Why Are My Axolotls Despawning (15 Reasons)

If you have axolotls, you’ve probably had a time where one of them despawned. It can be heartbreaking to see your little friend disappear in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry! There are many reasons why this happens and it doesn’t mean that your axolotl is sick or unhappy. 

In fact, sometimes axolotls just need a break from their tankmates (or even their owners). So if any of these things are happening to your axolotl, read on for some tips on how to solve these common problems!

Takeaways
Understanding the reasons behind axolotls’ disappearance is crucial for their conservation.
Factors such as water quality, temperature, and stress can contribute to axolotls despawning.
Insufficient hiding places and inadequate tank conditions can lead to axolotl disappearance.
Disease, predation, and accidental escape are some of the reasons axolotls may go missing.
Regular monitoring, proper care, and a suitable environment can help prevent axolotl despawning.
Seeking veterinary advice and implementing preventive measures can improve axolotl survival.
Educating yourself about axolotl behavior and needs is essential for their well-being.
Creating a safe and stress-free environment is crucial to reduce the risk of axolotl disappearance.
Proper feeding, handling, and minimizing disturbances can help prevent axolotl despawning.
Axolotls require specific water parameters and a balanced diet for optimal health and survival.
Understanding the challenges and taking proactive steps can help ensure axolotl population stability.
Responsible ownership and conservation efforts are essential to protect axolotls from disappearing.

Too Much Light

If you’re like most axolotl owners, you probably want to see your little guys as much as possible. But too much light can cause them to despawn. Axolotls are nocturnal creatures, so they actually need very little light. Too much exposure to the wrong kind of light will stress them out and send them into hiding and eventually, even death.

If you’re looking for a way to keep an eye on your axolotls without causing any harm, consider using a red light like this one from Amazon . Its low wattage won’t bother your axolotls (or give away their location), but it will let you see when they come out at night!

Understanding the reasons behind axolotls’ disappearance is crucial for their conservation. Explore our comprehensive article on the importance of axolotls to gain insights into their ecological significance and the urgent need for their protection.”

Not Enough Light

If you’re not sure how much light your axolotl needs, you can use the 10-hour rule. This means that the animal should have at least 10 hours of light per day.

If you don’t have a light that can be set to a timer and works with dimmers, then you will need to use an aquarium lamp with a dimmer switch. Make sure that the bulb is not too hot as this can burn your axolotl (although it won’t kill them) and damage their skin!

Lighting Solutions
Lighting Type
Natural sunlight
LED lights
Fluorescent lights
Full-spectrum lights
Brand-specific lights
Dimmable lights
UVB lights
Timer-controlled lights
Color-changing lights
Task-specific lights
Smart lighting systems

Not Enough Food

When it comes to axolotls, the biggest concern is that they aren’t getting enough food. They are voracious eaters and will eat as much as you give them. If you want your axolotl to grow at a healthy rate, then make sure you’re giving them all the food they can handle. 

Axolotls need high-quality food in order to thrive and prosper, so be sure not to skimp on this part of their diet. The more worms or other types of meaty treats (like brine shrimp) you feed your pet, the better off he’ll be!

You Took Your Axolotl Out Of The Water

Please don’t take your axolotl out of the water. It is stressful for them and it can easily lead to injury or death. Even if you do it carefully, there are many other dangers that could harm your axolotl. For example:

  • The axolotl may not be able to get back into the water on its own
  • You might drop it onto a hard surface from a height greater than 1 inch (2 cm)
  • Your hand may slip while holding the axolotl and cause injury

Discover the top 10 reasons why axolotls are endangered and the factors contributing to their decline. Visit our article on why axolotls are endangered to delve into the critical challenges faced by these remarkable amphibians and the importance of conservation efforts.

Too Cold!

The most common reason for axolotls to despawn is that they’re too cold. If the temperature of your tank drops below 20 degrees C (around 65 degrees F), your axolotl may die.

You can try raising the temperature in order to save your axolotl by using a heat lamp or heating pad, but if you don’t have any way of keeping things warm enough, it’s better to just start over with new pet axolotls!

Too Hot!

The axolotl’s water is too hot. The temperature of the axolotl’s vivarium should be kept between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius (64-77 degrees Fahrenheit), with 20 being ideal. In the wild, axolotls live in very warm rivers and lakes, but they are accustomed to having a cool place to retreat from the heat if they need it. 

If their enclosure is too warm, an axolotl will become stressed and despawn as a way of escaping from its uncomfortable environment.

The water may be fine but your axolotls aren’t happy with their living conditions. An unheated aquarium is great for keeping tropical fish, but not for raising axolotls or any other cold-blooded animals! 

If your tank isn’t adequately heated by a heater or overhead light source (which will provide heat during nighttime hours), then your aquatic pets might not have enough warmth on cold nights and this could cause them distress as well as make them despawn due to stress

Not Comfortable In Your Home Environment

It’s important to understand that axolotls are not very active animals in the wild. They spend most of their time at the bottom of ponds and lakes, which is why they don’t need much space. 

