Axolotls are a unique species of salamander that can live on land, but also swim in the water. They’re very friendly and sociable, making them great pets for people who want to spend time with their animals.
However, if you want your axolotl to have friends in the tank (or just prefer not to be alone), you should know that mixing axolotls with other fish is possible but difficult.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about keeping axolotls with other fish and what types of conditions they need so they can thrive together happily!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Axolotls’ compatibility with other fish depends on various factors such as fish size and temperament. |
| Some fish species may exhibit fin-nipping behavior towards axolotls, which can be harmful to their delicate skin. |
| It is recommended to choose fish species that are similar in size and have peaceful temperaments to ensure a harmonious tank environment. |
| Providing ample hiding places and space for each species can reduce the chances of aggression or stress among tank mates. |
| Regular monitoring of the tank and the behavior of the fish is essential to ensure the well-being of axolotls and their tank mates. |
Are Axolotls Good With Other Fish?
The answer is: no. Axolotls are solitary creatures and they should be kept alone or with other amphibians, turtles, frogs, and reptiles.
If you want to add them to your tank, it’s best to introduce them after the tank has been established for at least six months so that they won’t suffer from ammonia spikes caused by their waste products (this is especially true if you’re keeping multiple axolotls in one aquarium).
Also, make sure that your axolotl doesn’t already have any infections before adding him or her to an aquarium because this could be deadly for everyone living there not just your new pet!
As a rule of thumb for deciding whether or not an animal will do well in a particular environment:
Look at where their natural habitat would be on Earth (this can be found online) and find out what conditions are like there; then compare those conditions with what’s available at home in terms of temperature range/climate etcetera.”
If you’re considering axolotls as pets, you’ll be amazed at how they make excellent companions. Discover why axolotls make good pets in our comprehensive guide on axolotls as pets.
What Animals Can Axolotls Live With?
Axolotls are generally considered to be a very peaceful species, even though they have some interesting defense mechanisms. Because of this, they can live in harmony with other animals. I’ve found that axolotls do very well living with fish and frogs.
I’ve had success keeping a small school of Zebra Danios (fish) with my axolotl for many years now!
Axolotls also seem to enjoy being kept near other amphibians such as newts or salamanders (if you want to find out more about which species will live well together in your aquarium/terrarium).
They cannot live with birds or reptiles because their skin is poisonous to these species (and vice versa), so it’s important not to mix them up if you have birds or lizards around; likewise for mammals like cats and dogs.
These animals may try and eat the soft-skinned salamander by mistake! If you want an easy life for yourself and your axolotl, make sure all your pets get along before adding them into the same tank!
| Animals Axolotls Can Live With |
|---|
| Fish |
| Snails |
| Shrimp |
| African Dwarf Frogs |
| Plecos |
| Corydoras Catfish |
| Mystery Snails |
| Amano Shrimp |
Can Axolotls Be Kept In A Small Tank?
You may have heard that axolotls can be kept in small tanks, but this is not true. Axolotls need a lot of space to live comfortably, and they need the ability to move around their tank with ease. While most species of fish do not mind living in cramped conditions, axolotls are different.
They require a tank at least 10 gallons in size with a minimum height of 10 inches (25 cm). A larger tank is even better if you can afford it!
The reason for this large size requirement is because axolotl care dictates that these amphibians need as much water as possible for their health and well-being.
The more water your tank has and thus how easy it would be for your axolotl to swim around the happier he or she will be!
While axolotls can be fascinating creatures, there are important factors to consider before keeping them as pets. Learn why axolotls should not be pets in our informative article on risks of keeping axolotls as pets.
What Is The Best Way To Clean An Axolotl Tank?
Use a siphon to clean the gravel. You can use this method with any kind of gravel, whether it’s smooth or rough, but be sure to rinse away any loose particles first. You want to avoid removing entire pieces of gravel that could harm your axolotl if they get stuck in its gills or mouth.
Clean the filter with a siphon and distilled water. Make sure you drain all of the water before cleaning it so that you’re not accidentally washing debris into the tank itself!
If there are visible particles on top of the filter media (which is probably just algae), try using a toothbrush instead it’ll scrub off any buildup much more efficiently than simply spraying them down with regular tap water would have done alone!
Wash your tank walls with some bleach solution (1 tablespoon per gallon). This will kill off harmful bacteria while also disinfecting surfaces like glass panes so they don’t harbor anything dangerous for either species involved namely yourself!
Don’t forget about rocks either: make sure everything gets cleaned thoroughly every week at a minimum so nothing nasty grows inside those crevices without anyone noticing!
Do Axolotls Sleep At Night?
Like humans, axolotls are diurnal. That means they’re most active during the day and sleep at night.
However, unlike humans who sleep for about seven to nine hours per night (and get an average of six hours of quality sleep), it’s not known how much time axolotls spend sleeping each night.
Anecdotally speaking, you should be able to tell if your axolotl is awake or asleep by its behavior: if it’s moving around and exploring its tank, then it’s probably awake; if it’s not moving much at all then it’s probably asleep.
It may be helpful to look at its eyes too if they appear cloudy then your pet is probably in a deep slumber!
| Do Axolotls Sleep at Night? |
|---|
| Yes |
| Axolotls |
| Sleep |
| During |
| Both |
| Day |
| And |
| Night |
Can I Feed My Axolotl Bloodworms every day?
