AXOLOTL CARE GUIDE (how to care for an axolotl for beginners)

Want to know how to care for an axolotl? This is my axolotl care guide going into detail about housing, filtration, and the feeding of axolotls. Make sure to do your research before getting ANY kind of new pet.
Products mentioned (aquarium fan!!) ► kit.co/TheTurtleGirl/axolotl-kit
I N S T A G R A M ► / theturtlegirl
P A T R E O N ► / theturtlegirl
Huge thanks to all my current patrons for allowing this channel to be the best it can be!
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2916 NW Bucklin Hill Rd PMB 108
Silverdale, WA 98383
CONTENTS
00:00 Introduction to Axolotls
02:00 Habit and Aquarium
02:29 Feeding
03:58 Filtration and Water Changes
06:06 Temperature
08:16 Decorations and Substrate
10:09 Lighting
11:13 Tankmates
12:52 Subscribe!

[@raymanandeze]

Still have my axolotl from your first video ❤️even got him a gf yes they live together (don't recommend for males and females but mine tend to not mate often ) guppies and minnows make for a great live feed if you're into that kind of thing.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

ah that's awesome! you never see the guppies nipping on the axos gills?

[@raymanandeze]

@@TheTurtleGirl the axolotls eat them way too fast 😩 I'll put 20 in there in the am and end up with 7 by the next day🤣

[@Catapultdragondude]

Yoo he got rizz

[@sunnydaypickle939]

@@Catapultdragondude gotta get them axolotl rubbers

[@user-jk2mk1gv9g]

Jej heloooo😊

[@aralynrivers7162]

2 axolotls were rehomed to me recently so this is great timing for me :) their names are Gigi and Harvey!

[@stevenlannon1020]

Great vid with lots of good information. I just wanted to add that bloodworms should only be a staple diet while young. They don't really contain the nutrition needed for larger lotls. Great for treats though! I do that and some white fish. Love my 2 brain celled water puppy.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

yes! good point :DD we love our two brain celled water puppies hahaha!

[@PAY_YOUR_TAXES1]

Thank you so much! This was so helpful I’m getting an axolotl soon and I’m trying to get a tank set up and I needed this information

[@shinlovemaill]

Thank you tons for this video! Me and my mom are planning to adopt an axolotl, but we have never kept any aquatic animals, and this video is very informational in the aspect that you can grasp onto what it needs really quickly.

[@Froggy12436]

I’ve got a Axolotl as a pet already that I’ve owned for years but always looking at updated care! Very useful video!

[@savvycrafts18]

Do the worms have to be alive

[@Froggy12436]

@@savvycrafts18 I’ve never heard of anyone feeding their axies worms that aren’t alive- besides bloodworms, which in my opinion, shouldn’t be fed often.

[@savvycrafts18]

Ok well I saw some freeze dried worms but I wasn’t sure if that was good for them.

[@Froggy12436]

@@savvycrafts18 I’m not sure if they’d even eat them. Personally I wouldn’t waste the money, because they would also probably make the tank pretty dirty.

[@savvycrafts18]

Ok thank you

[@Ends_Of_Invention]

Thanks for this great video - simple, to the point, and explains the various options. We're receiving a rehomed axolotl tomorrow and this video is super helpful.

[@playtimewithmatthias4324]

Such a great video. Thank you!! We’re researching now.

[@user-xf3om8ks2t]

im using my nans competer and i dont have a axolol yet but im in love with them and this video is really going to help!THANK YOU 4 POSTING THIS

[@sfsorion9426]

Thanks for this. I’m getting an axolotl soon, so these are good tips

[@harpernatale3934]

Im very late but im gonna get one for my birthday!! (Maybe) and this helped alot. I did tons of research already and i learned new things in this video. Thank you so much!

[@simplybella673]

I’ve always wanted one! Great video!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

they're pretty cool!

[@jamesm6234]

My 9yr old loves axolotles we enjoyed video thanks for all the helpful information

[@melissahewko9566]

Great informative video! Love the T shirt super cute

[@thekosalchannel9608]

Thank you so much for telling me this without you. I did not know what to do with my new pet Axolotl

[@destinycoffey3087]

I just ran across your account and thank you for this information. I was given three axolotl to take care of yesterday. They have a 55 gallon tank and a filter but they have no decorations, I had no clue what to put in there for them, you have been really helpful!

[@EagleSlightlyBetter]

super helpful. Thank you!

[@mrstardust8718]

Im very glad that I found this video it gave me a lot of knowledge that I need to look after my axolotl. liked

[@cryptocorner2253]

Thanks for all the great info, TTG. Always great to see your new videos.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

appreciate the constant support!

[@dahamsta]

Great video, well done.

[@ronmoore3947]

Great info😊

[@charleshansen3393]

Thank you for the great info.

