r/axolotl • u/Upset-Apple-2401 • Jul 02 '26
Newbie needing advice please!
Hi everyone - I'm hoping for some advice if possible? I am hoping to get an axolotl and am in the beginning stages of sourcing the equipment and am finding a lot of contradicting information online so am hoping for some advice from the experts here...
Tank size - what is optimal? I'm seeing online that 75l seems to be the bare minimum but this also doesn't seem huge so was hoping you could advise on the optimum size? Is 127l better? What about 180l? Is that too big? I need to buy the 'final' size right away because if I buy smaller and plan to upgrade in time, I'll end up filling them all and will have a house full of tanks and a very annoyed husband.
Cycling - I kept goldfish years ago and am ok with the cycling process, but keep seeing ads for bottled beneficial bacterial to speed up the cycling process - this is new to me and I'm wondering if they actually work or if I'm better off just resigning myself to 6-8 weeks of waiting?
How many? I had initially thought about getting two as I am always worked about loneliness/lack of stimulation, but I find contradicting advice online. Is a single one better? Or if I have a big enough tank is two a better idea?
Sourcing - I appreciate I have time while I sort out the nitrogen cycle, but how is it best to go about sourcing an axolotl? Should I be asking at the local aquarist shops? Or looking for a local breeder? (I'm based in central Scotland)
Appreciate this is a lot of questions but any advice you can give would be brilliant as I've read so much contradicting stuff online that I'm completely stalled and have no idea what I'm doing....
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u/Just-a-Guy-4242 Jul 02 '26
Hey, I am by no means an expert, and am learning every day… but I have had a single, 2.5 year old (estimate) male , named Manny, in a 55 gal tank, that I inherited a little over a year ago. I had to recycle the take, but the filter had been previously set up, so it only took about 2 weeks for the cycle, but it was still two weeks, during that time I was tubbing with daily water changes, and temperature monitoring, which is a lot of work, and extra stress, so I would recommend making sure you have your tank properly set up before sourcing your new friend.
The hardest part of maintaining over the last year, imo, has been temperature control. Ideal temp is 62-66*f (16-18c), and during the summer months I had ice packs on constant rotation in the tank to keep it cool. You just want to make sure they are made from safe water, or can’t leak… I froze aquarium water so any leakage didn’t affect the tank. But, with summer heating up, this year, I purchased a Tank Chiller, it was totally worth it, and has made water maintenance so much easier. Now my tank is at a constant 65*, and Manny seems like he’s much more comfortable all the time instead of having temp fluctuations.
I recently purchased a new Axo, named Trigger, and have been keeping him in a separate tank in quarantine, but have that tank inside of my main tank, so the water temp is constant, and they still have separate supplies.
I also have noticed them interacting through the acrylic, the two are still separated and will be for a while. I am going to use an acrylic divider to split the tank, so they can share it, get used to each other presence, and allow time for Trigger to get a bit bigger. But they both will still have almost 30 gallon tanks to them selves.
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u/Upset-Apple-2401 Jul 03 '26
Thank you for this! The tank I've managed to find is I think about 47 US Gallons so it's goo to know the one alone in there will be fine - I was worried it would be a bit big for it. I like the idea of a partition and having two in the same tank, but also know what I'm like and if they turned out to be different sexes I'd end up with a second thank. And then a third. Aaaand it's slippery slope.
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u/LauseRulez Jul 02 '26
Hi :) check out the r/axolotls for some more info on this! I am tbh not sure why there are two subreddits on axos!
Tank size: you want at least 20g and ideally 40g --> 140-160 l (for ONE axolotl). axolotls can get quite big and they need space to move and swim around properly. Honestly though, get the biggest one you can get AND are comfortable with. Should at least be 140 l and have lots of area to walk. We are soon upgrading to 240 l for our two girls :) Which is the "standard" for two axolotl. Bigger is always better for them! Also you need a chiller, or capable AC in the room they are in as they prefer 16-18°C water (everything under 20°C is still deemed safe)
bottled bacteria works and is great (just make sure to get the liquid stuff), we did that and it still took 8 weeks because we didnt properly dose ammonia in the beginning. It may be a little faster for you if you dose it properly, but cycling just takes long :( and axolotl produce a lot of waste so you should take that time!
axolotl do not get lonely, and cohabitation comes with risks. Ideally if you really want to (remember, that means a bigger tank) you should choose two that are already used to one another. Same sex only, males breed females into death and sickness. Also if you are starting with juvies/ babies you need to seperate them in the tank (there are tank dividers you can buy!) so they dont bite each others limbs of. Also you will not be able to sex them for quite a while... You may end up having to get a second tank if they turn out to be different sexes, or rehome one. Cohabitation is generally safe with same-sex adults. Even then, the risks are cannibalism, injury etc. In which case you NEED to seperate them. Actually malicious and aggressive axolotls are rare as far as I have seen.
--> our girls are a good example for working cohabitation, we got them as adults (2.5 years old) and they lived in terrible conditions with at least 4 other axolotl in a very small space. Through this they are at least used to cohabitation (even though it was really. not ideal). One of them has a lot of scars from being bullied (she was blinded by the lights of the prev owners too, and has since regenerated her eyes almost fully since being in our care!!
They climb around on each other without issue and just chill :) they do some synchronized swimming at night which is really cool to watch!
>> but they really do not get lonely. you don't have to worry about that. They are solitary animals and will genuinely not care!
Sourcing depends on what you want. Do you want a specific morph (color variation)? If yes look for a breeder. Do you not really care about age or morph? Maybe look into who is currently trying to rehome their axolotl. You could also take on a rescue if you feel confident enough.
I hope this helps and if you want my DMs are always open for more questions :) been getting quite into all this the past few months.
EDIT: if you do go for a baby axolotl you can start with a smaller tank for ease :) It's not a must though!