Although Axolotls are peaceful and non-territorial animals, an Axolotl tank is not a good environment for most fish and aquatic animals, even if at first glance there is nothing to prevent socialization.
Sharing a tank with other species creates hazards for the axolotl such as injury, stress, and transmissible diseases or parasites.
Keeping Axolotls with other species in the same tank is generally difficult, but there are some animals that should never be kept together with an Axolotl. Here is a list of animals that are better avoided for an Axolotl tank:
What fish should never be kept with axolotls?
Axolotls are not compatible with most fish, small fish quickly become a snack and with larger carnivorous fish there is a risk that the axolotl itself will become the prey. Since it is impossible to list every single type of fish with which Axolotl should not be housed together, here is a list of different types of fish with which Axolotl should never share a tank.
1. Tropical or Warm-water fish
Many aquarium fish require water temperatures that are far outside the tolerance level of an Axolotl. These fish should never be kept in an Axolotl tank, as the temperatures will always be too warm or too cold for one species. Water temperatures that are permanently above 68˚F (20˚C) or even 71˚F (22˚C) can cause heat stress in the Axolotl and make it more susceptible to diseases.
Tropical or Warm-water fish include Neon Tetras, Mollies, Platys, Ember- and Silvertip tetras, Dwarf rasbora, Freshwater angelfish, Discus fish and Kuhli loach.
2. Predatory fish
Axolotls are not particularly defensible animals, they do not have spines or a hard exoskeleton, nor are they fast swimmers. As a result, they can quickly fall prey to carnivorous fish and be eaten.
In their natural environment, axolotls have few predators; most are birds. But due to the spread of invasive fish species such as carp and perch, and pollution, axolotl populations in the wild have been greatly reduced.
Therefore it is obvious that they should not be kept in a tank with fish that see the axolotl as a potential prey.
3. Territorial or aggressive fish
Axolotls are non-territorial and peaceful animals, fish that defend their territory or exhibit aggressive behavior are not good tank mates for them. At best it stresses the axolotl and at worst it injures it. Two examples of such fish are cichlids and Siamese fighting fish.
4. Bottom dwellers in the aquarium
Because bottom dwelling fish stay in the same area as the Axolotl, they can quickly get in each other’s way and stress each other out.
5. Very active fish
Since Axolotls are relaxed crepuscular and nocturnal animals, they can be easily disturbed by fish that are very active and keep them from sleeping during the day.
Below are specific fish species and why it is not a good idea to keep them with Axolotl.
Can I keep Axolotl with Siamese fighting fish?
Siamese fighting fish and axolotls should never be kept together. Male Siamese fighting fish are both territorial and aggressive and should generally only be kept alone, with females or with well-chosen tank mates. Female Siamese fighting fish are also not a good choice to keep with an Axolotl, they can be kept in groups but will form a hierarchy among themselves and fight for their place. In an axolotl tank, they would probably attack the axolotl or nibble on its gills because they are carnivores.
In addition, Siamese fighting fish are tropical fish and require water temperatures of 75 to 86°F (24 to 30 °C), which is far outside the tolerance limit of an axolotl.
Can you keep axolotls with goldfish?
The idea of keeping goldfish and axolotls together doesn’t sound so far-fetched at first, after all they need similar water temperatures.
Unfortunately this does not mean that goldfish are good tank mates for axolotls. Young goldfish run the risk of being eaten by the axolotl, adult goldfish on the other hand can grow to between 13 and 16 inches (35 and 40 cm) and thus pose a danger to the axolotl. Since they are omnivores, they will not stop at the gills of the Axolotl, which can lead to injuries and stress.
In addition, there is the danger that the axolotl can injure itself if it tries to swallow a goldfish that is actually too big for it.
Also goldfish produce a lot of feces, which can lead to increased ammonia levels, to compensate for this you would need a stronger filter.
Can I keep axolotls with armored or callus catfish?
