10 gal OK?

This site says one axolotl could be housed in a 10 gal, which is 21.25" wide - is this true? They seem to get pretty big for that.

Right you are. Go for at least 80 cm long, I'd say.

-Eva

A 10-gallon would be the minimum for one. Most axies don't grow much beyond about 7" (18cm), but a very large specimen would surely need a larger tank than that.

Yer thats pretty small for a axolotl i suggest at least a 2foot by 1foot (sorry i don't work in gallons ) =]

Hi Nic,

One axolotl can be housed in a 10 gallon tank but that doesn't mean it is ideal.

If I was you I would go for a bigger one then when you are ready to get another axolotl you won't have to get a bigger tank.

Good Luck

Does the size of the tank effect in any way the ultimate maximum size of an axi?

Some creatures (& I am struggling with my memory to think of an example) will restrict growth in limited space.

Just wondering - I'm all for as much space as possible for any creature.

Heather

G'day Heather

I, too, have heard/read comments that imply that the size of the tank can dictate an animal's growth. But truth be told, this is just an old wives' tale.

The reason why some people see truth in this is because if you were to house an animal in a tank that is clearly too small for it, i.e. one that minimises locomotion, it will eventually die. Why? Because it cannot move around for starters, nor can it obtain food. Also, the toxicity in the tank will reach a dangerous point. Poor husbandry is one of the biggest factors that result in death. Stress also plays a crucial role in housing. Increased stress will mean that the animal will let down its defenses and become more susceptible to pathogens, whether they are virulent or not.

To put it simply, your axolotl will continue to grow so long as you feed it; irrespective of the size of the tank. But, obviously it will peak at its maximum size.

Oh, by the way, I think the fish that you're thinking about is the common goldfish

Jay.

P.S. There is an article called the "Specific Growth Rate and the Level of Energy Metabolism in the Ontogeny of Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum", by I. G. Vladimirova, S. Yu. Kleimenov, T. A. Alekseeva, and L. I. Radzinskaya. It's worth the read.

Hi Heather,

You brought up an interesting point. I am not aware of any particular scientific research that has explored this area.

I would infer that with a small limited space, the axie's growth can be affected indirectly. Confined to a small space, there is of course the risk of poor water parameters and lack of hiding places, which in turn translates into stress. Stress would subsequently result in immunocompromise, inappetance and susceptibility to infections and illnesses in axolotls. Stress would be further compounded if the tank has too high stocking density (overcrowding), presence of aggressive animals or axolotls all vying for food, hiding places etc.

Inappetant, stressed animals would have poorer feed conversion rates because energy and nutrients are assimilated for fighting infections for example rather than geared towards optimal growth.

I have come across some misinformation from pet shop newsletters etc. that warned of keeping axolotls being kept in small bowls resulting in lop sided development of swim bladder. Axolotls do not have swim bladders. We want to provide ample space for axolotls for easier tank management and welfare reasons.

Cheers

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE NEVER house an axie in a 10g. I tried it with my axie and we could NEVER get the ammonia down to a safe level even after doing everything possible to help. I ended up with a 20g tank that cycled in a week once I put all the same stuff that was in the 10g tank. It is not worth risking your axies health. Besides think how much happier he/she would be with more wiggle room!