However, as pets, you’ll need to give them more room so they can move around and get comfortable in their environment!

If your axolotl despawns because it doesn’t have enough room or isn’t comfortable with its surroundings, don’t worry you just have some work to do before things get back on track again!

Axolotls have evolved to thrive exclusively in aquatic environments. Learn why they cannot survive on land and the adaptations that make them unique in our detailed explanation on why axolotls cannot live on land. Gain insights into their physiological limitations and the significance of maintaining their habitat.

The Tank Is Too Small

If you’re reading this because you’re worried about the health of your axolotls, there are a few things that could be causing them to despawn. 

The most common reason is that the tank is too small. An axolotl needs plenty of space and room to move around; otherwise, they can become stressed and stop eating.

Another important reason for despawning is overcrowding in conjunction with not enough food sources (such as algae) in the tank. If there aren’t enough nutrients available for your axolotls’ survival.

Then they won’t grow or reproduce properly and will eventually die off from starvation or disease related causes such as bacterial infections from poor water quality conditions in general terms which may include lack of oxygen levels due to overcrowding at certain times during day light hours so consider keeping only one male per container when breeding these creatures instead before moving onto next step which involves increasing surface area.

By adding more plants/decoration into existing aquariums which means less ammonia/nitrite levels will occur overtime due to increased surface area but still keep using regular filter changes every week even though it might seem like overkill!

Tank Size (Gallons)Suitable for
10Small fish, betta fish
20Small tropical fish, shrimp
30Community fish, small cichlids
40Schooling fish, medium-sized cichlids
55Larger fish species, angelfish, goldfish
75Semi-aggressive fish, larger cichlids
100+Large predatory fish, marine fish

The Tank Is Too Big

The tank is too big. Axolotls are territorial animals, and they need to be able to hide from predators or find food and mates. A tank that’s too big means that the axolotl isn’t able to hide because it’s so exposed. 

It also means that there are no other axolotls around for mating purposes, which can lead to stress on your pet’s part.

A larger tank could also make it harder for you to keep an eye on your pet, which can be dangerous if you don’t know what its habits are or if something goes wrong in the water (like too many toxins). It’s important always have a clean tank when keeping a pet like this one!

Unhappy With Its Tank Mate/Mates

If your axolotl despawns in its tank, it could be because it’s stressed out by another animal in the tank. There are a few ways to tell if this is the case:

Look for signs of injury on your axolotl, such as scrapes or cuts on its body. This could be from fighting with other animals or fish in the tank.

Note how excited your axolotl gets when you come home from work and feed it—if it seems especially excited, this might mean that it gets along well with another animal or fish (and vice versa).

Curious about where axolotls live in the wild? Explore our informative article on the natural habitat of axolotls to uncover their native range, the specific aquatic ecosystems they inhabit, and the implications of their disappearance from these regions.

A Stressful Home Environment For The Axolotl

It’s important to note that stress is a major cause of axolotl despawning. Stress comes in many forms, such as changes to their environment, food supply and tank mates.

If you add new plants or decorations into your tank without thoroughly cleaning them first, you may be introducing harmful chemicals into the water that could harm your axolotls. 

If this happens often enough over time it can cause them to despawn because they’re stressed out by all the changes happening around them!

Another common source of stress is moving from one tank to another frequently; after each move they’ll need some time for their bodies and minds to adjust before being placed back into another temporary home (like an aquarium). 

This kind of moving around will also make any existing illnesses worse if there are any bacteria or parasites on their bodies already which should be treated immediately before introducing new fish into their system because otherwise those problems might spread quickly through all other living things living inside one small space together.”

Your Filtration System Sucks

If you have a small filtration system, then it could be too small for your tank. If this is the case, then you’ll need to either upgrade your filter or add another one.

If your filtration system is too big, then it will create more waste by pushing around more water than necessary. 

You can solve this problem by cutting down on the amount of debris and plants in your tank (which would make it easier to clean) or by upgrading to a larger filter that matches how much waste is produced by your axolotls’ current size and diet.

It’s also possible that your axolotl despawned because its tank was not kept clean enough during the period in which they were spawning (when they need an exceptionally clean tank). 

This may be due to clogs in the pipes leading from the aquariums into their home filters; if this has happened repeatedly over time, then perhaps consider installing better equipment like UV sterilizers so as not only keep things flowing smoothly but also kill any bacteria before they cause problems later on down the line when we’re trying again!

The Substrate Has Sharp Edges That Hurt Your Axolotl When It Moves Around On It

The substrate is the bottom of your tank, and it should be smooth and without sharp edges. If it has jagged edges, they can hurt your axolotl when it moves around on them. It should also not be too hard or soft; if you’re using gravel, for example, make sure that it’s fine enough that your axolotl won’t get hurt when swimming against its surface.

