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Pets and Animals
Amphibian
How to Care for an Axolotl Download Article Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked
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Creating the Right Environment
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Keeping Your Axolotl Healthy
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Maintaining Your Axolotl's Safety
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This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 659,331 times.
An axolotl is an aquatic salamander related to tiger salamanders. They are easy to care for and make enjoyable pets. They have a lifespan of 10-15 years in aquariums if provided the right environment and care.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Creating the Right Environment
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1 Set up the tank. A 10-gallon (38 liter) tank can work for a single axolotl. However, bigger is generally better when it comes to an axolotl. Opt for the biggest tank you can fit into your home. A 20-gallon (76 liter) tank is a good size for an axolotl.[1]XResearch source
Fill the aquarium with water completely, the way you would fill it for fish. Tap water is safe to use if you condition it as you would for a freshwater fish tank. If you do not condition the water, chlorine and other chemicals in the water can harm or kill your axolotls.
Keep a lid on the aquarium at all times. Axolotls will sometimes jump out of their tanks.
Make sure to provide your axolotl with an appropriate hiding place. Anything that provides shelter makes a good place for axolotls during the day. You can use flower pots, hollow decorations, or a safely stacked rock cave.
2 Install an external canister filter. An external canister filter is necessary to keep your axolotl’s water clean and healthy. You can purchase this type of filter at a local pet store.[2]XResearch source
Any filter you install should have a spray bar or other outlet to control water flow. While axolotls need subtle water flow, they are stressed by actively flowing water. Exposure to strong water flow may cause them to stop eating or develop stress-related health problems.
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3 Provide substrate. Substrate is material that lines the bottom of an aquarium. The bottom of an axolotl tank should be lined with large fish tank pebbles (larger than the axolotl's head) or fine sand (fine grain sand being the ideal substrate). Do not use small pellets or rough sand (such as blasting sand). An axolotl may accidentally ingest such substances.[3]XResearch source
4 Keep lighting minimal. You do not need to provide lighting for an axolotl the same way you would for a fish tank. Bright lighting may actually cause an axolotl to feel distressed, so opt for a plant light if you add a light at all. Axolotls do not need a lot of light to thrive, so lighting is usually so you can see the animal rather than for the axolotl’s benefit.[4]XResearch source
Minimize how often you keep the light on. Lights can generate excess heat, which can be bad for an axolotl. Turn it off when you are not feeding or viewing the axolotl.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Keeping Your Axolotl Healthy
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1 Maintain the right temperature. Axolotls are cold-blooded animals, so you do not need a heater, though if your house is kept at a warmer temp, you may need an aquarium chiller. The proper temperature for an axolotl hovers between 60° and 65° Fahrenheit (approximately 16°-21° Celsius). [5]XResearch source
Make sure to adjust the temperature of the room that contains the tank if you live in an area prone to extreme heat or cold. You may need to keep an air conditioner or heater in the room during some months.
Axolotls exposed to temperatures above 74° F (23° C) will develop heat stress. If your tank is prone to overheating, purchase a tank cooler.
2 Feed your axolotl a proper diet. You can buy night crawlers and frozen bloodworms at a local pet store or feed them earthworms from pesticide-free soil. These should be the staples of your axolotl's diet. Only pellets will not provide your Axolotl with enough nutrition. You can also occasionally provide frozen shrimp and bits of chicken for a treat. Avoid live fish as food due to parasites.[6]XResearch source
Feed your axolotl every other day for half an hour. Provide the axolotl with as much food as it can eat in a half hour time frame.[7]XResearch source
3 Change the water regularly. Once a week, remove 50 to 60% of the water from the tank. Then, replace it with fresh water. Tap water is safe to use if you condition the water and have a filtration system in place.[8]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Maintaining Your Axolotl's Safety
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1 Separate young and old axolotls. If your axolotls breed, remove the babies from the tank using a net and place them in a separate aquarium. Older axolotls may prey on younger ones, so it's not safe to keep axolotls of different ages in a tank together.[9]XResearch source
2 Do not place other animals in an axolotl tank. Axolotls are best kept in their own tank, but occasionally can do well with another axolotl of a similar size and age. However, they will prey on other types of fish or marine life. In general, an axolotl tank should only contain axolotls.[10]XResearch source
3 Refrain from handling axolotls. Axolotls are not people-friendly pets. They do not need human contact to be happy and, in fact, this may stress them out. Only handle an axolotl when necessary, such as when removing babies from a tank. Axolotls may also nip if handled.[11]XResearch source
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Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article has been viewed 659,331 times. 94 votes - 93% Co-authors: 55Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 659,331 Categories: AmphibianArticle SummaryX
