly trying to alter the pH.

Never use untreated tap water.

Tap water should always be treated with a suitable aquarium water conditioner/dechlorinator before it enters the Axolotl's tank.

🌡️ Temperature

Axolotls are cold-water animals.

Aim to keep the water around:

🌡️ 16–18°C

Temperatures should ideally remain below 20°C.

Prolonged temperatures above approximately 20–22°C can cause stress and increase the risk of health problems.

A reliable aquarium thermometer should always be used.

☀️ Keeping the Tank Cool

During hot weather, keeping an Axolotl tank cool can become challenging.

Useful options can include:

• Keeping the aquarium away from direct sunlight

• Keeping it away from radiators

• Using aquarium cooling fans

• Increasing safe airflow across the water surface

• Using an aquarium chiller where necessary

An aquarium chiller is the most reliable option where room temperatures regularly become too high.

Don't rely on repeatedly adding large amounts of ice directly to the aquarium, as sudden temperature changes can cause additional stress.

🌊 Filtration & Water Flow

Axolotls need good filtration, but they generally dislike strong currents.

Suitable filters can include:

• Sponge filters

• Internal filters with controlled flow

• External filters with appropriately reduced/diffused flow

If your Axolotl is constantly being pushed around the tank or its gills are being blown strongly by the current, the flow may be too powerful.

Plants, spray bars and other suitable methods can help diffuse the filter output.

Never switch the filter off permanently simply because the flow is too strong. The filter is an important part of the biological cycle.

🪨 Substrate

Substrate choice is extremely important because Axolotls may accidentally swallow material while feeding.

Suitable options include:

• Bare-bottom tank

• Very fine aquarium sand for suitably sized/older Axolotls

• Large, smooth stones that are far too big to swallow

❌ Avoid Small Gravel

Small gravel and stones that can fit inside the Axolotl's mouth should not be used.

Axolotls can accidentally swallow gravel while eating.

This can cause an intestinal blockage known as impaction, which can become a serious medical emergency.

Young Axolotls are often best kept on a bare-bottom setup until they are large enough for an appropriate fine-sand substrate.

🏚️ Hides

Axolotls don't have eyelids and generally prefer relatively dim environments.

Provide several places where your Axolotl can retreat from the light.

Suitable hides can include:

• Axolotl-safe caves

• Smooth pipes

• Suitable aquarium ornaments

• Plants

• Other smooth aquatic hides

Check decorations carefully.

Avoid anything with sharp or rough edges, as Axolotls have delicate skin and gills.

🌿 Plants & Enrichment

Axolotls benefit from an interesting environment.

Suitable enrichment can include:

• Live aquatic plants

• Silk plants

• Caves

• Tunnels

• Smooth rocks

• Different hiding areas

Plants can provide excellent cover and shade.

Remember that Axolotls can be clumsy and may uproot delicate plants!

💡 Lighting

Axolotls don't require bright aquarium lighting.

They naturally prefer relatively dim conditions and have no eyelids.

If using aquarium lights for plants or viewing, provide plenty of shaded areas and hides.

Avoid leaving bright lighting on for excessive periods.

A normal day/night cycle should be maintained.

🍽️ Feeding Your Axolotl

Axolotls are carnivorous.

A good staple diet can include:

• Earthworms/nightcrawlers

• Quality Axolotl pellets

• Suitable frozen foods

• Other appropriate aquatic carnivore foods

Earthworms are one of the best staple foods for adult Axolotls.

Frozen bloodworm can be useful, particularly for younger animals, but should not normally be the sole long-term diet for an adult Axolotl.

⏰ How Often Should I Feed?

Feeding frequency depends on age and size.

As a general guide:

Young Axolotls:
🍽️ Feed daily or almost daily, depending on size and condition.

Growing juveniles:
🍽️ Approximately once daily or every other day, depending on size.

Adults:
🍽️ Approximately 2–3 times per week.

Watch your Axolotl's body condition rather than simply feeding as much as it will eat.

Remove uneaten food promptly so it doesn't pollute the water.

🪱 How Much Should I Feed?

Offer an appropriate amount that your Axolotl can comfortably consume.

The abdomen should generally be around a similar width to the head when viewed from above.

An Axolotl that becomes excessively round may be overfed.

Young growing animals naturally require more frequent feeding than adults.

If you're unsure what or how much to feed, ask us at Roxy's Pet Shop.

🧹 Cleaning & Water Changes

Even with a good filter, regular maintenance is essential.

Every day:

• Check your Axolotl

• Check the water temperature

• Remove uneaten food

• Remove visible waste

Every week:

• Test the water

• Carry out an appropriate partial water change

• Clean dirty areas

• Check filter operation

A typical established aquarium may require around a 20–30% water change each week, although the correct amount depends on your test results and stocking.

Always use temperature-matched, dechlorinated water.

Never completely strip-clean a healthy established aquarium unless there is a specific reason.

🧽 Cleaning the Filter

The beneficial bacteria that keep your aquarium cycled live primarily on surfaces, including the filter media.

Do not routinely wash biological filter media under untreated tap water, as chlorine/chloramine can damage beneficial bacteria.

When necessary, gently clean filter media using removed aquarium water or follow the manufacturer's appropriate maintenance instructions.

Don't replace all biological filter media at the same time unless absolutely necessary.

🦎 Handling

Axolotls are not handling pets.

Their skin and external gills are delicate, and handling can damage their protective slime coat and cause stress.

Avoid handling your Axolotl unless absolutely necessary.

If you need to move one, using a suitable container is often safer than lifting it in your hands.

