Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni)

Short answers

Anderson's salamander: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Cold-water aquarium from 200 litres, about 100–120×40×50 cm, for 2–5 animals; fill only to 10 cm below the rim and cover it, as these animals jump.

Anderson's salamander: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 16–20 °C water temperature; permanently above 22 °C becomes dangerous, not even briefly above 24 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 12–17 °C.

Anderson's salamander: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Anderson's salamander: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Anderson's salamander: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

16–20 °C water temperature; permanently above 22 °C becomes dangerous, not even briefly above 24 °C

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

Fully aquatic

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

cold-water aquarium from 200 litres, about 100–120×40×50 cm, for 2–5 animals; fill only to 10 cm below the rim and cover it, as these animals jump

Substrate

Sand, roots, robust plants, water 25–35 cm deep, strong filtration

Feeding

Food

Earthworms, frozen food, axolotl pellets

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–28 cm total length (snout–vent length 10–14 cm), up to 300 g

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Mexico, Michoacán — exclusively Lake Zacapu and its inflows and outflows, at 2000 m altitude; total range only 0.35 km²

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Critically Endangered" – only documented captive-bred animals

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A group of similarly sized animals. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Enough hides so that every animal can get out of the way.

Notes

A neotenic relative of the axolotl with a brownish-red tone. Requirements as for the axolotl: cool, clean, and no gravel chunks (a swallowing risk). Practically extinct in the wild.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
• Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) – Intermediate
• Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) – Intermediate
• Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) – Beginner
• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
• Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
• Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) – Expert
• Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (cold-water aquarium from 200 litres, about 100–120×40×50 cm, for 2–5 animals; fill only to 10 cm below the rim and cover it, as these animals jump), substrate (Sand, roots, robust plants, water 25–35 cm deep, strong filtration), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.