Bloodworms are good food for axolotls. To find out how many bloodworms to feed axolotls, divide the weight of your axolotl by 2.5 and multiply it by 30. For example, if your axolotl weighs 250 grams (0.55 lbs), then 30 x .55 = 16.5 g of bloodworm should be fed per day.
You can either dig them out from where they came from or if you don’t want to do that just add them into a container with some water and chop them up into smaller pieces before feeding them to your pet.
Are you a beginner interested in owning an axolotl? Discover whether axolotls are good pets for beginners and get started on your pet-owning journey. Our guide on axolotls as pets for beginners provides valuable insights and tips.
How Often Should I Feed My Axolotl?
You should feed your Axolotls every day so that they get enough nutrition in their diet but not too much which could lead to obesity problems later on down the road when they’re older adults!
If you’re worried about overfeeding them then try giving them less food than recommended above because this will help keep things balanced between being short-term hungry vs long-term health issues caused by obesity such as heart failure etc.
Is It Safe To Leave My Axolotl Alone For A Week?
If you’re planning on leaving your axolotl alone for a week, it’s best to have someone else check in on them every day. This is so that if any problems arise, they can be attended to immediately.
If one of your axolotls hasn’t eaten in two days or exhibits signs of stress (pale coloring and swimming slowly), take action immediately!
Make sure that all the water parameters are good (the temperature should be 76-78 degrees Fahrenheit) and change some fresh water into the tank.
You should also check for dead animals under the rocks or plants; if the other fish aren’t eating them, they will rot in the tank and release toxic ammonia fumes into it.
| Is It Safe To Leave My Axolotl Alone for a Week? |
|---|
| Yes |
| Axolotl |
| Safe |
| Leave |
| Alone |
| Week |
How Much Salt Should Be Added To An Axolotl Tank?
In the wild, axolotls have to contend with all sorts of nasty parasites and bacteria. To help protect them from these threats, some hobbyists add salt to the water.
In general, you should add about 0.2% of the water volume in your tank as salt; that’s 2 grams per liter or 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. It’s also common for people to make a mixture of half aquarium salt (which comes pre-measured) and half evaporated seawater for this purpose.
Once you get used to working with a few different measurements, it’s easy enough to keep track of whether or not you’ve added enough salt!
Starting your journey as a pet owner? Find out why axolotls make great starter pets and learn what to expect. Check out our article on axolotls as starter pets to make an informed decision.
Can I Put An Axolotl In A Little Fishy Tank?
It’s not recommended to put an axolotl in a tank with other fish. Here’s why:
Not enough space. Axolotls are large, fast-moving animals who need a lot of space and can get aggressive if they’re confined for too long. A bigger tank is also better for water changes and oxygenation.
Too much waste is produced by other fish. This increases the amount of ammonia in your water, which can harm your axolotl’s sensitive gills.
Not enough food for them all — especially if there is more than one type of fish in the same tank!
Each species has different dietary requirements, so they must have their food source (e.g., a sinking pellet or flake made specifically for their kind) rather than sharing one (which could lead to stress).
You can mix axolotls with other fish but only if you put in a lot of effort
If you are looking for a pet that is easy to care for, an axolotl isn’t it. They can be aggressive towards other fish and need a lot of attention.
The first thing you need to do when trying to mix axolotls with other fish is to keep the tank clean. This means cleaning the gravel and cleaning the filter regularly.
If your tank doesn’t have proper filtration then it may not be possible for you to keep your axolotl alive in it because they like clean water as well as warm water (78F/25C).
You also need to feed them more than any other type of pet fish so if you want one pet that’s going to eat all your food then an axolotl may be suitable but don’t expect anything more than eating all your food! In fact, after watching their behavior I found out how much they like eating: A LOT!
Curious about the social dynamics of axolotls? Discover whether axolotls are better kept in pairs and how it can impact their well-being. Explore our in-depth analysis on axolotls in pairs for a deeper understanding of their social behavior.
Conclusion
It is possible to keep your axolotl with other fish, but it is not recommended. For this to work, you have to make sure that the water temperature of both tanks is at the same level and that there is enough space for both species to thrive.
You also need to keep an eye on the amount of salt in each tank because it could be dangerous if there was too much or too little!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on axolotl tank mates:
Aquarium Store Depot: Axolotl Tank Mates: Explore a comprehensive guide discussing suitable tank mates for axolotls, including compatible fish species.
FishLab: Axolotl Tank Mates: Dive into an informative article that provides insights into choosing appropriate tank mates for axolotls, focusing on compatible fish and invertebrates.
Water Critters: Axolotl Tankmates: Discover a detailed blog post that explores various tank mate options for axolotls, offering advice on compatible species to create a harmonious aquatic environment.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about axolotls:
What is the lifespan of an axolotl?
Axolotls have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years in captivity, although some individuals can live up to 20 years with proper care.
What do axolotls eat?
Axolotls primarily feed on live or frozen foods such as worms, brine shrimp, and small aquatic invertebrates. They have carnivorous dietary preferences.
Can axolotls regenerate their body parts?
Yes, axolotls are known for their impressive regenerative abilities. They can regrow lost limbs, gills, spinal cord, and even parts of their heart and brain.
Do axolotls require a heater for their tank?
Axolotls are cold-water amphibians and prefer temperatures between 60 to 68°F (15 to 20°C). They do not require a heater if the room temperature falls within this range.
Can axolotls live with other fish species?
Axolotls have specific tank mate requirements due to their docile nature and potential for fin nipping. It is important to choose compatible fish species that are similar in size and temperament to coexist peacefully with axolotls.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.