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amphibianintermediate
Axolotl
Ambystoma mexicanum
The permanently smiling, feathery-gilled water salamander that never grows up — an alien-looking aquatic pet from Mexico City's ancient canals.
9–12 in10–15 years
Habitat
Enclosure
20 gal minimum per adult
Temperature
60–64°F — cool, no heater
Humidity / Water
Fully aquatic · cool water
Heating & lighting
NO heater — cool 60-64°F water is essential, chillers or cool rooms in summer. Bare or fine-sand substrate so nothing gets swallowed, gentle filtration with no strong current.
Diet
Feed these
- Earthworms and nightcrawlers
- Sinking axolotl pellets
- Frozen bloodworms
- Soft-bellied shrimp
Never feed
- Any fish — eaten or gill-nipping them
- Warm water above 70°F — stress and death
- Gravel they can swallow — impaction
Feed every 2-3 days with tongs. They regenerate lost limbs and recognize hand-feeding routines — a prehistoric creature that learns yours.
Cohabitation
Can live with
No one — house this species alone.
Never house with
Tropical fish Goldfish — incompatible temperature and nips axolotl gills Other axolotls of different sizes
Keep alone — axolotls eat anything that fits and other fish nip their delicate gills.
