Tank Mates

YES; however it is limited to species only. You can house axolotls together but there are some things you need to know before doing this. 

Note: It is recommended that if you are purchasing two juvenile axolotls that you separate them once they turn 6 months of age.  Axolotls become sexually mature between 6-18 months. Therefore, you should keep them separated until you are sure they are the same gender.

Can axolotls have tank mates?

  1. They have to be the same gender.  

    Why?  Because once sexually mature, males and females will breed. They do not know when to stop breeding. Females should not be bred more than twice a year.  It can lower the females immune system and she could become very ill and it could result in death.  Because of this we strongly encourage you to start off with just one juvenile axolotl unless you house them separately. Gender can become obvious between 6-18 months of age.  

  2. Minimum requirements need to be met.  

    You will want 20 gallons per axolotl, but you can get by with 20 gallons for one and 10 more for each additional axolotl.

     

  3. Ensure that they are well fed.

    This is important because if they are hungry they will nip each others limbs thinking it is food. 

  4. Provide adequate hiding places.  

    Axolotls like to hide so it is important that you provide them ample hiding places. For multiple axolotls, this is for their comfort.  This could include plants, hides, or anywhere they can go to hide and relax. 

  5. Ensure proper filtration.  

    When housing multiple axolotls we like to add additional filtration to help with the added bio load. Axolotls tend to excrete a lot of waste and the filtration should match the waste and not the amount of water that your tank will hold.

     

  6. NO FISH, SNAILS, PLECOS, ETC!!

    Why? There are several reasons that this is just not a safe practice. They can bring diseases into your tank and get your axolotls sick.  Your axolotls can and will eat anything they can vacuum into their mouths, and they can become impacted.  Other aquatic species also may peck at and injure your axolotl.