[@HM3FMSS]

Thank you, Turtle Girl, great instructional!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Happy to hear it!

[@BenRush]

Wonderful video

[@zaza-sw2sn]

i can't get over the shirt i love it! This is a really helpful vid and helped me take care of my axolotl, skwishy

[@pawebroszko4737]

you can also get more plants to filter nitrate from water (self sufficient poop removal). And in summer throw ice to aquarium. Get a plastic bag, fill it with water put in freezer. I live in continental climate so in summer you should throw one bag min to somehow regulate temp.

[@iamliterallyagoose5936]

I just got a razorback musk turtle and your videos helped me a lot :D

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I'm really glad to hear that goose :D

[@iamliterallyagoose5936]

@@TheTurtleGirl thanks! :D His name is Elon (literally copied from you) and he’s 1 week old.

[@zakmorris8357]

Great video!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

thanks Zak!

[@joleneswanson5520]

I broke down every step that you said and thank you for this I really need it 🙏🙏😂🎉❤

[@luciaraygoza8202]

Thank you because my mom is getting me one I'm excited is in Sunday it one pink💖 and one green💚

[@gpzs83]

Good luck girly pop

[@kumah0]

im getting a axolotl on my birthday so this helps alot:)

[@xxpokemondudexx969]

How is it doing

[@aquaticma]

Great info as usually! I always wanted to try keeping an axolotl for years but in my area and especially my animal room, I can't maintain a temperature below 78 degrees. Some people here in Florida use frozen water bottles to keep the temperatures down but the most effective is a chiller. I've never found a chiller that is worth the noise in my house. I didn't know you can keep them with plants and sand! Great video!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

thanks for watching!

[@nickthecuban7296]

Great vid thanks

[@TheTurtleGirl]

appreciate it!

[@BLOODSHED_Dragons]

Thank you Im getting an axoloto in a few days!

[@amberfouts9610]

Axolotls are my favorite animal and I think there is so cute and I love them so much that when my mom went to the store while I was at school and a T-shirt and there is an axolotl and it was the last one so she bought it for me and now I carry it around everywhere

[@amberfouts9610]

So one day like my mom went to the store and saw a xolotl hugga pet and since I was at school she bought it for me because it was the last one so now I carry it around everywhere

[@don.richard8823]

Great review thank you for sharing with us ! 👍🏼

[@tonnytigertickles]

Someone just posted on my Snapchat trying to re-home theirs.. really tempting but I want to make sure I'm ready for it

[@chrisc.czarnopys7618]

First time hearing of an axolotl. Wow!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

they're pretty amazing!

[@Jacksolotl]

Hello!! Very late to this vide but thank u I needed this!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Youre welcome!

[@kariscolorjoyandhenrypower504]

So cute 🥰

[@amandaritzau2602]

Great video! Mochi is adorable! Where did you get the Hammock I'm really hesitant to put anything in there without experience with a product. I'm always worried hes gonna get a toe stuck or something in the mesh.

[@BurntToast642]

This is the video that got me the basic idea of getting one now I have a full tank in my room and a little axolotl named Gilbert

[@TheTurtleGirl]

aw that is awesome! Gilbert is a great name for an axolotl.

[@ZDeadThingy]

with the hang over if the flow is too much, you can use a bit of wool on the out pipe and it will defuse and polish the water

[@nicklawson6717]

I loved the video. I will probably two one for me and one for my brother

[@bigsteppacustoms]

Beautiful axolotls

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

great vid

[@TheTurtleGirl]

thanks :)

[@iamOTHER44]

I always wanted to know about turtles and how they sleep (as both hatchlings and adults if there’s a difference). Just wanted to know your thoughts on it since there aren’t many videos about the subject. Great video btw

[@TheTurtleGirl]

interesting question! I'll have to think about that one :D

[@michaelhawkins7389]

@@TheTurtleGirl AXOLOTL can live for 10 - 15 years , even though you can have them as pets , they are in fact rare and are on the endangered species list

[@davidharrison7463]

Hi. Thanks for the upload from 🇬🇧. I have a 4 foot long by 2 feet wide aquarium but I only have one Axolotl. I'm getting 2 more tomorrow, how many could I have in an aquarium of that size? Also, I don't like plain bottom aquariums so people could do what I have done which is to cover the bottom with a thin layer of Aquarium (fish safe) adhesive & sprinkle small grain, aquatic sand onto it so it sticks, this way you won't lose any, the Axolotls get a grip & won't eat any, it also looks good.

[@LordVoltRod2c]

A really great warning would be about the tentacle like formation growing out its neck. That is not for decoration but is actually the axolotls' lungs. Fish are most likely going to be trying to pick at the lungs growing out from the neck. You want to keep those very safe as that is how the axolotl gets oxygen. I think this information should become viral and well known so please spread the word around. There are no bad hair days for these little guys instead it would respiratory problems. They probably get stressed by temperatures over sixty degrees as that would set the axolotl up for lung rot instead of fin rot. Have a nice day!