To care for an axolotl, start by filling a 10 gallon tank with water and installing a canister filter to keep the water clean. Line the bottom of the tank with a substrate of sand or large pebbles, then make sure the temperature of the tank is between 60 or 70 degrees by adjusting the temperature in the room where the tank is. To feed your axolotl a good diet, purchase night-crawlers or frozen bloodworms from a pet store. Finally, feed your axolotl every other day with as much food as it can eat in 30 minutes. To find out why you should change the water regularly, and separate young and old axolotls, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Shelby
Mar 11, 2017
"I was looking on Facebook and saw one and was like, I need one of those. And I asked Mama and she said yes. We are getting three Tuesday. I have an aquarium with some fish in it already, but after reading this, I don't think it's the best choice. I have rocks on the bottom, and we have filters that blow air all the time. The air it blows comes out rough. We also got lighting, except it's really bright, and around a certain time, it turns dark blue, but it's super bright. Any options?"..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Co-authors: 55Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 659,33193% of readers found this article helpful. 94 votes - 93% Click a star to add your vote
Shelby
Mar 11, 2017
"I was looking on Facebook and saw one and was like, I need one of those. And I asked Mama and she said yes. We are getting three Tuesday. I have an aquarium with some fish in it already, but after reading this, I don't think it's the best choice. I have rocks on the bottom, and we have filters that blow air all the time. The air it blows comes out rough. We also got lighting, except it's really bright, and around a certain time, it turns dark blue, but it's super bright. Any options?"..." more
Josh Waddington
Mar 23, 2023
"Thanks to this easy to follow guide my axolotl is as happy as can be and is living a great life. I put her baby's in a tank next to hers so they can be near each other and so the baby's can learn from their mother."..." more
Lexy Bird
Jul 23, 2017
"Honestly, I couldn't find any good info until this popped up in my recommended sites. I found everything I needed on here easily. The site is very organized and so helpful. Thank you, Lexy. "..." more Rated this article:
June Carpenter
Feb 22, 2018
"I am looking to get away from cold water fish in my tank, but do not want tropical fish. Was looking for ideas, and this site has certainly provided me with that! Thank you!"..." more
Crystal Reef
Aug 5, 2017
"I'm thinking of getting an axalotl for Christmas, and I needed to find some information about them, as I don't know much. This site was very useful."..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS 
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Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article has been viewed 659,331 times. 94 votes - 93% Co-authors: 55 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 659,331 Categories: Amphibian Article SummaryX
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1 Set up the tank. A 10-gallon (38 liter) tank can work for a single axolotl. However, bigger is generally better when it comes to an axolotl. Opt for the biggest tank you can fit into your home. A 20-gallon (76 liter) tank is a good size for an axolotl.[1] 
2 Install an external canister filter. An external canister filter is necessary to keep your axolotl’s water clean and healthy. You can purchase this type of filter at a local pet store.[2] 
3 Provide substrate. Substrate is material that lines the bottom of an aquarium. The bottom of an axolotl tank should be lined with large fish tank pebbles (larger than the axolotl's head) or fine sand (fine grain sand being the ideal substrate). Do not use small pellets or rough sand (such as blasting sand). An axolotl may accidentally ingest such substances.[3] 
4 Keep lighting minimal. You do not need to provide lighting for an axolotl the same way you would for a fish tank. Bright lighting may actually cause an axolotl to feel distressed, so opt for a plant light if you add a light at all. Axolotls do not need a lot of light to thrive, so lighting is usually so you can see the animal rather than for the axolotl’s benefit.[4] 
1 Maintain the right temperature. Axolotls are cold-blooded animals, so you do not need a heater, though if your house is kept at a warmer temp, you may need an aquarium chiller. The proper temperature for an axolotl hovers between 60° and 65° Fahrenheit (approximately 16°-21° Celsius). [5] 
2 Feed your axolotl a proper diet. You can buy night crawlers and frozen bloodworms at a local pet store or feed them earthworms from pesticide-free soil. These should be the staples of your axolotl's diet. Only pellets will not provide your Axolotl with enough nutrition. You can also occasionally provide frozen shrimp and bits of chicken for a treat. Avoid live fish as food due to parasites.[6] 
3 Change the water regularly. Once a week, remove 50 to 60% of the water from the tank. Then, replace it with fresh water. Tap water is safe to use if you condition the water and have a filtration system in place.[8] Advertisement 
1 Separate young and old axolotls. If your axolotls breed, remove the babies from the tank using a net and place them in a separate aquarium. Older axolotls may prey on younger ones, so it's not safe to keep axolotls of different ages in a tank together.[9] 
2 Do not place other animals in an axolotl tank. Axolotls are best kept in their own tank, but occasionally can do well with another axolotl of a similar size and age. However, they will prey on other types of fish or marine life. In general, an axolotl tank should only contain axolotls.[10] 
3 Refrain from handling axolotls. Axolotls are not people-friendly pets. They do not need human contact to be happy and, in fact, this may stress them out. Only handle an axolotl when necessary, such as when removing babies from a tank. Axolotls may also nip if handled.[11] Advertisement 
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