Age where they can be kept together?

[GalaxyMeow]

Hi!

I've been doing some research, but still have questions, and this forum seems the best ask since ether will be updated standards rather than outdated ones from old sites!

Well, my question is, when can ties be kept together? I've heard that when they are young, they are especially cannibalistic, but as they age it gets better, but also that the "cannibalistic" stage never ends really, but as long as they are well fed and the same size, you should be fine.

My question is, if I have 2-4 axolotls that are 3-6 months old (Or around 5''), will they be okay together, or not? If not, would it be okay to buy some of those aquarium dividers that some betta owners use to separate them until they are big and be together?


Thanks!

 

[Kilolotlkeeper]

That's fine they usually aren't cannibalistic past 3 inches I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong please! I know five inches would definitely be ok, with four I hope you have a big tank tho because if it gets cramped they will snap at each other


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[Skudo09]

There is not really a canabalistic state as such, although they may have bigger tendencies to snap at other axolotls when they are juveniles. Axolotls are opportunistic and eat by movement so if they sense movement near their mouth they will snap at it in case it happens to be food. You can prevent them from snapping at each other it is best to keep them well fed. It is generally advised to keep axolotls separate from each other if there is significant size difference (~more than one inch) but are usually OK together if they are of similar size and are well fed.

 

[NaterPotater]

Plus, if there's issues, and your tank is big enough, you can always use dividers. I used one for a while to keep my 6-month-old axolotls separate from an adult.

 

[GalaxyMeow]

Thank you everyone! This helped a lot

And my tank wouldn't be any smaller than 40 gallons; and if it was, I'd only be keeping two axolotls. I will definitely keep in mind the tank divider! It could be very useful!

 

[Donna001]

I have 3 juvenile axolotls (approx. 15cm) in a 200 litre tank. They have been together since bought from the same tank at the same pet shop and so far I haven't had any big problems. Occasionally there will be some snapping around food, but they are individually fed earthworms etc. now, which stops them getting too close around food. Even when one swims to the top of the tank, then floats down and lands on top of another one they are fairly good natured about it and will wander off rather than snap at each other.
I also had another 3 (approx.25cm) in a different tank. There was some problems over a prawn when I first got them home, but nothing since them. These 3 have now been separated until I confirm the sexes, then they will be put into single sex tanks.
When the small juveniles get old enough I plan to put them into the appropriate single sex tanks with the others, using a divider so that they can get to know each other without any damage, just in case.
Let us know how you get on with yours. :happy:
Best of luck.