Substrate TypeDescription
Fine sandSmooth texture, gentle on axolotl’s skin
Bare bottomNo substrate, eliminates risk of injury
Smooth river rocksRounded edges, provides a natural look
Aquatic carpet plantsSoft and non-abrasive, adds aesthetic value
Marimo moss ballsSoft and non-scratchy, natural filtration benefits
Brand-specific cushioned matsSpecifically designed to provide a soft surface for axolotls
Natural clay pelletsSoft and smooth, suitable for bottom-dwelling axolotls
Smooth gravel or pebblesRounded edges, prevents abrasion on axolotl’s skin
PVC tiles or matsNon-toxic, cushioned surface, easy to clean
Rubberized substrateSoft and shock-absorbing, gentle on axolotl’s sensitive skin
Smooth ceramic tilesNon-abrasive, allows easy cleaning and maintenance

You Are Too Far Away

If you are too far away from your axolotl, it will despawn. Axolotls can only be seen and heard when they are within a certain distance of the player’s avatar. If an axolotl is outside of range for too long, it will despawn and disappear forever.

It’s important to remember that if you have more than one axolotl in your tank and they’re not close enough together, only one of them will spawn at any given time.

The mesmerizing coloration of axolotl skin has captivated many enthusiasts. Dive into the fascinating world of axolotl pigmentation with our comprehensive guide on the color of axolotl skin, where we explore the science behind their vibrant hues, patterns, and the factors that influence their unique appearances.

You’re In The Ominous Banner Biome

If you find yourself in the Ominous Banner biome, it’s time to get out. This is a dangerous place for axolotls: it’s full of predators (like turtles) and aggressive axolotls (like slimes). Axolotls who stray into this biome can also be harmed by lava, which is present there in abundance.

If your axolotl despawns while in Ominous Banner territory and doesn’t return, it’s likely that he was eaten by another creature or burnt by the lava present there. If you want to avoid this happening again, make sure you stay away from this particular region of the map at all times.

Your Home Isn’t Secure

If you have pets or children, make sure they don’t disturb your axolotl’s tank. Axolotls are skittish creatures and can easily become stressed if they’re constantly being chased around by one of your pets or kids. 

The same goes for making sure that the tank isn’t easily accessible from the floor; if it’s sitting on a table, then make sure no one will knock it over and cause damage to the axolotl inside.

The Axolotl’s Cage Is Broken

If you find an injured or dead axolotl in your tank, there’s a good chance that it was escaping from its cage. If other fish are present in the tank, they may be eating the eggs by accident or on purpose.

Cage MaterialDescription
Glass aquariumsSturdy and transparent, provides excellent visibility
Acrylic tanksLightweight and durable, impact-resistant
PVC enclosuresStrong and water-resistant, customizable
Fiberglass tanksTough and long-lasting, suitable for larger axolotls
Brand-specific terrariumsDesigned specifically for axolotls, durable construction
Stainless steel enclosuresResistant to corrosion, easy to clean
Polycarbonate cagesImpact-resistant and lightweight
HDPE habitatsHigh-density polyethylene cages, resistant to cracking and warping
Custom-built enclosuresTailored to specific requirements, ensures durability

You Have Too Many Axolotls In One Cage

The first step to solving this problem is to get rid of any axolotls that you don’t need. If you have a lot of them, it’s best to split them up into smaller groups. This way, they won’t be overcrowded and they can feel more comfortable and less stressed.

If you’ve already done this, then there may be another reason why your axolotl despawns: their tankmates are scaring them away! Axolotls are social animals who like being around other amphibians and fish as well as other axolotls (although not too many). 

They also enjoy having plants in their tanks because these help provide shelter from predators like birds or fish. If you want your axolotl to stay happy for a long time, make sure that its habitat has enough space for all its inhabitants’ needs – including plenty of plants!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why your axolotl might be despawning. The best thing to do is try to figure out which one it is and then fix that problem. Hopefully this has given you some insight into what could be wrong with your pet. Good luck!


Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on axolotls and their conservation:

Why Are the Axolotls Endangered?: Explore this article to understand the factors contributing to the endangered status of axolotls and the importance of conservation efforts.

What Is an Axolotl and Why Are They Endangered?: Learn more about axolotls, their unique characteristics, and the reasons behind their endangered status through this informative blog post.

Axolotl: Visit the San Diego Zoo’s website to discover detailed information about axolotls, their biology, habitat, and conservation status.

FAQs

How are axolotls affected by habitat loss?

Habitat loss poses a significant threat to axolotls. As their natural habitats, such as wetlands and lakes, are destroyed or polluted, axolotl populations decline due to the loss of suitable breeding and feeding grounds.

What are the main factors contributing to axolotl decline?

Axolotl decline can be attributed to various factors, including water pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, illegal pet trade, and climate change. These factors collectively impact their survival and lead to their endangered status.

Can axolotls regenerate body parts?

Yes, axolotls are famous for their incredible regenerative abilities. They have the remarkable capability to regrow lost body parts, including limbs, spinal cord, heart, and even parts of their brain.

How long do axolotls live in the wild?

In their natural habitat, axolotls have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. However, due to the decline in wild populations, their longevity may be significantly affected.

Are axolotls a threatened species?

Yes, axolotls are classified as a critically endangered species in the wild. Their population has significantly declined over the years, primarily due to human activities and environmental changes.