Meet Your Axolotl: A Simple Care Guide for Your New Water Buddy

If you’re thinking of welcoming an axolotl into your aquatic family (or you already have one and want a neat, no-fuss guide), this post is for you. These cute little “water dragons” are quirky, fun, and relatively low-maintenance — if you set them up right.

What You’ll Need — Quick Setup Checklist

Here’s a quick bullet list to make sure you’ve got all the good bits before your axolotl arrives:

• Tank size: For one adult, aim for at least ~60 cm length (≈75 L) or bigger. (Bigger is always better).
• Temperature: Keep water cool — ideally ~16-18 °C (≈60-64 °F). Avoid going above ~20 °C (≈68 °F).
• Substrate: Fine sand or bare bottom is best. Avoid gravel that’s small enough to swallow.
• Filter/flow: A gentle sponge filter or low‐flow canister. Axolotls don’t like strong currents.
• Decor & hides: Provide caves, PVC pipes, low light zones. They like to chill out in a hide.
• Water quality: Use dechlorinated tap water, keep ammonia & nitrites at 0, nitrates low, pH ~6.5-8.0.
• Feeding gear: Pellets made for carnivores/axolotls, earthworms, frozen bloodworms, etc.
• Cooling strategy (if your room warms up): Use a small fan over the water, float sealed frozen bottles, or an aquarium chiller.

One‐Page Care Sheet

🌡️ Temperature

• Ideal: 16–18 °C (60–64 °F)
• Never above: 20 °C (68 °F)
• Tips: Use a small fan; avoid sunlight; float sealed ice bottles to cool the tank.

🧊 Tank Size

• One axolotl: minimum ~60 cm / ~75 L (20 gallons).
• Add ~30 L (8 gallons) for each extra axolotl.
• Use wide & shallow rather than tall & skinny.

💧 Water Quality

• Use dechlorinated water.
• Filter: gentle sponge or canister.
• Weekly checks: Ammonia 0; Nitrite 0; Nitrate <40ppm; pH 6.5‐8.0.

🪸 Substrate

• Best: fine sand or bare bottom.
• Avoid gravel: risk of impaction (swallowing).

🌿 Decor & Hiding Places

• Provide 1–2 hides (pipes, caves, plants).
• Use smooth decorations; no sharp edges.
• Keep lighting dim/shaded (axolotls don’t like bright light).

🍽️ Feeding

• Juveniles (under 1yr): feed every day.
• Adults: feed every 2–3 days.
• Foods: Axolotl‐friendly pellets, earthworms, frozen bloodworms/brine shrimp.
• Remove uneaten food after feeding.

🧽 Cleaning Routine

• Partial water change (20–30%) each week.
• Siphon waste from bottom.
• Rinse filter media in tank water (not tap water) to preserve good bacteria.

⚠️ Health Watch

• Signs of stress: curled/retracted gills, floating at surface, refusing food, pale colour.
• Common causes: warm water, poor quality water, strong current, inadequate hiding.

Why They’re Great Pets

• Calm, interesting to watch, quirky personalities.
• Hard to find other aquatic pets that look this much like little aliens.
• Long lifespan (10+ years) if cared for right. Axolotl Central+1
• Great for education: kids and adults alike love their odd-ball looks and behaviour.

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Quick “What Not To Do”

• Don’t keep your tank too warm — it stresses them and can cause illness.
• Don’t use substrate they can swallow (like small gravel).
• Don’t mix with large fish or other species they might eat or get injured by. HowStuffWorks+1
• Don’t skip weekly water quality checks — even if your tank looks clean, toxins can build up.

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Final Thoughts

If you set up your tank with their needs in mind — cool water, gentle flow, clear space with hiding spots, and good food — your axolotl will likely live happily for many years and give you loads of joy.
Think of them as a chilled-out underwater roommate who loves the cool side of things.

💧 Thinking of bringing an axolotl home? Visit The Pet Centre for tanks,and food specially chosen for your aquatic friends.