The numbers
Enclosure
Aquarium 60–80 L minimum for one adult (90–120 L recommended); lid essential; no sharp-edged decorations
Temperature
Water 16–18 °C optimum; tolerance 14–20 °C; never >22 °C (fatal heat stress); aquarium chiller or fan mandatory in Thailand
Humidity
Fully aquatic; pH 7.0–8.0; hardness GH 7–14; gentle filtration (no strong current); nitrogen cycle established before introduction
UVB
Minimal lighting (no UVB required); 12 h light / 12 h dark cycle; axolotl has no eyelids — provide shaded areas
Identity
Adult size
25–30 cm (body + tail); juvenile ~2 cm at hatching
Lifespan
10–15 years in captivity; record >20 years
Legal status
Unrestricted (CR IUCN in the wild; CB ubiquitous)
Price (THB)
800–4 000
Difficulty
Beginner / intermediate
Origin / habitat
Cohabitation
Group of same-size individuals only; cannibalism possible between adults and juveniles
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Aquarium 60–80 L minimum for one adult (90–120 L recommended); lid essential; no sharp-edged decorations
Temperature
Water 16–18 °C optimum; tolerance 14–20 °C; never >22 °C (fatal heat stress); aquarium chiller or fan mandatory in Thailand
Humidity / water
Fully aquatic; pH 7.0–8.0; hardness GH 7–14; gentle filtration (no strong current); nitrogen cycle established before introduction
Lighting / UVB
Minimal lighting (no UVB required); 12 h light / 12 h dark cycle; axolotl has no eyelids — provide shaded areas
Substrate / setup
Fine sand (grain size < 1 mm) or bare bottom; no ingestible gravel (impaction risk); hides (PVC pipes, plants, caves)
Feeding
Earthworms (staple food), axolotl/salamander pellets, bloodworms, mud shrimp; 2–4 meals/week for adults; remove leftovers promptly
Reproduction
Sexing
♂: very swollen and elongated cloaca; ♀: wider abdomen, flatter cloaca
Maturity
6–12 months depending on temperature and feeding
Triggering
Cool season simulation: lower water to 14–16 °C for 4–6 weeks, then gradually raise to 18–20 °C; partial cold water change
Spawning
♂ deposits spermatophores; ♀ picks them up and lays 100–1 500 eggs on plants or rocks over 24–48 h; remove adults after spawning
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Obligate neotenic species: NO natural metamorphosis; larvae retain feathery gills throughout life; hatching 14–21 days (depending on temp.); free-swimming from day 15–21
Juvenile rearing
Separate by size (cannibalism); feed daphnia, brine shrimp, whiteworms from day 3–5; maintain cold water; first weeks critical for survival rate
Common health problems
Chytridiomycosis (Bd)
Signsdepigmentation, lethargy, peeling skin — itraconazole 0.01% bath / 5 min × 11 days; very rare in axolotl but possible
Dropsy / oedema
Signssubcutaneous swelling, bacterial or renal causes — quarantine, veterinary antibiotic treatment
Digestive impaction
Signsingestion of gravel or coarse substrate — veterinary surgery; prevent with fine sand substrate
Fungal infection (Saprolegnia)
Signswhite cottony patches on skin or gills — improve filtration, aquarium salt 1 g/L, low temperature
Quarantine
Signs30 days minimum in a separate aquarium at 16–18 °C; observe posture, appetite, gills (feathery = good sign); Bd test if WC or unknown origin; never introduce an individual with reduced gills or skin lesions without veterinary advice
Good to know
- Obligate neoteny: the axolotl is incapable of natural metamorphosis — do not administer iodide (T4 injection) without strict scientific supervision
- Water cooling essential in Bangkok (ambient temp 28–35 °C): aquatic chiller or fan above the surface; monitor temp daily during the hot season
- Remarkable regeneration of limbs, gills and even part of the heart — do not confuse a regenerating limb with an infected wound
- GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) morph: fluorescence visible under UV light — no impact on care, purely aesthetic
Others in this group
White's Tree FrogRanoidea caeruleaYellow-banded Poison Dart FrogDendrobates leucomelasMimic Poison FrogRanitomeya imitatorDyeing Poison Dart FrogDendrobates tinctoriusGolden Poison Dart FrogPhyllobates terribilisGreen-and-black Poison Dart FrogDendrobates auratusStrawberry Poison Dart FrogOophaga pumilioAfrican Clawed FrogXenopus laevis