As a newbie to keeping axolotls, are you wondering if axolotls can live together as tank mates? Emphatically yes, they can. Axolotls are a lot of fun to have as a pet. Their unique appearance and interesting behaviors make them fascinating creatures to observe.
Keeping axolotls is a fun activity but it requires some knowledge and attention to detail.
As a newbie, you will need to understand their basic care requirements, behaviors, habitat setup, and even symptoms of sickness. This way, you will be able to stay ahead of the game.
Contents
Can Axolotls Live Together?
Yes, axolotls can live together as long as they have enough space and are of the same size. So far, axolotls make good tank mates to one another since other species of amphibians may show aggression tendencies.
Now that you know axolotls can live together without issues, should you keep a male and female together or not?
Can I Keep a Male and Female Axolotl?
Generally, the male species of any animal tend to be more aggressive in nature than the females. But this aggression is often displayed towards other males of the same species as a way of marking or defending their territory.
When different genders of the same species of animal are kept together, there is a high tendency for them to breed.
Therefore, when a male and female axolotl are kept together, they will breed, and their young ones are not easy to care for. Since it’s difficult to raise babies/juvenile axolotls, especially newbies, keeping a male and female axolotl together is not advisable. The babies may die if not properly cared for.
On the contrary, you can try if you want to breed them. Do not forget to do thorough research to successfully breed and take good care of baby axies.
Can You Keep Two Male Axolotls Together?
Yes, you can. But you should not try it. If you must keep two male axolotls together in the same tank, ensure the tank is big enough to allow each one to have their spot in the tank. Male axolotls can act aggressively towards each other.
So if space is very limited, you might see some snapping behavior at feeding time, which can lead to injuries. Also, when they are hungry, they can start to eat each other’s limbs.
Can You Keep an Adult and a Baby Axolotl?
Keeping an adult and a baby axolotl together in one tank is what you should never do. These are two unequal sizes of animals. Axolotls feed on animals that are smaller than them – it can be fish, shrimps, worms, or even smaller axolotls.
So your smaller axolotl will end up as a snack to the bigger one. In addition, smaller axolotls kept together with adults tend to become stressed and have a weak immune system.
Can Baby Axolotls Live Together?
As long as they are about the same size and age, you can keep them together. But note that axolotls are not social species – so they do not need tank mates to keep them healthy or happy. Also, when keeping two axolotls together, ensure to provide them with a large tank.
Can Adult Axolotls Be Together?
Yes, you can keep adult axolotls together. But as stated earlier, ensure they are of the same size, the tank is big enough, and that they are both well-fed. The feeding responses of axolotls might vary greatly.
Some axolotls can tell the difference between food items, while others will eat whatever moves or gets close enough. Keep in mind that adult axolotls can nibble on each other’s limbs, especially when they are hungry.
To avoid this, provide them with lots of hiding places. Besides distracting them with hides so they don’t attack one another always, visual barriers help to reduce stress.
How Many Axolotls Can I Keep Together?
It depends on the size of the tank/pond/aquarium. For a 10-gallon tank, not more than two (2) axolotls are allowed. Of course, you know if you have an outdoor pond where you intend to raise several of them, you can have more than three. But they must be about the same size.
Keeping many axolotls together is a lot of work. First, you must always keep an eye on them to ensure they aren’t snacking on one another. Secondly, you must ensure their tank is large enough to accommodate them conveniently, and as mentioned earlier, they all must be about the same size/age.
How Big Should a Tank Be for 2 Axolotls?
The ideal minimum tank capacity for a mature/adult axolotl should be about 20 gallons – although a 10-gallon tank will suffice. For juveniles, it should not be less than 10 gallons.
If you decide to keep two or more axolotls together, you’ll need a 50 or 75-gallon tank. A tank of this size will keep your axolotls the space and freedom they need.
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Tips for Keeping Multiple Axolotls in the Same Tank
To be successful at keeping many axolotls in the same tank, you must do the following:
- Provide them with a big tank with lots of floor space. Avoid housing many axolotls in a small tank.
- Provide lots of places to hide and feel comfortable. This will help them get distracted with other things rather than nibble on each other. Note that hides block out excess light and help to reduce stress.
- Even with all these things, proper feeding is very important. Feed all of them well since this will help keep them away from others. They tend to eat each other’s limbs when they are hungry.
- Only keep axolotls of the same size and of the same sex. Avoid keeping males and females together unless you are planning to breed them.
- Maintain clean and cool water. Read about their ideal temperature requirements and how to set up their habitat.
Final Sentences
Axolotls are solitary creatures. They are not naturally designed to live in groups, and they won’t get lonely. When kept with other axolotls, they consider their tank mates as food.
So if you must have more than one axolotl, you must get at least a 10-gallon tank for them, and do not keep two axolotls of the opposite sex together – they will breed.