Reptiles & Amphibians

Axolotl (Mexican Walking Fish): Species Profile

Characteristics, Housing, Diet, and Other Information

Small axolotl pet walking on bottom of tank in profile

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

The axolotl is a type of salamander that is completely aquatic. Unlike most salamanders, they do not undergo metamorphosis from larval to adult form where breathing changes from gills to lungs. Instead, they remain aquatic their entire life. Thus, they are not pets you handle, but they can be quite cute and entertaining to watch. 

Learn more about keeping the axolotl as a pet, including habitat, dietary needs, and behavior.

Species Overview

Common Names: Axolotl, Mexican walking fish

Scientific Name: Ambystoma mexicanum

Adult Size: Between 6 and 18 inches long, though over 12 inches is rare

Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years on average

closeup of an axolotl

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Axolotl Behavior and Temperament

While axolotls are relatively hardy to slight fluctuations in their environment, they also have delicate, soft bodies with permeable skin. In fact, most of their body is made of cartilage rather than bone. That means they should not be handled unless absolutely necessary. And if you do have to move them out of their tank, do so with a fine mesh net that won't entangle any of their body parts.

Once you have their housing setup correct, you generally only have to spend a few hours per week on feeding and cleaning. The rest is simply enjoying them as a quiet aquatic companion. Axolotls tend to be fairly bold and are perfectly content to move about their tank as they're being watched by their humans. Some will come up to the side of their tank when a person is there observing them.

However, they aren’t particularly social animals and don’t require any tank companions. They should not be kept with other species as axolotls might try to eat pet fish, and the fish sometimes nip at them. You even should be cautious about housing them with other axolotls. Juvenile axolotls can be cannibalistic toward one another, so they are best raised in separate enclosures. Adults can potentially be housed together, but still, watch out for cannibalistic tendencies. If a body part gets bitten off by a tank mate, an axolotl actually can regenerate it over time. However, it's still best to avoid this situation altogether.

Watch Now: Axolotls are Cute, But Do They Make Good Pets?

Housing Requirements

At least a 15- to 20-gallon fish tank is recommended for axolotls. Make sure the tank has a secure lid, as it's not uncommon for these animals to try to jump out of their enclosure. A land area is unnecessary in the tank for these fully aquatic animals. At a minimum, the water depth should be slightly more than the length of your axolotl. But adding extra depth will help with water quality and give your animal more room to move.

Some owners opt to leave the bottom of the tank bare, though others believe this might stress the axolotl if it can't get a foothold on the smooth bottom. If gravel is used on the bottom, it must be coarse gravel that's bigger than the axolotl's head. Fine gravel might be ingested and cause an obstruction.

Small white axolotl pet swimming in tank with large rocks and tall vegetation

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Water Conditions

Keep the tank in a cool room away from bright sunlight with the water temperature between 57 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (14 and 20 degrees Celsius); don't allow it to get above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). No special lighting is required for axolotls (unlike many reptiles). In fact, a dark hiding spot, such as a flower pot laid on its side or an aquarium castle, is often appreciated.

Tap water treated with an aquarium water conditioner that removes chlorine and chloramines is fine for axolotls. Never use distilled water, and make sure the pH of the water remains between 6.5 and 7.5. (You can find a water test kit to check at most pet stores.) Most owners find a filtered aquarium is easier to maintain because unfiltered water needs frequent changing to remove waste. However, if you choose to have a filter for axolotl on the tank, the filtration rate should be slow. Powerful filters that create strong currents can stress an axolotl.

For a filtered tank, cleaning typically consists of a 20% water change each week, as well as siphoning waste from the bottom of the tank. If you're not using a filter, you likely will have to do a 20% water change daily or every other day. Never do a full water change, as this can alter the water chemistry too drastically and stress your animal.

Feeding and Nutrition

In the wild, axolotls feed on snails, worms, crustaceans, small fish, and small amphibians. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of brine shrimp, small strips of beef or liver, earthworms, bloodworms, tubifex worms, other frozen fish foods, and commercial fish pellets. Do not feed any worms or fish you caught yourself, as they can carry parasites. In general, no vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary.

