CARE GUIDE
So you discovered this cute and unique little creature called the axolotl. We are here to bring you the little buddy you've been looking for! In case you have never kept an axolotl before we are here to help bring you some guide lines to make your axolotl happy and keep that smile on your face.
THE BASICS
You may not know this, but axolotls are fully aquatic animals. Axolotls can grow to be between 6 - 18 inches long. The average life expectancy is 10 - 20 years old. They are a type of a salamander that can be found in a wide variety of colors such as white, purple, gold and many more. Although they are in the salamander family, they never undergo the process of metamorphosis. They never transition from an aquatic animal. preferably axolotls should live with their own species. With that being said, there are a few fish they can coexist with such as white cloud minnows, large plecos and snails that are large enough for the axolotl to not swallow. Anything smaller may become a snack. Watch any other animals in the tank with your axolotls. Plecos can sometimes be territorial and need to be removed. also watch for any fish that are plucking at the axolotl's gills. Ultimately we would recommend to keep them by themselves or with another axolotl of the same size.
TANK requirements
A single axolotl requires at least a 20 gallon long tank and an additional 10 gallons per additional axolotl. When it comes to tank size bigger is better and easier to maintain. An appropriate sized water filter will be required to help keep your tank clean and provide water agitation to your tank. The best option is to have a bare bottom tank with no substrate because they may accidently swallow gravel and sand while eating which will become a problem. but in our own personal experience we have found that fluval stratum is a suitable option if you prefer the aesthetics of a planted tank. ONLY fill their tank with dechlorinated water or spring water!
Living conditions
To keep your axolotl thriving, they need to have a particular set of water parameters. They live in a temperature range of 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer to live in a low light environment, however tank lighting is acceptable provided they have a place to hide from the light. Examples include caves, large plants or floating plants. Be cautious of high ammonia levels in the water, which can be caused by waste product or over feeding. Ammonia levels can be monitored with an ammonia test kit that you could pick up at a local pet store. This should be tested weekly to keep your axolotl safe. The optimal pH range for axolotls is between 7.2 and 7.6. Water changes need to be done routinely to maintain the correct water parameters.
feeding
Axolotls require different foods and amounts depending on their age and size. Juvenile axolotls should eat every day while adults every other day. Removing uneaten food after feedings is a good practice to prevent high ammonia levels.
At the juvenile stage (around 3-6 inches) they require blood worms or Black worms, which can be found in the frozen food section of your local pet store. They can also eat smaller diameter pellets that are made for axolotls
Adult axolotls (over 6 inches) prefer food such as European night crawlers or axolotl pellets. Earth worms taken from outside your house are prone to have parasites or pesticides that can be harmful to your axolotls. For that reason we recommend you only feeding your pet with worms purchased from your local pet store or starting your very own worm farm!