Growing Axolotls – The Ultimate Guide To Thriving Aquatic Companions

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever gazed into an aquarium and been captivated by the enigmatic smile of an axolotl? You’re not alone! These unique amphibians, often called “walking fish,” are truly fascinating creatures that bring a touch of the extraordinary to any home. If you’ve been dreaming of welcoming one into your life, you’re likely wondering about the best way to ensure they thrive.

You want to give your new aquatic friend the best possible start, and perhaps you’re a little intimidated by their unique needs. Don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place! We understand that taking on a new pet, especially one as special as an axolotl, can feel like a big responsibility.

At Aquifarm, we’re here to promise you that with the right knowledge and a little dedication, successfully growing axolotls can be an incredibly rewarding experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from setting up their perfect habitat to mastering their diet and tackling common challenges.

By the time you finish reading, you’ll be equipped with all the essential knowledge and expert tips to ensure your axolotls not only survive but truly flourish. Let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to raising happy, healthy axolotls!

Understanding Your Axolotl: The Basics of These Unique Amphibians

Before we get into the practicalities of growing axolotls, it’s important to understand just what makes these creatures so special. Knowing their natural history and biology helps us create the best possible environment for them.

What Makes Axolotls So Special?

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are a type of salamander native to a few lakes near Mexico City. What sets them apart is their remarkable ability to retain their larval features throughout their entire lives, a phenomenon called neoteny.

This means they keep their feathery gills and remain fully aquatic, never undergoing metamorphosis into a terrestrial form like most other salamanders. They also possess incredible regenerative capabilities, able to regrow limbs, jaws, spinal cords, and even parts of their brains!

Axolotl Lifespan and Growth Stages

With proper care, axolotls can live for an impressive 10-15 years, sometimes even longer. They grow from tiny hatchlings, often just half an inch long, into adults reaching 8-12 inches in length. The initial growth phase is rapid, especially in the first 6-12 months.

This rapid growth period is crucial, and it’s where our focus on growing axolotls tips truly comes into play. Providing optimal conditions during this time sets them up for a long, healthy life.

Setting Up the Perfect Home for Growing Axolotls: Tank Essentials

Creating the right habitat is the single most important step in growing axolotls successfully. A well-prepared tank minimizes stress and prevents many common health issues.

Tank Size and Setup

For a single adult axolotl, a 20-gallon long aquarium is the absolute minimum. A 29-gallon or even a 40-gallon breeder tank is even better, especially if you plan on housing more than one. Remember, longer is better than taller, as axolotls primarily use the bottom surface area.

When starting with juveniles, you might use a smaller tank initially, but be prepared to upgrade quickly as they grow. This foresight is a key part of growing axolotls best practices.

Filtration: Keeping Water Pristine

Axolotls are messy eaters and produce a fair amount of waste, so robust filtration is essential. However, they prefer very still water. A hang-on-back (HOB) filter with a spray bar or baffle to diffuse the outflow is ideal.

Sponge filters are also an excellent choice, as they provide gentle filtration and are safe for even the smallest axolotls. Just make sure it’s appropriately sized for your tank. Regular water changes, in addition to filtration, are non-negotiable.

Substrate and Decor: Safety First

This is a critical consideration for how to growing axolotls safely. Axolotls have a habit of accidentally ingesting anything small enough to fit in their mouths, which can lead to impaction.

Therefore, your substrate options are limited:

  • Bare Bottom: Easiest to clean, but can make axolotls feel exposed.
  • Fine Sand: Only use sand specifically designed for aquariums, with a grain size smaller than 1mm. Axolotls can pass this through their digestive system.
  • Large River Rocks/Slate: Any rocks must be significantly larger than your axolotl’s head to prevent accidental ingestion.

Avoid gravel entirely. For decor, provide plenty of hiding spots like caves, PVC pipes, or densely planted areas. Live plants (like Anubias, Java Fern, or Hornwort) are excellent for water quality and enrichment.

Lighting Considerations

Axolotls prefer dim conditions and can be stressed by bright light. If you must have a light for plants, ensure it’s low wattage and provide ample shaded areas. Many keepers opt for no artificial lighting at all, relying on ambient room light.

Water Parameters: The Key to Healthy Growing Axolotls

Maintaining pristine and stable water conditions is paramount for the health and longevity of your axolotl. This section is a crucial part of any comprehensive growing axolotls care guide.

Temperature: Keeping It Cool

Axolotls are cold-water creatures. Their ideal temperature range is between 60-68°F (16-20°C). Temperatures above 72°F (22°C) can cause severe stress, leading to illness and even death.

