Axolotls are adorable, weird little creatures that look like they’re always smiling—and it’s easy to see why people fall in love with them. They’re popping up everywhere lately, from TikTok to Minecraft, and if you’re thinking of getting one, I don’t blame you!
But here’s the truth: owning an axolotl is nothing like having a goldfish. They need a lot of setup, regular care, and some science-y stuff too (like water testing—don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds). I’ve owned axolotls for years, and if you’re new to it all, I’ve got your back. Review what you need to know—no fluff, just what works.
Is an Axolotl Right for You?
Before diving into tanks and filters, ask yourself: Am I ready to care for a pet that could live for 15 years? That’s right—axolotls can live just as long as cats and dogs if looked after properly.
They’re not “easy pets.” You’ll need to:
- Learn a bit about water chemistry
- Keep their tank cold year-round
- Feed them the right food (and not too much!)
- Watch for subtle signs of illness
If you’re getting one for your child, know the day-to-day care will likely fall to you. That’s not bad—kids can help, but the more technical bits (like testing water or treating illness) need an adult’s input.
I started with one axolotl, thinking it was a quirky tank pet. A few months in, I had a complete test kit, a chiller running 24/7, and a second tank just in case. Was it worth it? Definitely—but I had to be ready to commit.
Setting Up Your Pet Axolotl Tank
Tank Size Matters
Axolotls grow big—up to 30cm (that’s a full foot). A small tank won’t cut it.
Here’s what I recommend:
- One axolotl: 90L tank minimum (2.5 feet long)
- Adding a second axolotl? Add 45L and 1 foot of space—and only if they’re the same size and same sex
Mixing sexes or sizes is a no-go. Males will try to mate constantly (even with siblings), and the larger axis might nip at the smaller ones.
Filtration & Flow
These guys are messy. Their poop and leftover food break down into ammonia, which is toxic unless you have good filtration.
What I use:
- A filter rated for double your tank size
- Sponge pre-filters to soften the flow (axolotls don’t like strong currents)
Avoid undergravel filters—they don’t work well for messy animals like axolotls.
Substrate & Decorations
Axolotls eat by sucking in food like little hoovers. If you have gravel or tiny decorations, guess what? They’ll try to eat those too.
What’s worked best for me:
- Bare-bottom tanks (easy to clean)
- Fine sand (under 1mm grain) once your axolotl is over 5–6 inches long
- Big, smooth rocks and hides (nothing sharp or small)
Live plants are great for aesthetics and water quality, but always quarantine them for 2–3 weeks—snails and parasites love hitching a ride.
Water Quality 101
This is where things get serious. Axolotls absorb everything through their skin, so your tank water needs to be spot-on.
Target levels:
- Temperature: 16–18°C (use a chiller or frozen bottles in summer)
- pH: 7.4–7.6 (OK range is 7.0–8.0)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Below 20 ppm
- KH(carbonate hardness) & GH(general hardness): Keep these stable with crushed coral or a buffer if your tap water is soft
Get a liquid test kit (I use the API Master Kit)—it may save your axolotl’s life one day.
How to Cycle Your Tank (No, Not With a Bike)
If you skip this step, you’re putting your axolotl in toxic soup. Cycling builds good bacteria in your filter that eat ammonia and nitrites, turning them into safer nitrates.
Here’s how I cycled mine:
- Fill the tank with dechlorinated water (I use Seachem Prime)
- Add ammonia to get to 4 ppm (you’ll find calculators online)
- Keep the pH above 7
- Test daily for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates
- Wait until ammonia and nitrite both read 0, and nitrates show up (this takes 4–10 weeks)
Once you’ve cycled, make a significant water change to bring nitrates below 10 ppm. Then—and only then—is it safe to add your axolotl.
What Do Axolotls Eat?
Short answer: worms. Long answer: a variety, but mostly worms.
My go-to foods:
- Dendrobaena worms – top choice, full of protein and calcium
- Repashy Grub Pie – great backup if worms aren’t your thing
- Pellets – I use them now and then, 1–2 per inch of axolotl
Occasional treats:
- Bloodworms (messy, but they love them)
- Waxworms and maggots (only now and then—they’re fatty)
- Fresh shrimp (chopped small)
Feeding Schedule:
- Babies (<3″): Live food 24/7
- Juveniles (<9 months): 2–3 meals per day
- Adults: Every day or every other day
How Long Do Axolotls Live?
Your axolotl could be with you for 10–15 years with good care. That’s a long time—so think of this as a lifelong companion, not a novelty pet.
To help them live their best life:
- Keep water clean and parameters stable
- Feed a nutritious diet
- Avoid tank mates (they’re solo creatures)
- Watch closely for early signs of illness
Routine Care: Keeping Things Simple
Daily
- Remove poop and leftover food (I use a turkey baster)
- Check water temp
- Quick look to see if your axolotl is behaving normally
Weekly
- Test the water
- Change 25–50% depending on nitrate levels
Monthly
- Rinse filter media in tank water (never tap)
- Deep clean decor if needed
- Check that all equipment is working
Spotting Trouble Early
Axolotls are good at hiding issues, so small changes matter.
🚩 Watch for:
- Curled gills or tail
- Floating on their side or upside down
- Pale or red patches
- Refusing food
If something feels off:
- Test the water first
- Tub your axolotl in cold, clean water
- Use tea baths for minor fungus or methylene blue if needed
- Call an exotic vet if things get worse
Summer Tip: Keeping Your Axolotl Cool
UK summers + indoor tanks = danger. Axolotls can’t tolerate heat.
What works for me:
- Rotating frozen bottles of dechlorinated water
- Clip-on fans to increase evaporation
- A good aquarium chiller (expensive but worth it if you can swing it)
- Blocking sunlight with foil or blackout blinds
Never let the water hit 21°C. If you keep it below 18°C, your axolotl will thank you.
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think? Are you still keen on getting an axolotl?
I recommend you seek out others who have raised these fantastic creatures and get all the information you can before setting out on your journey.
They’re among the most rewarding pets you can have if you’re ready to do the prep and stay consistent with care. Watching mine eat, regenerate a limb (yep, they do that), or float around like a weirdo never gets old.
It’s not “easy,” but it is doable—and you’ll learn as you go.