Axolotl care

Water temperature

60–66°F

Keep axolotls at 60–66°F with a pH of 6.5–8, in a tank of at least 20 gallons. It is best kept on its own.

Cold water only. Fish nip its gills and small ones get eaten.

Ambystoma mexicanum

pH

6.5–8

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

10.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Alone or in pairs

Lifespan

10–15 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Full axolotl tank mate chart: 0 yes, 0 with care, 98 no

Axolotl water compared

Fish to keep away from axolotls

• Betta Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); bettas need 76–82°F. No temperature suits both.
• Goldfish Fish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.
• Oscar Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); oscars need 74–81°F. No temperature suits both.
• Angelfish Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); angelfish need 76–84°F. No temperature suits both.
• Guppy Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); guppies need 72–82°F. No temperature suits both.
• Zebra danio Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra danios need 65–77°F. They overlap only at 65–66°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Cherry shrimp Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); cherry shrimp need 65–80°F. They overlap only at 65–66°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Neon tetra Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); neon tetras need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.

More frogs and axolotls

• African dwarf frog72–82°F