Axolotl As A Pet: The Ultimate Guide To Caring For Your Axolotl

Written by Hailey Pruett
Updated: September 22, 2023
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Axolotls are incredibly unique amphibians native to just one small area in Mexico City. Thankfully, their populations have increased through conservation and their popularity in the pet trade! In recent years, axolotls have become well-loved pets amongst herpetology hobbyists.

But how do you care for these bizarre animals, and do they make good pets for beginners and experts alike?

Let’s explore how to keep axolotls in captivity below, from the costs of their care to everything you’ll need for them, like their enclosure, water filters, substrate, and more.

We’ll also touch on what the axolotl pet should eat to stay healthy and happy.

Do Axolotls Make Good Pets?

pink axolotl "smiling"

Though they can be somewhat challenging pets, axolotls are becoming very common in the pet trade.

©iStock.com/izanbar

The Axolotl pet can make great pets, but they aren’t ideal for beginner pet owners who have no experience with keeping amphibians. They can’t be handled or removed from the water, and they must be housed in 20+ gallon tanks with treated, filtered water to survive. Though they can tolerate slight shifts in temperature and water quality from time to time, they have extremely sensitive skin.

Of course, this isn’t to say that beginners can’t necessarily keep axolotls as pets. Just be advised that they are far from the easiest amphibians to keep in captivity! Aside from having sensitive skin, their bodies are made of soft cartilage rather than bone. This makes them quite fragile to injuries and illnesses.

Another important thing to note is it can be difficult to find exotic pet veterinarians willing to treat pet axolotls. Due to pet axolotls’ rarity and their unusual biological qualities, many vets simply don’t have enough knowledge or experience with them to dedicate time to treating them professionally.

Although the axolotl pet, like many amphibians, has regenerative qualities, they are still quite vulnerable to various infections and illnesses often caused by improper care.

Their water must be kept at a certain temperature and filtered constantly. You should also be comfortable with handling brine shrimp and worms, as they will ideally make up the bulk of your axolotl’s diet.

Finally, be sure to check the legality of axolotls as pets in your state or country. California, Maine, New Jersey, and Virginia all notably prohibit the ownership of them. Additionally, they are legal in New Mexico, but it is illegal to import them from other states.

Some locations also require permits to own axolotls. And make sure you adopt your axolotl pet from a reputable amphibian/reptile/exotic pet breeder rather than a pet shop!

In general, breeders tend to be more knowledgeable and engage in more ethical practices than chain pet stores.

How Much Do Pet Axolotls Cost?

leucistic axolotl

You’ll be able to purchase an axolotl quite cheaply from most reputable breeders.

©Meggyn Pomerleau/Shutterstock.com

The cost of a single axolotl pet ranges from around $20 to $70. This largely depends on the color and morph or variation you purchase, as some are far rarer and more difficult to breed than others. Certain rare or unusual variants like leucistic, lavender or piebald axolotls can cost over $100. 

Keep in mind this is only one part of the total cost of your axolotl’s care. Other likely costs include an enclosure, a water filter, substrate, vet visits, and food.

In general, thanks to their recent popularity in the pet trade, the axolotl pet is fairly inexpensive to purchase. They are commonly sold by amphibian and reptile breeders for low prices, usually less than $100 each, unless the pet axolotl is a particularly rare variant.

Adorable little Axolotl among the plants in the aquarium.

©Alex inkfusion/Shutterstock.com

However, the axolotl itself is only a small part of the total cost of caring for and housing one of these animals. They can live for over 10 years in captivity, making them fairly long-term exotic pets. Their initial enclosure setup usually costs somewhere between $200 and $400 for a tank, water filter, substrate, and potentially tank decorations.

It is also important to keep in mind the recurring costs of caring for an axolotl. This includes food, substrate, vet check-ups, and potential treatments for illnesses or injuries. You may need to replace your water filter over time.

You’ll also need to repair or replace or enclosure if it leaks or you accidentally damage it. It’s a good idea to keep a “pet fund” for your axolotl on hand to deal with any emergencies as they come.

What Do Pet Axolotls Need?

Coolest Animals: Axolotl

Axolotl enclosures are quite simple to set up and maintain, though they require frequent cleanings.