[@buckharrington3213]

Thanks for the info I'll take your advice because I'm really thinking about getting one I didn't finish the video I'm on 30 when I'm finished I'll post

[@MJG1]

I love an axelotl😊

[@peterdamico336]

Hi! I was wondering if its possible to keep a diamondback terrapin in a reef tank, I have been doing some research about the salinity and it seems like it might be possible. However I wanted to see if you had done any research on the matter or had any advice. You were the person who made me fall in love with diamondback terrapin's!

[@joshaustin9119]

That would be risky. DB is brackish. I've never heard of brackish reef

[@amandaritzau2602]

I have had my boy for 2 years. Finally found someone with that hammock in a video. And I can see which ones were safe for them. I hope.. I got a very lazy boy. Hes housed in a 40 breeder with some live plants couple of hides and i change out pvc shape. I am currently treating his floofs/gills.. sigh this happened last summer as well. I definitely need to invest in a chiller. Fans and frozen bottles dont cut it in july.

[@Deerfoxer]

Hello, I know this video is a little old but I have a couple questions as I want to get one of these guys for myself, but I just want to know a few things. 1. When mentioning live plants and decoration, is there a point where the vegetation can become excessive? I have seen pictures of their natural habitat and it seems very full of vegetation. 2. Should I keep the axolotl in a small room, or a larger open space? Mainly for cleaning reasons 3. When mentioning they have sensitive eyes to light, could you use dimmer colors like a very dark blue or green for them? Or is that still too much for them?

[@MrCastroFPS]

Could u share the brand of the worms u got out of the refrigerator and where do u buy it? Thanks

[@filejobean]

Does the evaporation cause any molding or mildew on the shelf above? Or does it depend on how much space is between the top of the tank and the shelf?

[@colefruguglietti8684]

Mine has been chilling with some discus for like 4 years at 86 degrees and does just fine

[@LemonAnon774]

Enjoyed the video! New to this channel so sorry if you already answered it, but where did you get that shirt?

[@jamierobertson8329]

I loved it I’m gonna get one send button is it to top.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

great!

[@Mel-rp3en]

I love Axolotl

[@AlienSnowflake]

I saw axolotl's in the pet sbop earlier. They look so cute. I wanted to get one coz dad was getting some fish in our tank. Then realized they needed huge space so I couldnt. Plus putting them in the fish tank is bad. It could eat the smaller fish XD Maybe in the future, who knows

[@Erika-jq6sr]

Are u allowed to jsut get a worm outside and give it to them (cleaned) im considering to get a axolotl but i dont want to make any decisions if i cant take care of a axolotl or dont know anything

[@brooklynlefevre]

Should I remove them from the tank when cleaning and water changing? Does its temporary space have to be larger than ten gallons?

[@breonamcconnell3831]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a leopard gecko, since I already have a tank for it, a heater, and a rock enclosure for him, but my tank is a 20 gallon tall, with 24 inches in length of floor space. Is that enough?

[@Preppybomboclat]

Hi! I have a question. I have been thinking about getting an Axolotl and was wondering if you have to use some sort of special water for the tank? This might seem like a dumb question, but I’m just not sure if I should use tap water or something else. Thanks!

[@elite_riddimzgaming3427]

I would assume just like normal when prepping for fish you'd use tap water and the chemical 'tap safe' or aqua safe it's sometimes known as, takes the chlorine out of the water so their gills don't get irritated

[@queerengineer]

This isn’t a comment about axolotl’s but I am so freaking grateful for your content about turtles. I live in a super super dry area and a red eared slider washed up in my backyard during a flood. I tried to find its family with no luck. I am running like crazy to find everything I need for this baby with absolutely no experience with aquatics at all. This has been an absolutely invaluable resource in the last two days of making sure this baby is okay

[@InTheMIDL]

Turtles live in isolation, so it has no "family".

[@queerengineer]

@@InTheMIDL I meant it’s owners jeez

[@InTheMIDL]

@@queerengineer oh lol sorry

[@KC2Sunshine]

Is there too low of a temp for axolotls? My basement is pretty consistently 55-60 F which is where i would ideally keep them. But i don't want them to freeze either!

[@jmir728]

What about ghost shrimp as tank mates? I know eventually he will eat them but they seem to eat leftover feeding worms and they dont seem to attack him. Any thoughs on keeping ghost shrimp in the tank with a lotl?

