Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Short answers

Axolotl: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Aquarium from 100×40×40 cm (~160 l) for 2 animals, around 50 l more for each additional animal.

Axolotl: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 15–20 °C (water).

Axolotl: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No.

Axolotl: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Axolotl: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

15–20 °C (water)

Night temperature

—

Basking spot

—

Humidity

— (aquarium)

UVB

No

Enclosure

Minimum size

aquarium from 100×40×40 cm (~160 l) for 2 animals, around 50 l more for each additional animal

Substrate

Fine sand or bare — NO gravel (risk of ingestion)

Feeding

Food

Worm food, pellets, insect larvae

Feeding interval

Adults 2–3× a week

Key facts

Adult size

23–30 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Mexico (Xochimilco)

Protection status

Annex B (extinct in the wild)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A group is possible (similarly sized animals), no fish. 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

Fully aquatic, keep it COOL (above ~22°C causes chronic stress). Good filtration, little current. Water temperature is the critical factor: 22°C is the upper limit even briefly, and above 24°C it becomes life-threatening. In an ordinary home without cooling, this is the most common cause of death in high summer.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

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• 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 Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (aquarium from 100×40×40 cm (~160 l) for 2 animals, around 50 l more for each additional animal), substrate (Fine sand or bare — NO gravel (risk of ingestion)), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.