Silly Axolotls
Frequently Asked Questions about Axolotls
I get many questions about axolotls time and time again, so the most common ones are put in here.
01
How long does an axolotl live for?
An axolotl in captivity can live for up to 15 years, but the average is about ten. They are a long term commitment.
02
Can I take my axolotl out of the water? Will it walk on land?
Don't do this. I don't care what anybody says. They grow a set of lungs, but if you keep them out of the water for more than a few seconds, you are going to stress them out. They used to grow lungs because they metamorphosed into land salamanders. They do not do this anymore. They have revolved to stay in their larval form. Their legs aren't strong enough to hold them up, and their slime coat and skin is very delicate and easy to damage. Please don't do this to your axolotl. Their skin dries out, and they gasp for breath and panic. Don't be cruel. This is also relevant to my second question:
03
Can I make my axolotl go through metamorphosis with iodine?
No. Do NOT try this. It can be done by scientists, and people who are experts, but it puts the animal through a whole lot of stress and they usually die. Those that successfully go through metamorphosis often die within the year, and have very shortened lifespans. Evolution deemed metamorphosis unnecessary, so axolotls no longer naturally go through this. They are neotenic, meaning they stay in their larval forms forever and reach sexual maturity. They no longer metamorphose, so don't try and force it on them, you'll kill them.
04
How much does an axolotl eat?
That depends entirely on your axolotl. A baby axolotl should eat daily, as much as it can manage. However, as an axolotl gets older, it's metabolism slows down. They can be reduced to feeding every second or even third day, depending on meal size. A healthy axolotl has a stomach as fat as it's head. Aim to have your axolotl like this, but your axolotl will also show less interest in food if it is not particularly hungry. They shouldn't eat themselves to death, but that isn't to say they won't stop when it is good for them.
When I first bought Haku, he was a tiny baby, and ate 30 axolotl pellets, because we believed he would stop when he was full. He got so fat, he couldn't keep both front feet on the floor at the same time. Listen to your axolotl when it tells you it isn't hungry, but don't listen if it never tells you it is full.
05
How do I tell if my axolotl is male or female?
First, is your axolotl under a year old? If so, it is too young to sex. Axolotls reach sexual maturity between 12-18 months, and generally cannot be sexed before then. If your axolotl is around this age, then check the bum area under their tail called the cloaca. There will be a small bumpy opening for a female. For a male, the opening, as well as the surrounding area, will be swollen and there is a visible lump around this area. It can be hard to know for sure until breeding occurs, as some males can develop slower than others. If you are unsure, feel free to send me a picture and I can have a guess.
06
My axolotl is floating/inactive, is it sick?
While floating and inactivity can be a sign of sickness, they are also misleadingly very common behaviour. Axolotls love to float around. They can often be seen to be almost hanging in mid-air, but often have a tiny toetip holding onto a plant or ornament, or are floating at the top of the tank. They often swallow air, and the bubbles can become trapped and make them bouyant. This is fine. The axolotl will come down eventually. A good way to test if an axolotl is floating for fun or an air bubble, or whether it is suffering a sickness such as bloating, is to gently scare the axolotl, making it return to the ground. If it floats back up against it's will, and is still there after many hours, it may be suffering bloating or compaction.
Inactivity is also very common in axolotls, and the less they move, the paler they become. An axolotls colour can vary greatly with periods of activity/inactivity. Axolotls are lazy, and get lazier as they get bigger, so don't be too worried if your peppy juvenile starts turning into a lazy slob.
07
How big does my tank have to be?
Big. An axolotl can grow to 30cms in length, so for a single axolotl, you need a tank of at least 70cms in length, and at least 30cms in width. Height of the tank is not so important, but you don't want to risk them leaping out if it is too low. For every axolotl after that, a good rule is an extra 20cms length.
In American terms, a 20gal breeder is good for one axolotl, and add 10gal per additional axolotl you add.
You don't want to overcrowd your axolotls, some don't mind, but others need space alone. Overcrowding encourages disease and injury, as there isn't enough space to get away from each other. Some axolotls are aggressive, so any tank mates need their own space. Overcrowding also results in high ammonia output, which your filter and weekly water changes won't be able to keep up with.
08
Do I have to separate males from females?
That depends entirely on your intentions. While they aren't sexually mature, they can stay together. Once they are, they can be kept in separate tanks, or in the same tank with a divider, or kept together.
If you do not want them to breed, separate them, but beware, sometimes the males spermatophore can get through the barrier, so keep a watchful eye. If you want them to breed, keep them together and one day they will do it. You can also keep them apart until you are ready for breeding, then introduce them into the same tank. Eggs can be messy if they are unwanted, so if you don't want to deal with it, separate them.
Also, if your female has just bred, separate her, so she can rest. You don't want them laying too much right after one another, as it stresses out her body, and all her energy needs to go to recovering for a few months, before breeding again.
09
10
My axolotl has changed colours/gone pale. Is it dying?
Not likely. Axolotls colour can change from very vibrant brightly coloured gills to ghostly pale, and they can stay pale for a long time. Usually it's related to lighting (natural vs unnatural), bloodflow and periods of activity/inactivity. It is nothing to worry about. If your axolotl changes colour/markings drastically (say wildtype to luecistic) then it a bit more serious, but not necessarily an illness. Email me a picture if you are worried :)