Axolotl

Description

Common & Latin Name: Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Care level: Easy
Max Size: 30cm
Diet: Carnivore
Temp: 14-20°C
PH: 6.5-7.5
Purchase size: 8-10cm

Axolotls are an alternative to fish that’s becoming increasingly more popular in the hobby. They are considered the Peter Pan of salamanders as they spend their entire lives in the form of a juvenile salamander. Preferring a cooler aquarium, they are best kept as a species only set up as they will generally predate on fish and invertebrates. The aquarium needs to be spacious as these amphibians grow to a pretty substantial size. It should be furnished with rocks, bog wood and plants and the substrate should be soft sand or no substrate at all. Gravel should be avoided as the axolotls may accidentally ingest it when feeding. It is important to choose a dechlorinator that is deemed safe for axolotls as many of them contain aloe vera, which harms axolotls.

Food can be offered in the form of axolotl pellets, as well as live foods. Dendrobaena worms are particularly popular with axolotls, but be aware that a whole one might be too big for your baby axolotl. Wax worm, lancefish and river shrimp also make great treats for axolotls.

If you need advice on keeping these axolotls, please contact us and a member of our friendly store team will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.