Although armored and callus catfish are usually rather small fish in the tank, they can be very dangerous for axolotls. They have a defensive spine on the pectoral and dorsal fins and if the Axolotl tries to eat them it would injure itself or the fish would get wedged in its mouth.
Can you keep axolotl with Dwarf suckers?
Dwarf suckers are peaceful fish that feed mainly on soft algae buildup growing on wood and plants. Nevertheless, they should not be kept together with axolotls.
Since Dwarf suckers are smaller than armored and callus catfishes at maximum of 2 inches (1 to 4 cm), axolotls may see them as easy prey. But they also have spines, which they can raise in case of danger and thus cause injuries to the axolotl.
Can you keep axolotls with catfish?
In general, you should not keep axolotls with catfish of any kind. Since they occupy the same habitat in the aquarium, they will quickly get in each other’s way. In addition, most catfish have sharp dorsal and pectoral fins or spines that they can use to defend themselves, which can quickly cause injury to the Axolotl.
Can you keep Axolotl with perch fish?
You should definitely refrain from keeping them with perches. Perch are predatory fish and usually good hunters, which would see the Axolotl as easy prey.
Can I keep Axolotl with loaches?
Axolotls should not be kept with loaches either. They have a spike under their eyes, which they can raise in case of danger. Thereby there is the danger that the Axolotl hurts itself, if it tries to eat the fish.
Can I keep Axolotl with sticklebacks?
Although sticklebacks need similar water parameters as axolotls, they should not be kept with them. Sticklebacks have three to sixteen spines on their backs that can be erected in case of danger. If the axolotl tries to eat the stickleback, this may not end well for either of them.
Also, male sticklebacks are very territorial during breeding season and would see the axolotl as an intruder and attack.
Besides fish, there are other animals that at first sight could be kept together with an Axolotl, but which can be dangerous for the Axolotl.
Can you keep axolotl with turtles?
Most freshwater turtles eat meat as well as plants and algae, so there is a risk that the turtle will eat or severely injure the axolotl, depending on its size. Depending on the species, freshwater turtles can also exhibit aggressive behavior and thus stress the axolotl. Also, most aquatic turtles require much warmer temperatures than the axolotl. Therefore it is not a good idea to keep turtles and axolotls in one tank.
Can you keep axolotls with frogs?
Tongueless frogs (Pipidae) like African dwarf frogs and Surinam Toads usually need temperatures between 70 and 80°F (22 and 26 °C), which is clearly too warm for an axolotl.
In addition, most clawed frog species are very lively animals, which can stress the Axolotl, or even show aggression towards it. In addition, there is the danger that they hurt him with their claws.
Furthermore, frogs can be carriers of diseases and parasites, which can also be dangerous for the Axolotl. Therefore, one should refrain from keeping them together.
Is it possible to keep Axolotl with crayfish?
Even though some crayfish can live in the same water conditions as Axolotl, you should not keep them together. They can cause serious injury to the Axolotl with their claws, except for Cherry shrimp which may be good tank mate for an Axolotl.
Can you keep axolotls with baby axolotls?
Finally, you may ask yourself if it is safe to keep Axolotls with their babies in an aquarium.
Adult Axolotls should not be kept with Axolotl larvae, as Axolotls will try to eat anything that swims in front of their mouths, unfortunately this includes their own babies. They will also eat the spawned eggs unless they are removed from the tank.
Smaller juveniles are also at risk of being eaten or gnawed on. Therefore, it is safer to keep Axolotl larvae in their own tank and only house Axolotls of approximately the same size together.
Conclusion
If you want to keep other animals besides Axolotl in the same aquarium, you should assess the risks well and inform yourself extensively about the species. Axolotl can’t live with most aquatic species and should not be kept in the same tank.
You should make sure that potential tank mates are peaceful, non-aggressive animals that prefer cold water and are not mainly at the bottom of the aquarium or very active. The safest tank mate is a second axolotl.
A list of animals that are good tankmates for an axolotl tank can be found here.