Axolotl Care Guide

Basics

Water parameters should stay in the following range. Please see our How To Cycle Your Tank page for more details.
- Ammonia: 0ppm
- Nitrite: 0ppm
- Nitrate: Ideally 20ppm or less, Tolerates up to 40ppm
- pH: 7.0 - 8.2ppm
Temperature: Prefers 60-65ºF (15-18ºC), Tolerates 50-68ºF (10-20ºC)
Tank Size:
- My Favorite: 40 gallon breeder - fits 1 large adult comfortably and big enough for 2 or 3 total depending on size
- Recommended Minimum: 29 gallon or 30 gallon breeder - fits 1 adult, possibly 2 smaller adults
- Absolute Bare Minimum: 20 gallon long - fits 1 axolotl but an adult may outgrow this size
Substrate: Bare bottom or tile until at least 5 inches. Once 5 inches, *fine* sand can be used. Absolutely NO gravel, pebbles, small rocks, etc. If accidentally ingested, these can cause a blockage in the axolotl's digestive system.
Lighting: Axolotls prefer low lighting. If buying an aquarium light, make sure it has dimming features.
Decor: Avoid any sharp decorations or hides. If needed, you can sand down sharp edges on the inside of hides. Axolotls like to hide and climb. Make sure to provide hides/caves for hiding. Axolotls are known to enjoy climbing onto reptile hammocks and to hang off of taller decorations. Soft silicone plants are a great option.
Plants: Any freshwater plant that can tolerate low temperatures and low lighting such as anubias, java moss, java fern, hornwort, pennywort. Treat plants for snails or avoid the need to by buying tissue culture plants!
Tank Mates: Axolotls are best kept with other same-sex axolotls. The only acceptable tankmates are small shrimp, endlers, and guppies, which can all be eaten as snacks by axolotls and do not pose any threat to the axolotl.

Food

This is a *guideline* for feeding. Especially in adulthood, some axolotls may eat more than others. Adult females may refuse food while gravid (holding unfertilized eggs) for several days. Axolotls can go on "hunger strikes". Hunger strikes can be due to simply not liking the food being offered or it can be a sign of illness. Always check water parameters if your axolotl exhibits any issues eating. Axolotls can survive many days without eating. Seek medical advice if the axolotl begins visibly losing weight.

0-3 months old
- baby brine shrimp
- daphnia
3-5 months old - feed 2-3 times a day
- blackworms
- white worms
- small pieces of earthworms
- pellets (2x the length of the axolotl)
- Repashy Grub Pie
- bloodworms (should not be main diet)
6-18 months old - feed 1-2 times a day, eating may start slowing down
- earthworms (1-2 per feeding depending on worm size)
- pellets (2x the length of the axolotl)
- Repashy Grub Pie
Adults - feed once a day or once every other day
- earthworms (1-2 per feeding depending on worm size)
- pellets (2x the length of the axolotl)
- Repashy Grub Pie

Blackworms

There is currently a blackworm shortage that has made them harder to find and more expensive. The current supplier is Eastern Aquatics and you can purchase from their website. Typically, blackworms are the best food for 3-5 month olds, but we have to be more creative for those that cannot afford to purchase them online and cannot find them at a local fish store. I suggest trying to feed small pieces of earthworm, white worms, pellets, or alternating meals of frozen bloodworms and pellets. Frozen bloodworms alone are not very nutritious but can be helpful when you don't have time to feed pellets individually.

Earthworms

Red Wigglers
- Size: Small
- Pros: Easy to find in stores
- Cons: Bitter coating that some axolotls do not like. Can be rinsed, blanched, or soaked in garlic.
European Nightcrawlers (my favorite)
- Size: Medium
- Pros: No bitter coating and nice size
- Cons: Can be harder to find in stores
Canadian Nightcrawlers
- Size: Large
- Pros: Easy to find in stores
- Cons: May be too big for some axolotls.

Pellets

Rangen Pellets aka Invertaquatics Axolotl Pellets
Hikari Carnivore Sinking Pellets
Omega One Newt & Salamander Pellets (very small, appropriate for juveniles around 3 inches/3 months old)