Never take your Axolotl out of the water simply to show or hold it.

🫧 Gills

Healthy Axolotls have distinctive feathery external gills.

Gill appearance can vary depending on:

• Genetics

• Activity

• Water conditions

• Blood flow

• Stress

• Temperature

Gill filaments can become more colourful when the animal is active.

However, persistent deterioration, shrinking gills or unusual appearance should prompt you to check your water quality and temperature immediately.

🩷 Regeneration

Axolotls are famous for their remarkable ability to regenerate certain damaged tissues and limbs.

However, this does not mean injuries are harmless.

Poor water quality, infection and serious injuries can still cause major health problems.

Prevention is always better than relying on the animal's ability to regenerate.

🐟 Can Axolotls Live With Fish?

We generally recommend keeping Axolotls in a species-only aquarium.

Fish can:

• Nip at an Axolotl's gills

• Stress the Axolotl

• Compete for food

• Introduce disease or parasites

• Be swallowed by the Axolotl

Some fish may also have different temperature and water requirements.

The safest option is usually an appropriately set-up Axolotl-only aquarium.

🦎 Can Axolotls Live Together?

Axolotls can sometimes be kept together when they are:

• Similar in size

• Healthy

• Provided with sufficient space

• Given plenty of hides

• Fed appropriately

However, there is always a risk of accidental biting, particularly during feeding.

Young Axolotls can be especially prone to nipping limbs and gills.

Never keep a very small Axolotl with a significantly larger one.

If aggression or repeated injuries occur, separate the animals.

🩺 Health

A healthy Axolotl should generally:

• Have a good appetite

• Maintain a healthy body condition

• Have clear skin

• Have intact gills

• Respond normally to food and movement

• Spend time resting and exploring

• Show no obvious wounds or fungal growth

Learn what is normal for your individual Axolotl.

⚠️ Signs to Watch For

Contact an exotics/amphibian-experienced vet if you notice:

• Persistent refusal to eat

• Significant weight loss

• Persistent floating or difficulty staying submerged

• Severe bloating

• Open wounds

• Unusual swelling

• Significant gill deterioration

• White cotton-like growths

• Red or inflamed skin

• Abnormal body posture

• Persistent curled gill stalks or tail tip alongside other signs of stress

• Repeated vomiting/regurgitation

• Severe lethargy

Whenever an Axolotl appears unwell, immediately check:

Temperature, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.

Many Axolotl health problems are associated with inappropriate water conditions.

⚖️ Monitoring Growth & Weight

Young Axolotls can grow surprisingly quickly.

Monitor your animal's body condition and adjust feeding as it develops.

If your Axolotl is rapidly losing weight despite eating, or stops growing and appears unwell, investigate the cause rather than simply increasing the amount of food.

🦠 Hygiene & Salmonella

Like other amphibians, Axolotls can carry bacteria such as Salmonella without appearing ill.

Always:

• Wash your hands after aquarium maintenance

• Keep aquarium equipment away from food preparation areas

• Supervise children's hygiene

• Don't put aquarium equipment into your mouth

• Clean spills appropriately

Children should always be supervised around the aquarium.

🏡 Bringing Your New Axolotl Home

Before collecting your Axolotl, the aquarium should already be:

• Fully set up

• Properly cycled

• At the correct temperature

• Testing 0 ammonia

• Testing 0 nitrite

• Showing controlled nitrate

• Running with suitable low-flow filtration

• Treated with dechlorinator where required

When you bring your Axolotl home, it should be properly acclimated to the aquarium water rather than simply being tipped straight into the tank.

Keep the environment quiet and dim while it settles.

Don't be concerned if your Axolotl is initially less active or doesn't immediately eat after moving home.

🚨 If Your Tank Isn't Cycled

If you already have an Axolotl but discover that the aquarium isn't properly cycled, don't ignore it.

Test the water immediately and seek experienced advice.

Ammonia and nitrite can cause serious harm.

At Roxy's Pet Shop, we'd much rather you contact us and ask for help than struggle with water quality on your own.

👨👩👧 Is an Axolotl Right for You?

Axolotls can make fascinating pets, but they aren't maintenance-free.

Before buying one, remember that they:

• Can live for 10–15 years or longer

• Need a fully cycled aquarium

• Require excellent water quality

• Need cool water

• May require additional cooling during summer

• Need regular water testing

• Require regular partial water changes

• Are not handling pets

• Need an appropriate carnivorous diet

• May require specialist veterinary treatment

If you're prepared to maintain their aquarium correctly, Axolotls can be fascinating animals to keep.

❤️ The Most Important Things to Remember

A healthy Axolotl needs cool, clean and fully cycled water, suitable filtration, low water flow, appropriate food, safe substrate, plenty of hides and regular water testing.

The three things we particularly want every new owner to remember are:

🌡️ Keep them cool.
💧 Keep their water clean.
🔄 Cycle the aquarium BEFORE adding the Axolotl.

Get those fundamentals right and you're giving your Axolotl the best possible start.

🩷 Roxy's Pet Shop

Need help with your Axolotl?

Whether you're choosing a tank, filter, water conditioner, test kit, substrate, food or simply need help understanding how to cycle your aquarium, please ask us. No question is too small or silly – we'd much rather you ask.

Please have your aquarium fully set up and cycled before collecting your Axolotl.

Roxy's Pet Shop
Bloxwich High Street, WS3 3LA
☎️ 01922 492521
🌐 roxyspetshop.co.uk

This care guide provides general husbandry information and does not replace veterinary advice. If you are concerned about your Axolotl's health, contact a qualified exotics/amphibian-experienced veterinary professional.