Axolotls tend to be fairly bold and are perfectly content to move about their tank as they're being watched by their humans. Some will come up to the side of their tank when a person is there observing them. However, they aren't particularly social animals and don't require any tank companions.
Axolotls are not a social species, so they don't need a friend to be entertained. That being said, it is perfectly ok to house axolotls together, as long as they are roughly the same size. If one axolotl easily fits into the other's mouth, chances are it will end up as a snack.
Axolotls like to live alone, but they need ample space to hide, explore and rest. It is suggested that a tank of around 15-20 gallons will be large enough for an axolotl's lifetime. A secure lid is also a must as these creatures can be crafty.
Even when obligated to share a tank, axolotls typically do pretty well on their own; in fact, they instead prefer solitude. However, there are some tank mates you may consider for this bottom dweller if the tank looks a little empty.
If you have healthy adult axolotls, you can safely go away for up to 10 days with your axolotls 'unminded' and they would be fine.
Caring for a pet axolotl is complex and requires a great deal of maintenance. Axolotls require an aquatic environment with very specific temperature, water quality and husbandry requirements. Axolotls can live for up to 10 years of age if cared for correctly. Axolotls should be kept in an aquatic environment.
Can you keep axolotls with fish? The answer, surprisingly, is yes — you just need to choose your fish carefully. One thing to keep in mind when keeping fish with axolotls is that those long flowy gills can start to look like food to just about any fish who's hungry enough.
Axolotls and goldfish cannot be kept together as tank mates or in a fish tank. The creatures require different basic living conditions and water parameters, and goldfish could stress and injure the Axolotls by nipping at their tails and gills.
Humans can touch an Axolotl anytime. There is nothing on their skin that can hurt a human. Keep in mind that before you touch an Axolotl, make sure to wash and disinfect your hands. Try to avoid transferring any type of bacteria or contaminants from human skin to the Axolotl.
Axolotls are very curious and appear to recognize their owners as food providers. It is common for these salamanders to actively swim toward people outside their tank. They are surprisingly interactive, but should never be handled as being taken out of the water is extremely stressful.
“They're high maintenance, we wouldn't encourage you to handle them, they need a quiet place, they need space, and they live 10 to 15 years. So in most cases – no, they do not make good companion animals. “In most cases their welfare needs cannot be met in captivity.”
To minimize the risk of axolotls trying to cannibalize each other, they have to be very well fed, have plenty of decorations in their tank to allow them to break line of sight of one another, and they need to be the same size because a larger axolotl will be likely to try and eat the smaller.
Each Axolotl requires a certain amount of space to survive and live. Buy at least a 20-gallon tank for a single axolotl. If you want to keep two axolotls, you must double the size and get a 40-gallon one. That's all you need to extend it by 20 gallons for every additional Axolotl.
Baby axolotls should be fed daily to support their growth and development. Adult axolotls need to eat less often, perhaps one or two servings every other day. In fact, they can do just fine for up to two weeks without eating any food (although this shouldn't be tried at home).
Axolotl Tank Cleaning
You simply need to remove 25% of the aquarium water every 1-2 weeks to make sure that there is no buildup of harmful ammonia and nitrates in your tank. Follow the steps below to keep your aquarium clean and safe for your axolotls.
Lifespan – 10-15 years. Colour and characteristics – several known pigmentation types, including brown, black, albino, grey and pale pink; external gill stalks and a caudal dorsal fin as a result of neoteny.
The only small tank mates that may be well suited for an axolotl are fish that are fast enough to get away from an axolotl. Some great options include neon tetras, guppies, or zebra danios.
Guppies are small bottom feeders that could share a tank with the axolotl. They are generally small and does not have a hard exoskeleton thus they can be swallowed without any problems. Keeping some of them in your tank will help you finish up whatever leftover food your axolotls leave behind.
Housing. To house a single axolotl, they will require a minimum tank size of 60cm in length (standard 2ft tank), and a further 30cm for every axolotl you add to your tank i.e. 90cm for 2 axolotls.
The water depth should be at least 15cm deep and needs to be kept at between 14 and 20°C. If the water gets too cool the axolotl will become sluggish and eat less frequently and if too warm it will become stressed. A standard aquarium heater set at 18°C is ideal for an axolotl tank.
Keep a lid on the aquarium at all times as axolotls can jump out of the water surprisingly well! An external canister style filter typically works best to keep water clean, however, be sure it has an attachment to spread the water outflow, such as a spray bar. Axolotls do not tolerate strong water flow like most fish.
Stay safe. The axolotl has few predators in the wilderness, though they may be taken by storks and herons, as well as large fish (carp and tilapia), on occasion. Their biggest threat is urbanization and pollution of the freshwater lakes and ponds they inhabit.