If your home gets warm, you’ll need a cooling solution. This could be a fan blowing across the water surface, frozen water bottles rotated throughout the day, or, for serious enthusiasts, an aquarium chiller.

pH and Hardness: Finding the Balance

Axolotls prefer slightly alkaline water with a pH between 6.5 and 8.0, with 7.4-7.6 often cited as ideal. Water hardness (GH and KH) should be moderate. Test your tap water regularly, as parameters can fluctuate.

Sudden changes in pH or hardness can be very detrimental. Aim for stability over chasing specific numbers within the acceptable range.

Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: The Nitrogen Cycle

Understanding the nitrogen cycle is fundamental. Ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic to axolotls and must be zero. Nitrates, while less toxic, should be kept below 20 ppm (parts per million).

To achieve this:

  1. Cycle Your Tank: Before adding your axolotl, ensure your tank is fully cycled. This establishes beneficial bacteria that convert toxic ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate.
  2. Regular Water Changes: Perform 25-50% water changes weekly to dilute nitrates and replenish essential minerals. Always use a dechlorinator.

Essential Water Testing

You absolutely need a reliable liquid-based test kit (like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit) to monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Test your water regularly, especially during the initial setup and if your axolotl shows any signs of distress.

Don’t rely on test strips, as they are often inaccurate. Consistent monitoring is one of the best growing axolotls tips you’ll ever receive.

Fueling Growth: A Comprehensive Axolotl Diet

A nutritious diet is paramount for the healthy development and vibrant appearance of your axolotl. Let’s explore how to growing axolotls through proper feeding.

What to Feed Your Axolotl

Axolotls are carnivores. Their diet should consist primarily of high-quality protein. Here are the best options:

  • Earthworms: Hands down, the best staple diet. They are nutritionally complete and easy for axolotls to digest. Canadian Nightcrawlers or European Nightcrawlers are excellent choices.
  • Pellets: High-quality sinking salmon or carnivore pellets formulated for aquatic amphibians can be a good supplement, but shouldn’t be the sole diet.
  • Brine Shrimp/Daphnia: Excellent for very young axolotls (hatchlings/juveniles).
  • Bloodworms: Can be offered as an occasional treat but are not nutritionally dense enough for a staple diet for adults.

Avoid feeder fish, as they can carry diseases and parasites, and their bones can cause impaction. Also, avoid mammal meats like chicken or beef, as they are too fatty and difficult for axolotls to digest.

Feeding Frequency and Portions

This varies with age:

  • Hatchlings/Juveniles (up to 3-4 inches): Feed daily, sometimes twice a day, small portions of brine shrimp, daphnia, or finely chopped earthworms. They are rapidly growing axolotls and need constant fuel.
  • Sub-adults (4-8 inches): Feed every other day, 2-3 small earthworms or equivalent.
  • Adults (8+ inches): Feed 2-3 times a week, 1-2 full-sized earthworms each feeding.

Observe your axolotl’s girth. They should have a belly roughly the same width as their head. If it’s much wider, you might be overfeeding.

Avoiding Overfeeding

Overfeeding is a common mistake. It not only leads to excessive waste, which fouls the water, but can also cause health issues for your axolotl, including obesity and digestive problems. Always remove any uneaten food promptly to maintain water quality.

Common Problems with Growing Axolotls and How to Solve Them

Even with the best care, sometimes issues arise. Knowing how to identify and address common problems is vital for responsible axolotl ownership. This section focuses on typical challenges when growing axolotls.

Stress Signs and Solutions

An axolotl under stress might display several signs:

  • Curled Gill Tips: Often indicates poor water quality or high flow.
  • Forward-Curled Tail Tip: Another sign of stress.
  • Loss of Appetite: Can be due to stress, illness, or poor water parameters.
  • Fading Gills: Can indicate poor oxygenation or stress.

Solution: The first step is always to check your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, temperature). Perform a partial water change. Reduce water flow if it’s too strong. Ensure they have adequate hiding spots.

Fungal Infections and Slime Coat Issues

Fungal infections often appear as white, cottony patches on the gills or body. They usually occur in stressed axolotls or those in poor water conditions.

Solution: Improve water quality immediately. For mild cases, a “fridge treatment” (placing the axolotl in a container of cool, dechlorinated water in the fridge for a few days, with daily water changes) can help. For more severe cases, a veterinarian may prescribe antifungal medication or a salt bath treatment (use non-iodized salt, carefully dosed).

Gill Problems and Ammonia Burn

Damaged or shrunken gills can be a sign of poor water quality, especially high ammonia or nitrite. Ammonia burn can cause red, inflamed gills or sores on the skin.

