Axolotls thrive in a 40 gallon aquarium, and we don't recommend anything less. Although an axolotl can survive in a 30 gallon aquarium, it requires 2+ 50% water changes per week to prevent water parameters from becoming toxic. Additionally, the footprint of the aquarium must be at least 4 square feet, to give ample room for them to enjoy. When cohabitating axolotls, the minimum gallonage can be reduced to an additional 30 gallons per axolotl, so long as there remains plenty of floor space.
When it comes to water parameters, axolotls have similar needs to freshwater fish. They require harder water, to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD) and other conditions that are common in herptiles.
Make sure your aquarium has been cycled! If you haven't cycled your aquarium with an ammonia source to build a beneficial bacteria colony, you'll need to tub your axolotl immediately. Step over to our Quick Start Guide for the next steps!
The topic of cohabitating an axolotl with other animals is a difficult one, as oftentimes the benefits of cohabitation don't outweigh the risks. Below will be a list of common tankmates, and the potential dangers associated with each.
Fish are particularly risky to cohabitate with axolotls. Fish often contain thiaminase, which is an enzyme which blocks vitamin B1 function. Additionally, fish bones can often become lodged in the throat or stomach, causing a life-threatening emergency. This means a hungry or especially fast axolotl may end up very sick if they manage to consume a fish.
Fish also pose a threat to less active axolotls. To a fish's poor eyesight, gill filaments look exactly like tiny worms, which would mean a tasty snack for them.
Algae eaters are a similar choking hazard as fish, however they are particularly dangerous as they may attach themselves to an axolotl's slime coat to feed, causing painful open sores. Snails are even worse, as they are easily swallowed, and the snails that are too large to be swallowed by an axolotl often have 'trapdoors' which may sever an axolotl's limb.
Shrimp are a very minimal risk to axolotls, though as anything else, an axolotl will attempt to eat the shrimp. This isn't anything to worry about, though the shrimp likely have other opinions.
Cohabitating axolotls together is tricky because it's very doable, but never without danger. Make sure the axolotls are the same size and sex, to reduce the risk of cannibalism and prevent females from being bred to death.
Axolotls will nip when hungry, and although this is not due to aggression (just inability to see), it can still cause significant injury to any tankmates.
Axolotls thrive on earthworms! Nightcrawlers, red wigglers, dendrobaena, bait worms, whatever they're called where you're from.
Ensure that the worms have not been dyed or sourced from the wild. Wild caught worms may transmit diseases to your axolotl.
Bloodworms, pellets, salmon, neocaridina shrimp, and Repashy Grub Pie are all excellent supplemental foods, but they are not a replacement for a proper diet of earthworms.
There are currently no appropriate dietary replacements on the market for axolotls. Axolotls require a calcium phosphorus ratio of 2:1, higher than humans. AXO has only been able to confirm that earthworms and Repashy Grub Pie contain the appropriate levels of calcium and protein.
It is required that their diet be at least 40% crude protein.
Axolotls do not have digestive systems made to process mammal/land animal meat, and the high fat content of most chicken, pork, and beef products make them dangerous to feed in any amounts.
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