Axolotls live a simple life. Unlike other pets with demanding social needs, these amphibians are content to explore their aquarium’s crevices and enjoy the occasional bloodworm treat. They don’t live in groups, and some experienced aquarists even advise against keeping these critically endangered animals together.
Still, if you’re committed to keeping axolotls in pairs, it’s possible with some careful consideration and pre-planning. Here’s what you need to know when deciding to get an axolotl—or two.
Axolotls Are Content to Live Alone
An axolotl’s aquarium should mimic its natural conditions as much as possible. This goes for everything from the water’s temperature to other living things in the tank, such as certain live plants. So, to recreate an axolotl’s native habitat, you wouldn’t pack the tank with other axolotls.
Axolotls are native to two lakes in Mexico: Lake Chalco and Lake Xochimilco. Here, they’ll seldom come into contact with one another except to mate. Today, there are anywhere from 50 to 1,000 of these critically endangered animals in the wild, although there are more than a million in captivity.
Temperament-wise, axolotls are not mean or necessarily antisocial. They just prefer to live by themselves.
Reasons Why Axolotls Are Generally Kept Solo
Accidental egg-laying is a big concern in the world of axolotl-keeping. This is the first reason why many aquarists keep axolotls by themselves or in same-sex pairs. A female axolotl can lay up to 1,500 eggs after mating, and if she mates too frequently, this process can put a lot of stress on her body.
Axolotl Planet notes that female axolotls can only safely reproduce once every six months. Still, a male axolotl will mate with a female as many times as he’s allowed. This can result in thousands of eggs and a diminished quality of life for the female.
Other reasons why axolotls are generally kept alone include:
- They can injure each other. If an axolotl doesn’t get adequate nutrition, it may resort to eating its tankmates’ limbs as a snack. While axolotls can regenerate limbs, this isn’t a process you want your pet to experience. You can prevent your axolotls from injuring each other by ensuring both are adequately fed.
- They can become stressed. Axolotls are territorial, especially in crowded aquariums. This could lead to fights and injuries. It could also lead to stress for the animals, leading to gill shrinkage and refusals to eat.
Tips for Keeping Two Axolotls Together
While keeping two axolotls together isn’t recommended for the faint of heart, it’s possible with some research and planning. First things first: to comfortably house two axolotls, you need an aquarium that’s at least 40 gallons, about 20 gallons per axolotl. Choose an aquarium with a generous base, as axolotls spend most of their time foraging on the tank’s floor.
Some other tips include:
- Investing in tank decorations. Sure, a little plaster sombrero will honor your axolotl’s heritage, but will it offer a safe hiding spot? Axolotls love to hide. Logs, caves, and leaf cover meet this need. They also offer a safe place to retreat if the axolotls need alone time from each other.
- Offering adequate nutrition. Your axolotls should have a regular feeding schedule to prevent them from cannibalizing each other. They need a well-balanced diet of earthworms to thrive.
- Ensuring both axolotls are about the same size. Never keep two axolotls with big size disparities; the bigger one will eat the smaller one! They should be within an inch of each other size-wise.
Keeping Same-Sex Axolotls Reduces Aggression
There’s an inherent power imbalance between male and female axolotls. A sexually mature axolotl will attempt to mate with the female whenever he has the chance, without suffering any risk to his health or longevity. The female, however, will grow weaker every time she lays eggs, eventually resulting in her death. Constant egg-laying, combined with territorial male behavior, makes for a poor quality of life.
To ensure your pets thrive, if you must keep two axolotls, keep them in same-sex pairs. This will reduce the likelihood of aggression, and the two may grow to co-exist peacefully. Keep in mind that axolotls generally do not show anatomical differences between sexes until they’re about 18 months old.
How can you tell male and female axolotls apart? Males have swollen cloaca, vaguely resembling mammalian testicles. If you’re unsure of two axolotls’ sexes, use a tank divider to keep them separated until you can confirm whether they’re male or female. It’s best to err on the side of caution rather than risk fights and accidental egg-laying.
Can Axolotls Live with Other Fish?
The axolotl-keeping community is divided on whether it’s a good idea to keep fish in an axolotl aquarium. Some are adamant that fish may nip at an axolotl’s gills and cause permanent damage. Plecos, for instance, can inflict serious injuries on axolotls. Other aquarists say, “It depends.”
An axolotl will eat whatever it can fit in its mouth, and this could include small fish. While axolotls can eat fish, you don’t want to risk choking or a bowel obstruction. Veterinarians who treat axolotls are few and far between, and you don’t want to risk a veterinary emergency.
Keeping fish in the same tank as an axolotl can also prove challenging for one reason: temperature. Axolotls need chilly water to thrive, usually between 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. For many fish you can buy at your local pet store, this is too cold.
If you’re looking to add something to your axolotl’s aquarium, consider ghost shrimp. These translucent little guys are inexpensive, and unless they walk on your axolotl’s face, they likely won’t get eaten. And even if they do, they’re so small, they likely won’t pose a hazard to your pet.
Axolotls are easy to care for, granted you do your research before getting one!