Solution: Immediate large water changes are crucial. If ammonia or nitrite is present, perform 50% daily water changes until levels are zero. If severe, a “tubbing” protocol (placing the axolotl in a clean container with daily 100% dechlorinated water changes) may be necessary while you fix the main tank issues.

Recognizing and Preventing Impaction

Impaction occurs when an axolotl ingests something it cannot digest or pass, such as gravel or large pieces of food. Signs include bloating, refusal to eat, and lethargy.

Prevention: Use only safe substrates (fine sand or bare bottom) or very large rocks. Ensure food items are appropriately sized.

Solution: If you suspect impaction, place the axolotl in cool water (fridge treatment can help slow metabolism and encourage passage). A veterinarian should be consulted for severe cases.

Sustainable Growing Axolotls: Ethical Considerations

As responsible aquarists, we have a role to play in the ethical care and conservation of these incredible creatures. Adhering to sustainable growing axolotls practices ensures their well-being and helps the species.

Sourcing Your Axolotl Responsibly

Wild axolotl populations are critically endangered, largely due to habitat loss and pollution. It is illegal and unethical to take axolotls from the wild. Always purchase your axolotl from a reputable breeder or ethical pet store that can verify their source as captive-bred.

Ask questions about their breeding practices and the health of their stock. This commitment to ethical sourcing is a core tenet of eco-friendly growing axolotls.

Long-Term Commitment and Planning

Remember that an axolotl is a long-term commitment, potentially living for over a decade. Before bringing one home, ensure you can provide stable, appropriate care for its entire lifespan.

Consider future changes in your living situation, financial stability, and ability to provide consistent care, especially regarding temperature control. Planning ahead prevents many common problems.

Advanced Growing Axolotls Tips for Enthusiasts

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might be looking for ways to further enrich your axolotl’s life. These growing axolotls tips go beyond the essentials.

Enrichment and Mental Stimulation

While axolotls aren’t known for complex behaviors, they do benefit from enrichment. Providing varied decor, different types of hiding spots, and live plants allows them to explore and feel secure. You can occasionally rearrange decor to offer new “territories” to investigate.

Some axolotls even seem to enjoy gentle interaction, like having a hand placed near the glass. Observe your axolotl’s personality and respond to its cues.

Breeding Considerations

While this guide focuses on *growing* axolotls, some enthusiasts eventually become interested in breeding. Be aware that breeding axolotls requires significant dedication, space for hundreds of tiny offspring, and a plan for rehoming them responsibly.

It’s not something to undertake lightly. If you are considering it, research extensively and ensure you have the resources to care for potentially hundreds of fry. This is a journey for experienced aquarists only.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Axolotls

Can axolotls live with other fish?

Generally, no. Axolotls are predatory and will attempt to eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. Conversely, larger fish may nip at an axolotl’s delicate gills, causing stress and injury. It’s best to keep axolotls in a species-only tank or with other axolotls of similar size.

How often should I clean my axolotl tank?

You should perform a 25-50% water change weekly, and siphon any uneaten food or waste from the bottom daily. Filter media should be rinsed in old tank water (never tap water!) every 2-4 weeks, or when flow diminishes, to preserve beneficial bacteria. A deep clean of the tank is rarely needed if regular maintenance is performed.

Do axolotls need a heater or a chiller?

Axolotls need cool water, so they generally do not need a heater. In fact, many owners need a *chiller* or other cooling methods to keep the water temperature within their ideal range of 60-68°F (16-20°C), especially in warmer climates or during summer months.

Why are my axolotl’s gills curling forward?

Forward-curled gills are a common sign of stress. The most frequent causes are poor water quality (high ammonia/nitrite, high nitrates), incorrect temperature (too warm), or excessive water flow. Immediately test your water parameters and address any issues. Reduce filter flow if it’s too strong.

How big do axolotls get?

Most adult axolotls grow to be 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long, though some can reach up to 14 inches. Their growth rate is influenced by diet, water quality, and genetics.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey of growing axolotls is a truly unique and fulfilling experience. These incredible aquatic companions offer a glimpse into a world of biological wonder, and with the right care, they can bring joy to your home for many years.

Remember, the foundation of a happy, healthy axolotl lies in a meticulously maintained environment: cool, clean water, a safe and stimulating habitat, and a nutritious diet. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, observe your axolotl closely, and learn from every interaction. Every aquarist, no matter how experienced, started somewhere.

By following the comprehensive advice in this growing axolotls guide, you’re not just keeping a pet; you’re nurturing a living piece of natural history. You’ve got this! Go forth and grow your amazing aquatic companions with confidence and care!

Howard Parker
Latest posts by Howard Parker (see all)