You want to buy an axolotl, but you are not sure which tank is the right one?
A single Axolotl should live in a 20 gallons or in a at least 24 inches long tank. The tank for two Axolotl should be 48 inches long with a volume around 40 to 55 gallons.
For each additional axolotl you should increase the volume of the tank by 10-gallons. For Axolotl tanks, the floor space is most important, shallow aquariums with as large a floor space are the best choice.
How many axolotls can you keep in which tank size?
| Number of Axolotls | Recommended Tank Size in inches (LxWxH) | in Liters and cm |
| 1 Axolotl | at least 20 gallons – 24x12x16 Tank* | 100 Liters – 80x35x40 cm |
| 2 Axolotl | 40 to 55 gallons – 48x13x21 Tank* | 150 to 200 Liters – 100x50x40 cm |
| 3 Axolotl | 55 to 75 gallons – 48x18x21 Tank* | 150 to 250 Liters – 120x50x40 cm |
| 4 Axolotl | 75 to 90 gallons – 48x18x24 Tank | 250 to 350 Liters – 140x50x40 cm |
| 5 Axolotl | 90 to 100 gallons – 48x18x30 Tank | 300 to 400 Liters – 150x50x50 cm |
Young Axolotls that are not fully grown need less space, but once an Axolotl is between 9 and 18 inches, you should use the above aquarium sizes as a guide.
For each additional Axolotl you should add 10-gallons extra water volume. The height of the aquarium is not decisive, but the floor space, since Axolotls spend most of their time on the ground.
What is the minimum tank size for a single Axolotl
A single Axolotl should live in a 20 gallon tank, which is at least 24 inches long. For Axolotls, it is not necessarily the volume of the aquarium that is important, but rather how large the floor space is. Axolotls tend to stay at the bottom, so shallow tanks with the largest possible floor space are best for them.
Tank size for two Axolotls
Even though you can keep axolotls alone without any problems, you may want to keep two of them. In that case, they should live in a 40 to 55 gallon tank that is around 48 inches long.
To make sure that your two axolotls get along, they should have enough hides. Also the size difference between them should not be more than 1 inch, otherwise the larger axolotl could see the smaller one as prey.
Why a larger tanks are usually better
If you have the choice between a smaller or larger aquarium, you should go with the larger one as it has several advantages:
Axolotls prefer more space
In general, the more space your axolotls have, the happier they will be. A bigger tank is especially beneficial if you have young axolotls that have not yet abandoned their cannibalistic tendencies, it helps if they have a bit more space.
Better water requirements
In general, larger tanks are more stable than smaller ones thanks to their higher water volume, whether it’s water values such as pH or temperature.
Axolotls excrete a lot of nitrogen and ammonia in their feces, which can be dangerous for them if it accumulates in the water and is not removed by the filter. In larger tanks, the axolotl’s excretion products are more diluted than in smaller tanks due to the high volume of water alone, so it takes longer for the thresholds to be reached.
Larger aquariums stay cooler in summer
Water temperature is extremely important for axolotls, as they become ill from temperatures that are too high. The tank should never be above 68˚F (20˚C) for any length of time. If your tank gets too hot in the summer, here is an article with all the methods you can use to cool it back down.
Small volumes of water heat up much faster than larger ones, so by having a larger tank you can keep your Axolotl cool in the summer.
What is the best location for your axolotl tank?
Things to consider when choosing a location for your aquarium. The aquarium should…
- be placed on a stable tank cabinet.
- not be placed next to the radiator or in direct sunlight.
- be placed in the coolest room possible.
Your tank should be placed on a stable tank cabinet that can support the weight of the filled and fully set up aquarium without any problems. Additionally, be careful not to place your aquarium next to a radiator or other heat sources. If you have the choice between different rooms or floors for the location of your Axolotl tank, you should always go for the coolest place. In a house, the ground floor or basement is a better place for an Axolotl tank than the room under the roof.
Also, if possible, your aquarium should not be in direct sunlight. Axolotls do not like bright and direct light and feel much more comfortable with dimmed lighting. Sunlight can also lead to additional algae growth in the tank.
How to set up your axolotl tank?
Before you buy your Axolotl, your aquarium should already be set up. Additionally, it is important that your aquarium is already “cycled“.
After you have equipped your tank with everything, added water and the filter is running, it takes some time until the water parameters stabilize. Over time, helpful bacteria that break down dangerous excreta from the Axolotl’s feces will multiply. For example, various bacteria convert the harmful ammonia into harmless nitrate over a number of steps.
Therefore you should not put your Axolotl directly into a freshly set up tank! Depending on how big your tank is, it can take a few weeks until the appropriate bacteria ecosystem is built up.
Usually it takes 4 to 6 weeks, but if your aquarium is very large, it can take up to 12 weeks.
Click here for a step-by-step guide for setting up and cycling your tank until your new Axolotl can move in.
Important equipment for your first Axolotl tank:
| Equipment | |
| Aquarium | for 1 Axolotl: 20 gallon Tank* for 2 Axolotl: 40 to 55 gallon Tank* |
| Filter | Canister Filter* or Hang-on-Back Filter* |
| Substrate | 20 to 40 lbs (10 to 20 kg) of fine Aquarium gravel* or sand* |
| Decoration and Plants | Hides*, Java fern* and Anubias* |
| Food | for young Axolotl: live food, like Brine Shrimp* or microworms for adult Axolotl: earthworms* or Axolotl pellets* |
| Aquarium Water Test | Water test kit* and Thermometer* |
| Aquarium Cleaning Supplies | Gravel vacuum cleaner*, Bucket*, Magnetic aquarium cleaner* |
| Possibly Aquarium Cooling | Aquarium cooling fan* or Aquarium chillers* |
Even though many freshwater aquariums use sponge filters, it is better to use Canister Filters or Hang-on-Back-Filters. These filters have a strong biological filtration and thus can break down more of the harmful excreta of the axolotl, such as ammonia.
You should also be careful with the substrate. Since axolotl feed by sucking their prey into their mouth, they often also eat substrate. The Axolotl will spit out most of it, but a small part is swallowed and moves with the food through the digestive tract.
Therefore the substrate should not have sharp edges, which can injure the Axolotl from the inside during digestion!
Round fine gravel or sand is the best choice, with grain sizes between 1/25 and 3/32 inches (1 and 3mm).
Axolotls need not only a large tank but also hides, such as caves or tunnels, where they can retreat. Plants additionally provide a natural environment and shade.
Young axolotls will only eat live food such as daphnia, brine shrimp or microworms, when they are still very small. Half-grown axolotls can then be slowly accustomed to pellet food or fed earthworms.
To ensure that the water parameters in your tank remain stable, you should buy a water test kit and clean your aquarium regularly.
How exactly you should clean your Axolotl aquarium and how often, you can find out in our cleaning guide.
If you notice that the temperature in your aquarium rises above 68˚F (20˚C), you need to cool down the water with an aquarium cooling fan or chiller.
Aquarium chillers are much more expensive than aquarium cooling fan, but they can cool down larger volumes of water by more degrees than cooling fans, which mainly work with evaporative cooling.
Conclusion
If you make sure that all your axolotls have enough space and you give your new tank enough time until all parameters have stabilized before you put in your new axolotls, they will have a happy life.