🦎 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Axolotl Care: Aquatic Setup, Feeding & Health for Smiling Salamanders 💧🐟

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are aquatic amphibians that captivate keepers with their feathery gills, permanent smiles, and quirky behaviors. Native to the lakes of Mexico, axolotls are entirely aquatic and require specialized care. This 2025 guide explores the essentials of tank setup, water quality, feeding, and long-term health for these fascinating salamanders. 🦎💧

📖 About Axolotls

Axolotls are neotenic salamanders—meaning they retain their juvenile features throughout life. They grow up to 30 cm, live 10–15 years, and thrive best when kept solo or with other axolotls in carefully managed tanks. They are cold-water dwellers with delicate skin and external gills. ❄️

🏠 Tank Setup & Habitat

• Minimum Tank Size: 60 L per axolotl; larger tanks are more stable and offer more swimming space.
• Substrate: Bare-bottom or fine sand only—avoid gravel, which causes fatal impaction if swallowed.
• Hides: Add PVC tubes, caves, or plants for security.
• Lighting: Low to moderate; axolotls prefer dim environments.
• Tank Lid: Always cover the tank—axolotls can jump!

🌡️ Water Temperature & Filtration

Water quality is critical for axolotl health:

• Ideal Temperature: 16–18°C; never exceed 22°C
• Cooling: Use fans, coolers, or frozen water bottles in warmer months
• Filter: Use a low-flow sponge or hang-on-back filter with baffles—axolotls dislike strong currents
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <40 ppm
• pH: 6.5–8.0

Maintenance

• Test water parameters weekly
• Do 20–30% water changes every 5–7 days
• Use dechlorinator for all tap water

🍤 Feeding & Nutrition

• Staple Diet: Axolotl pellets, earthworms, blackworms
• Treats: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, cooked prawn or lean meat (infrequently)
• Feeding Schedule:
  • Juveniles: Daily
  • Adults: Every 2–3 days
• Feeding Tips: Use tongs or spot-feed; remove uneaten food promptly

🧠 Behavior & Handling

• No Handling: Axolotls have fragile skin and gills—do not handle unless absolutely necessary
• Behavior: Nocturnal and gentle—some individuals are more curious than others
• Tank Mates: Best kept alone or with other similarly sized axolotls; avoid fish (fin-nipping, disease)

🩺 Common Health Issues

• Ammonia Burn: Lethargy, gill damage, curled tail—immediate water change required
• Impaction: Caused by gravel or large food items—leads to bloating and floating
• Fungal Infections: White cottony growths—treat with salt baths under vet guidance
• Gill Loss: From poor water, stress, or tankmates—focus on water quality and temperature

⚠️ Signs to Call a Vet

• Refusal to eat for over a week
• Persistent floating or listing
• Skin lesions, ulcers, or missing limbs not regenerating
• Red, inflamed gills or gill loss

🧽 Cleaning Checklist

• Daily: Remove waste and uneaten food
• Weekly: Partial water change and water parameter test
• Monthly: Filter rinse (in tank water) and light substrate vacuum

📱 Resources & Support

• 💬 Expert help available through Ask A Vet or the Ask A Vet app
• 🧪 Shop water test kits, chillers, and filters at Woopf
• 🍤 Stock up on axolotl-safe foods and conditioners from Purrz

Axolotls are a joy to care for when their environment is dialed in. With pristine water, a gentle feeding schedule, and respect for their aquatic needs, your smiling salamander can thrive for many years. 💧🦎