©Spok83/Shutterstock.com

You’ll need to keep your axolotl in an aquarium enclosure with slightly cooler than room temperature water, a water filter, substrate, and very minimal tank decor. They do best in 20+ gallon enclosures and should live alone, as they can be territorial.

Compared to most other common pet amphibians, the enclosure setup for an axolotl pet is fairly minimal. Aside from substrate and a hiding spot or two, they don’t need much furnishings. In fact, their skin is so sensitive that their enclosures shouldn’t contain any objects with sharp or textured surfaces.

The most important part of your axolotl pet tank is the temperature and condition of the water. Axolotls are fairly cool-water animals, faring best in water with a range of 60F to 65F. Additionally, you’ll need to treat the water in their enclosure with a water conditioner. This will remove harmful substances like chlorine and make it safe for their sensitive gills and skin. The water’s pH level should be between 6.5 and 7.5 at all times.

Your axolotl’s tank will also benefit from a slow-moving water filter. Changing the water completely can stress them out, so partial water changes weekly are preferable. Be sure to spot-clean the tank daily for waste and uneaten food.

The bottom of your axolotl’s tank should have a thin layer of substrate, ideally very fine, aquarium-safe sand or large, smooth river rocks. Your axolotl may accidentally consume substrates like gravel and pebbles.

If you opt for tank decor, be very careful and selective about it! Again, anything with sharp edges or rough surfaces can be dangerous, and you should also avoid anything small enough for your axolotl to accidentally swallow.

What Do Axolotls Eat?

What Do Axolotls Eat
Axolotls can eat a variety of small, aquatic worms and insects.

Axolotls are carnivores. In captivity, they should primarily eat brine shrimp, water fleas, worms such as nightcrawlers and blackworms, and a small amount of raw beef and liver. Commercial pellet food is also available from pet shops and online retailers.

When it comes to your pet axolotl’s feeding schedule, offer them as much as they’ll eat in a 5-to-10-minute period two to three times a week. Babies and juveniles can eat slightly more often, or roughly every other day. Axolotls need a few “off days” from eating to digest their food, so daily feedings aren’t necessary.

The best way to feed an axolotl is to simply drop small pieces of food directly into its tank. Keep any food items smaller than the width of the space between the axolotl’s eyes to prevent choking or digestive issues. To avoid directly handling their food, use tweezers or forceps.

You can get your axolotl’s attention by lightly tapping the side of the tank or gently waving the food near their face to let them know it’s time to eat.

Interesting Facts About The Axolotl

  1. They will always look like babies. Axolotls are neotenic creatures. Many amphibians develop lungs and live on land, but they keep their external gills and will always remain aquatic.
  2. Their body parts regenerate. While some amphibians are able to regenerate their limbs and tails, the axolotl can regenerate its spinal cord, ovary, lung tissue, jaw, and skin. They are even able to do this with parts of their brain and heart and continue to do so for life.
  3. The axolotl is endangered in the wild. Due to pollution, invasive species, and over-development, their habit is in decline. Scientists estimated that their numbers had gone down by 90% and in 2015 they were believed to have been extinct in the wild.

Do Axolotls Recognize Their Owners?

Axolotls are thought to be rather intelligent for amphibians and are able to understand their owners’ voices.

©Iva Dimova/Shutterstock.com

Axolotls are highly intelligent amphibians and some studies suggest that they are capable of not only counting up to three but of recognizing their owners, as well as different shapes and organisms. They have even illustrated different reactions to their owners than they do to strangers, which shows that they are able to differentiate between what is familiar and unfamiliar to them.

These amphibians are also able to understand their person’s voice, or voices. When axolotl owners speak to their adorable tiny pets, they are known to react by swimming toward them and socializing with them.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/izanbar


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About the Author

Hailey "Lex" Pruett is a nonbinary writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering reptiles and amphibians. They have over five years of professional content writing experience. Additionally, they grew up on a hobby farm and have volunteered at animal shelters to gain further experience in animal care. A longtime resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, Hailey has owned and cared extensively for a wide variety of animals in their lifetime, including cats, dogs, lizards, turtles, frogs and toads, fish, chickens, ducks, horses, llamas, rabbits, goats, and more!

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