White container with small red worms for feeding axolotl

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Consult your veterinarian regarding the amount of food to offer, as well as how often to feed your axolotl, as this varies depending on age and size. In general, many adults take two to three feedings per week. One of the best methods to feed is by holding the food in round-nosed forceps in the tank near the animal. You also can simply drop the food in the water as close to the axolotl as possible. If your axolotl isn't interested in eating much during the day, try feeding it in the evening when it's typically more active. Remove any uneaten food from the tank every day to keep the water clean.

Information on having axolotls as pets

The Spruce / Catherine Song

Common Health Problems

A notable characteristic of axolotls is their regenerative powers. In the case of injuries that aren’t life-threatening, they’re able to regrow their limbs, tail, and even other body parts, such as heart and eye tissue.

But this remarkable ability doesn't protect them from all health issues. Unsanitary tank conditions can lead to viral or bacterial infections, the signs of which include lethargy and a lack of appetite. Plus, ammonia buildup from waste in the tank can be toxic. If this occurs, it can interfere with the respiratory process causing damage to the gills as well as result in neurological damage.

Moreover, axolotls with gravel in their tank that's small enough to eat are prone to gastrointestinal obstructions. If your axolotl experiences an obstruction, it will likely be sluggish and not want to eat. And if it's not promptly treated, death can occur quickly.

Furthermore, axolotls rarely do undergo metamorphosis into a terrestrial form. The reasons for this are poorly understood, though it might have to do with hormones or water characteristics. The metamorphosis can be extremely stressful for an axolotl, and it can significantly shorten its lifespan. If you notice abnormal changes to your animal's body, such as it starting to grow larger, have a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets examine it as soon as possible.

Is It Legal to Own a Pet Axolotl?

Axolotls are illegal to own in some states, including California, Maine, New Jersey, and Virginia. In New Mexico, they are legal to own but illegal to import from other states. Check your local exotic pet laws to verify that you may keep one.

Axolotls are native to Mexico and are considered a critically endangered species due to loss of habitat, declining water quality and urbanization. Thus, they should never be taken from the wild for the pet trade. The vast majority of pet axolotls descend from captive-bred animals that were used for scientific research.

Purchasing Your Axolotl

Expect to pay between $30 and $80 on average for an axolotl. Animals with rare coloring, such as copper, tend to cost more. A healthy axolotl will be active, and it might accept food if you offer it. Its skin shouldn't be flaky, and its body should be somewhat plump (as opposed to underweight), though it shouldn't have any abnormal swelling.

Always acquire an animal from a reputable breeder or rescue group. It's best not to buy an axolotl online or through an ad unless you've spoken directly with the seller, and they're able to provide you with adequate information on the animal. If they can't give you thorough documentation on its origin and health history, that's a red flag. It's also ideal to speak with people who have acquired animals from that seller to uncover any concerns. A local exotic veterinarian could also direct you to a good breeder or rescue.

Similar Species to the Axolotl

If you're interested in similar pets, check out:

Otherwise, check out all of our other reptile and amphibian profiles.

FAQ
  • Do axolotls make good pets?

    Axolotls can make good pets for someone looking to observe rather than interact with a pet. They will engage with humans who come by their tank and are fun to watch in their habitat. They are easy to care for, making them a good pet for someone looking for a lower-responsibility pet.

  • Can you touch an axolotl?

    Because of their delicate, soft bodies, it is best not to touch axolotls in order to keep them safe and unharmed. Only handle them if it's absolutely necessary. If you do need to touch your axolotl, thoroughly wash your hands before and after handling them.

  • How long do axolotls live?

    In captivity, axolotls can live from 10-15 years with proper care, feeding, and habitat maintenance. Their lives in the wild are much shorter, ranging from 5-10 years.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Del Valle, Jacquelyn M, and Heather L Eisthen. Treatment of Chytridiomycosis in Laboratory Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) and Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa). Comparative medicine vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 204-211, 2019. doi:10.30802/AALAS-CM-18-000090

  2. Loh, R. Water Quality Explained: How It Can Affect Your Axolotl's Health. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2015.

  3. Monaghan, James R et al. Experimentally induced metamorphosis in axolotls reduces regenerative rate and fidelityRegeneration (Oxford, England), vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 2-14, 2014. doi:10.1002/reg2.8