7 Things to Know Before Getting an Axolotl

You saw that smile and those frilly gills, right? We did too.

Axolotls are mesmerizing, but they are not set-and-forget pets.

Here are the seven things that actually matter so you can decide with confidence.

1. A Bigger Tank Than You Think

Axolotls are amphibians that live fully aquatic lives, and they get chunky—typically 8–10 inches.

Start with a minimum 20-gallon long tank for one; add 10–20 gallons for each additional axolotl. The extra footprint matters more than height because they cruise along the bottom.

Leave open floor space for slow swims and put hides at both ends. Live or silk plants and caves help them feel secure.

2. Cool, Stable Water Is Non-Negotiable

Axolotls thrive in 60–68°F (16–20°C). Warm water speeds metabolism, lowers oxygen, and invites fungus.

If your room runs hot, budget for a chiller or an effective passive cooling plan (fans across the surface, insulated room, frozen water bottles rotated carefully). Sudden swings are worse than being a degree off.

3. Filtration Without the Fury

Axolotls are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste, but they hate strong currents.

Use a sponge filter or a canister with the outflow baffled to keep flow gentle. Cycle the tank fully before adding your axolotl; ammonia and nitrite should be 0 ppm, nitrate ideally under 40 ppm.

4. Safe Substrate (Or None)

Many new owners learn this the hard way: gravel can be fatal. Axolotls vacuum up food—and pebbles—leading to impaction.

Best choices: bare-bottom (easy to clean) or fine sand with grains smaller than their poop. If you love the look of rocks, use large, fist-sized river stones they cannot swallow.

5. What They Actually Eat

Forget generic tropical flakes. Axolotls want high-protein, soft foods.

Staples: earthworms (nightcrawlers), high-quality axolotl pellets, and occasional bloodworms or blackworms. Adults eat 2–3 times per week; juveniles eat daily.

• ✓Target-feed with tongs to reduce mess and accidental substrate ingestion.
• ✓Remove leftovers within 15 minutes to keep water clean.
• ✕Feed feeder fish from pet stores.
• ✕Rely only on bloodworms for adults long-term.

6. Look, Don’t Cuddle

Those feathery gills are delicate, and their skin has a protective slime coat. Handling dries and damages both.

Plan on a hands-off pet. Use a soft, fine-mesh net or container to move them if you must, and keep them submerged during transfers.

7. Lifespan, Costs, and Commitments

With good care, axolotls often live 10–15 years. That is longer than many small pets, so think long-term.

Initial setup costs more than the animal: tank, lid, filter, test kits, hides, and possibly a chiller. After that, expenses center on food, dechlorinator, and replacement media.