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Axolotl Care Guide

Everything you need to keep your axolotl healthy, happy, and thriving.

About Axolotls

Axolotls are unique aquatic amphibians known for their feathery gills and ability to regenerate limbs. They remain fully aquatic their entire lives and require specific care to thrive in captivity.

  • Lifespan: 10–15 years
  • Size: 8–12 inches fully grown
  • Temperament: Calm, solitary
  • Difficulty: Beginner-friendly (with proper setup)

Signs of a Healthy Axolotl

✔ Fluffy, full gills
✔ Active (especially at night)
✔ Good appetite
✔ Smooth skin, no lesions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Uncycled tanks
❌ High water temperatures
❌ Strong filter flow
❌ Gravel substrate
❌ Overfeeding

Pro Tips from S&H Aquatics

  • Keep water cool and clean—this is the #1 priority
  • Feed high-quality live or frozen foods for best growth
  • Keep stress low with hides and gentle water flow
  • Stability matters more than perfection

Filtration & Oxygen

  • Use a sponge filter or low-flow filter
  • Avoid strong currents (they stress axolotls)
  • Use an air stone or aerator for oxygen

Substrate (Tank Bottom)

  • Best: Bare bottom or fine sand
  • Avoid: Gravel or small rocks (can cause deadly impaction)

Lighting

  • Low light preferred
  • Avoid bright aquarium lights
  • Provide hiding spots to reduce stress

Tank Setup

Tank Size

  • Minimum: 20 gallons for one axolotl
  • Add 10 gallons per additional axolotl

Water Conditions

  • Temperature: 60–68°F (ideal: ~64°F)
  • pH: 6.5–8.0
  • Ammonia: 0 ppm
  • Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: <20 ppm

⚠️ Axolotls are extremely sensitive to poor water quality—cycling your tank is essential before adding them.

Feeding

Juveniles (under 3 months)

  • Live baby brine shrimp
  • Feed 1–2 times daily

Growing Axolotls

  • Bloodworms
  • Blackworms
  • Small pellets

Adults

  • Earthworms (best staple diet)
  • Axolotl pellets

💡 Remove uneaten food to keep water clean.

Tank Maintenance

  • Weekly: 20–30% water change
  • Always use a water conditioner
  • Test water regularly using a test kit
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