Question: New to axolots need help

I just bought 2 axolots for my local mall as baby dinosaurs I bought a 10 gallon tank to put then in I just need to knw what kind of sand is safe for the n the best kind of filters I been feeding them worms instead of the pullets food they came wit they also came wit some stuff to but in the tap water to take the bad stuff out of it plz help me out thanks :confused

Fine grain aquarium sand or pool filter sand is suitable for Axolotls. But bare bottom would be better- juveniles can swallow a bunch of sand and if they're still quite small it can be bad for them.

As for filters, make sure the flow isn't too strong. A simple sponge filter is great for an Axie tank, and cheap. HOBs work but aren't ideal, and you'd have to baffle the current. Internal filters can heat the water and aren't the best choice either, but can be done.


A ten gallon is going to be TOO SMALL for two Axolotls. I'd get a 20 gallon long.

The 'stuff' to take the bad things out of the water is aquarium dechlorinator and is essential to keeping any kind of aquatic animal. Never use water straight out of the tap.

I also suggest you read up on Aquarium cycling (this is VERY IMPORTANT!) and get an API liquid test kit, as your levels are going to be all over the place since your tank is new. Test your tank water regularly for ammonia/nitrite/and nitrate as they are all toxic to aquatic life. Scales Tails Wings and Things, What is Aquarium Cycling? How to Cycle your Tank


A few more things you'll need to know:

-Axolotls don't like light. Don't have a light on the tank and give them plenty of places to hide! They have no eyelids, they need some dark places to hide.

-Axolotls need to be kept at water temperatures of 16-18c (or around 60-64 F). They must be kept cool! Room temperature is not okay and leaves them open to disease and heat stress. Chillers or a fan can be used to cool your tank.

-The best diet for them is as you've figured out, worms. Juveniles can eat frozen bloodworms too.



Phew, I think that's it.

Did you do any kind of research before you bought them? How big are they? You know a 10gal is only good for one adult, right?


The best kind of sand you can use is a silica-based sand. You can got to home depot or similar stores and buy a 50lb bag for about $3-5. Rinse the sand thoroughly before adding it to your tank.

As far as filters, the Aqueon Quietflow is a good filter; does the job but doesn't have too strong of a current.

Also what do you mean you bought them "as baby dinosaurs" ?

EmbryH said:

Also what do you mean you bought them "as baby dinosaurs" ?

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I've heard malls will market them like that *dramatic eyeroll*

Oh excellent, because marketing them as their actual species, along with correct information on how to actually care for them, would just be silly!

That's what they were called he didn't tell us much about the beside feed them the pellets keep them in cool water n they can live with gold fish in a tank I started doin research on the the day I bought the I took out the peddles they came wit I knw certain sand they couldn't have n they didn't like light n have to be keep cool not at room tempter I have 2 baby one I'm gonna used the 10 gal of now until I'm able to buy a bigger one he told me that was fine there only 4 months old that's better then the lil cage I bought them in I can show a pic if u like

A picture would be good. Also, you were told wrong; they cannot be kept with goldfish or any other species as permanent tank mates. The issues there range from hellish tank to keep clean, injury, disease, death, and basically every problem you can think of. You can't keep other species with axolotls unless they're there short term for food, and even THEN goldfish aren't really appropriate.

Your posts are really hard to read, could you perhaps use a little more punctuation? lD

Ugh that sucks the mall gave out information like that. Absolutely don't keep them with goldfish! Bad. The goldfish can damage their gills/slime coat and if the lotl is big enough it'll likely eat the goldfish. Good on you for taking out the pebbles and doing your research!

If you have any more questions we're here to help!

Oh excellent, because marketing them as their actual species, along with correct information on how to actually care for them, would just be silly!

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Oh yes that'd just be blasphemy

I can't figure out how to post a pic from my phone onto here

So - let me just clarify here:

You can buy an animal in a mall, where the vendor doesn't really know what they are selling, and selling to people who buy on impulse, with no experience, who don't really know what they are buying, and giving out bad advice to boot.

And this is legal?

Michelle, well done for coming here and seeking advice (better late than never), you really need to spend the next 2 days reading up on axie care, habitat and feeding.

Post pictures via the 'manage attachments' bit underneath the reply box.

auntiejude said:

So - let me just clarify here:

You can buy an animal in a mall, where the vendor doesn't really know what they are selling, and selling to people who buy on impulse, with no experience, who don't really know what they are buying, and giving out bad advice to boot.

And this is legal?

Michelle, well done for coming here and seeking advice (better late than never), you really need to spend the next 2 days reading up on axie care, habitat and feeding.

Post pictures via the 'manage attachments' bit underneath the reply box.

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Its the case in a lot of pet stores I've been to. They receive shipments from breeders and if its not sold right away, often times its health will begin to deteriorate. Its sad but its best to just avoid stores that try to trick its customers. I've seen dinosaur fish used to describe axolotls, dragon gobies, and all types of bichir. For the really inexperienced owner, they might not even figure out what the heck they just bought.

auntiejude said:

So - let me just clarify here:

You can buy an animal in a mall, where the vendor doesn't really know what they are selling, and selling to people who buy on impulse, with no experience, who don't really know what they are buying, and giving out bad advice to boot.

And this is legal?

Michelle, well done for coming here and seeking advice (better late than never), you really need to spend the next 2 days reading up on axie care, habitat and feeding.

Post pictures via the 'manage attachments' bit underneath the reply box.

Click to expand...

As for its legality, pet stores have to meet a certain code here in the US. Its basically saying you need a license to sell the animals your selling and to be able to provide them a certain minimum amount of space, which is much much less than the recommended minimum by hobbyist. Inspections are often infrequent and only if a store is really reported bad for something like illegal species or very very apparent animal abuse. I've been in a store where half the fish were floating dead and just decaying in the water, sadly axolotls are just considered another fish :/