Question: Can you house two axolotl in a 20 gallon tank???

[mudkip246]

Is it possible two have two axolotls in a 20 gallon tank??? will it stress them out?

 

[JessKB]

The more room the better, but two will fit in a 20.

 

[mudkip246]

The more room the better, but two will fit in a 20.

thanks for the reply. herd from some people say 2 axies wont fit. they say at least 33 gallons. thanks im getting a 20 gallon soon so i just wanted to make sure

 

[Redrock141]

The more room the better, but two will fit in a 20.

Quick questioon, does fit, mean uncomfterably, or thats the most while still being okay for the axolotls?

 

[JessKB]

According to www.axolotl.org and other reputable sources you only need 10 gallons per axolotl. More space is always better though. Also, if you decide to get a 20 gallon, go for a 20gallon long. Depth of your tank doesn't matter, the more floorspace the better.

 

[Kaysie]

Definitely only try to keep 2 axolotls in a 20long. They would not have enough floor space to be comfortable in a 20tall/regular.

Having a bigger tank allows you to have more floor space for each to have places to get away from each other, and it also allows you to have more water. More water is a bigger buffer against water quality issues.

 

[Azhael]

Plus it also reduces the amount of maintenance and provides thermal stability. Specially if you are a first time owner, i would advice you to start with just one axolotl. A 20 gallon for one animal will make things easy for you and allow you to prevent lots of easy problems. Once you are more experienced and familiar with these animals and their care you can get a second one if you want. However, it´s always very benefitial to have large volumes and understocked tanks, rather than providing the bare minimum space.

 

[Jake]

thanks for the reply. herd from some people say 2 axies wont fit. they say at least 33 gallons. thanks im getting a 20 gallon soon so i just wanted to make sure

According to Axolotls: The Fascinating Mexican Axolotl and the Tiger Salamander and other reputable sources you only need 10 gallons per axolotl. More space is always better though. Also, if you decide to get a 20 gallon, go for a 20gallon long. Depth of your tank doesn't matter, the more floorspace the better.

One says 10 gallons one says 33 gallons for 2, but where do these numbers come from? I say 5 gallons is enough for one. The Axolotl Colony keeps adults in shallow fish bowls and they live just as well as one kept in a 125 gallon tank. The only difference is the need to change the water more often. I personally would rather change a gallon every couple days than 30 gallons every week...

They don't need a large area to roam. Being carnivores they normally lay and wait for prey. In fact, many of us hand feed our axolotls so there is really no need for so much space unless they are together and still eating each other's limbs but in that case separation will go a longer way than spreading them out will.

 

[Coastal Groovin]

Here are some pictures from my visit to the Axolotl colony. They can keep them this way because they have an army of college students to do water changes. They also have a climate controlled lab that keeps everything at a nice constant cool temp. It's just a general rule but in the home its 10 gallons of water per axie but that said I bet you could keep 5 in a 33gallon long if it had plenty of hides and plants. Its all about the floor space and not the height of the tank. You could keep a single axolotl in a 2 gallons of water if you wanted to or a pair for breeding in 4 gallons of water but you would never be able to keep up with the water changes and if you could it would get old real fast.

 

[Azhael]

And why would you change 30 gallons of water a week? The point of having a large volume and a cycled tank is precisely that water changes do not need to and should not be larger than 10-20%, and depending on how stablished the tank is, the amount of plants, etc, changes may not need to be on a weekly basis, but more on a monthly basis.
I can see why you would think that smaller, uncycled containers are preferable if you think large tanks require frequent total water changes, but that is simply not the case.
Nobody debates that keeping axolotls in very small volumes of water is entirely possible, but it implies a lot more work and for a hobbyist is just inpractical and unsightly (although clearly individual preferences vary).

 

[Redrock141]

Alright, i didn't know if my Darwin could be with a buddy, but I want him to stay comfy, so i will keep one in there!:happy:

 

[PAWS]

Hi,

I know you are not from the UK but thought this might help. There are many places that supply "tanks made to order" which actually work out cheaper than commercially available tanks or aquarium. For example in the UK, I have just ordered a tank to my measurements being 36 inches long, by 18 inches tall by 18 inches wide ( I think the metric measurements are 1 metre x 45cm x 45 cm) for less than £80. I know commercially available deals include more items but I don't really need lights, a heater, gravel, fast flow filter etc so it works out far cheaper.

I'll go with this tank for one Axi and once its established and I am happy understanding his / her needs I'll add a second.

Good Luck!

 

[mudkip246]

thank you all for the advice. i think ill stay with my little laxxy in her 10 gallon until i feel more confident in myself that ill get her a new friend and invest on a bigger tank. possibly a 33 gallon. im still learning to be a good axolotl parent till then cheers:wacko:

 

[mudkip246]

thank you all for the advice. i think ill stay with my little laxxy in her 10 gallon until i feel more confident in myself that ill get her a new friend and invest on a bigger tank. possibly a 33 gallon. im still learning to be a good axolotl parent till then cheers:wacko:

oh i forgot HAPPY 2012