The above 2 answers are completely incorrect. The bare minimum is a 20 gallon for a reason. Honestly, even 20s are a bit small in my opinion, but they are generally fine with proper maintenance.
I don't know a single reputable breeder that would ever advise a 10 gallon tank as a long term living solution for an axolotl. Ive been keeping/breeding/raising numerous exotic species for about 30 years. Axolotls can reach lengths of up to 13 inches in about a year. A 10 gallon tank is far from appropriate housing. Not only does it not offer much floor space for them to move around, the water volume is not enough to compensate for chemical fluctuation. Water chemistry is the key here. Yes, a 2-3 inch juvenile can be housed in a 10 gallon as a temporary living situation, but not for more than a month or 2. That would be silly though since you would then have to cycle 2 different aquariums. There is a difference between surviving and thriving. A human can survive in a 6x6 room, but they will not thrive there. The same concept applies to any captive raised species. Our job is to offer them a place where they thrive. Axolotls simple can't do that in anything smaller than a 20 gallon long tank. As I said, even that is a bit small and my general recommendation is a 40 breeder if you have the space for it.Well that was put quite rudely. I was being helpful and advising with what I have been told by two different breeders as well as found in extensive research I did a year prior to purchasing my axolotls. Are you an expert? Truly not being rude or sarcastic, I would just love to know what your credentials are. I know I don't know everything and certainly would love to acquire more knowledge especially if you happen to have links supporting your advice. Thanks
Being corrected is not being treated rudely. You can find decent advice on this forumn if you read the care sheets and old posts, everything that gulf wrote is correct and pretty much what a genuinely experienced keeper would say. As for taking advice from "breeders"..... Axolotls breed like roaches, even a most clueless keeper can get them to lay it doesnt mean that they are knowledgable.Well that was put quite rudely. I was being helpful and advising with what I have been told by two different breeders as well as found in extensive research I did a year prior to purchasing my axolotls. Are you an expert? Truly not being rude or sarcastic, I would just love to know what your credentials are. I know I don't know everything and certainly would love to acquire more knowledge especially if you happen to have links supporting your advice. Thanks
Okay, so I wanted to post here so that you can learn from my own mistakes in exactly the same situation (I just graduated from a school with the same size restrictions). I reasoned that it wouldn't be for very long, it would still be a juvenile and likely only 9 inches at the most, I would keep it in a 20 gallon over the summer, etc. Well. I got one. Let me tell you, they grow up fast. My guy is now a foot long and a 10-gallon was definitely WAY too small. Even when he was only 7 inches, it was already too small. It created a ton of stress for him and I am so grateful to be able to keep him in a much bigger tank full time now. PLEASE learn from my mistakes and wait. You can spend that time doing more research and planning exactly how you want to set up the tank. The wait will be worth it, I promise.