[@makhiarios]

Can Axolotl use a bubbler in a fish tank or is that still too much water movement

[@megaman37456]

I'm currently researching axolotls as I'm considering getting one myself, problem is I'm a hardcore gamer, so I worry that even across the room away from the TV the Axolotl would get stressed from the light, I was thinking maybe a mangrove styled tank with some nice long tunnels might work but I'm not sure, any Axolotl owners know if this is a good or bad idea? Keep in mind the mangrove would be made from stuff purchased from the pet store and I am aware the tank needs to be fresh water, so basically an "Artificial" mangrove.

[@jenniferpercin2582]

considering adopting one.. how often do you feed them? If we leave for a week vacation, would we need to have someone come to our home and feed them?

[@ruthanngoodfield9337]

Love the video. What would you say would be pets similar to axolotl‘s for the people who live in states that axolotl‘s are illegal in?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

there are some cool oddball aquarium fish! Or look into other aquatic amphibians like certain newts/salamanders...although those may also be illegal or just hard to source haha

[@makemeavailablewebsiteintr1992]

There so cuteeeee

[@therealsqueakyowo]

CUTENESS!

[@Axolotl123cute]

I might get an axolotl on my birthday next year

[@beautifuldisaster0879]

I have a cycled 135 gallon tank. Could I put two adults in it?

[@rlr380]

hi! my axie is very picky about his food and will not eat earthworms 😫. he keeps them in his mouth and spits them out. currently i’m feeding him pellets and bloodworms. but i understand bloodworms aren’t the most nutritious food for him. do you have any recommendations on different foods or brands of pellets??

[@ninanapiontek2354]

I'm in the process of acquiring 2 from a lady at the end if the month. She told me that she feeds hers little strips of raw steak.

[@alexaporisky7715]

How do you keep lives plants wiith out a light?

[@State48TurtleTortoise]

Hey. You better be at Animalcon next year!

[@Julie-ds5bo]

Hey im wanting to get a leopard gecko but im looking for a starter kit and i was wondering what brand has the best starter kits for leopard geckos and also what size of tank would you need for a leopard gecko from petsmart

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I would shoot for a 20 gallon long or equivalent, front opening is great! I prefer to not do kits, so unfortunately you're asking the wrong person for recs xD

[@kimoose8]

Do you test your water parameters like you would for a fish tank? If so, which ones are most important?

[@claylemaster1907]

Nitrates. If your tank is cycled only thing will go up is nitrates. Live plants will use those nitrates and act as water purifiers and reduce how often you need to actually change water. Still need water changes tho

[@Longboarding.macaroni]

Any aquatic animals will require regular water testing, and the most important parameters (and this goes for most freshwater tanks) are ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Ammonia always needs to be 0 nitrite always needs to be 0 and nitrate needs to be low, but usually not 0

[@judywu9812]

Your shirt is so cuteeee

[@TheTurtleGirl]

thanks!

[@itzsnipz]

Im looking to maybe get one can i have a link to a good aquarium chiller im okay with price i just need something really effective i have a pacman frog in my room so my room normally stays fairly hot so its needed

[@Kaiya_grace]

For the feeding, do all worms have to be alive or just the black worms??

[@FletcherRichmond]

Mincraft axoltls are so cuteeeee

[@ur_fav_bells]

I have that shirt and I my axolotls name is mocha I love her so much

[@chihuahuasandgeckos]

Hey! I have a quick question about chillers for axolotls. I viewed your video on how to keep the axolotl tanks chilled/cold, but I have a quick question. I live in a place where it gets extremely hot, up to 106°F outside just about every summer and spring, but the winters are usually pretty cold. I’m not sure I can afford a chiller, because they’re awfully expensive and I don’t think I can afford it. Do you think an aquarium fan (and sometimes, especially in summer) small frozen water bottles in the tank would be enough to keep the temperature stable and low? Or should I start considering a chiller? Thank you so much! 🙂

[@reidheller3927]

A fan and frozen water bottles probably wouldn't be stable enough. These animals needs specific/stable temperatures. I would look into getting a chiller.

[@chihuahuasandgeckos]

@@reidheller3927 Yes. I have decided that. I looked into it more and thought it would not be enough. Thank you for letting me know, too! Wanted to make sure I got all the information right before even considering getting one.

[@starberrykissx]

i have the same shirt XD but this is helpful information sense im getting one

[@budiawan1784]

suhu air di aquarium² ku bisa mencapai 31° c. Saya suka "ikan" ini, tetapi TIDAK MAMPU bikin air aquarium ku cukup sejuk baginya. terimakasih sudah membagi info kebutuhan dasar nya.

[@m.j.summers4519]

I love my yellow axolotl named potato!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Awww! Potato is such a cute name!

[@Malo-_-]

hi can i feed my axolotl eartworm? )

[@michaelgoosekingofhonk6628]

Can you use soil substrate for axolotls? I’m trying to make like a small plant carpet for a axolotl for a natural environment

[@TheTurtleGirl]

i'd imagine that it's possible...I just haven't seen it very often

[@karikomorowski3361]

We have a tile bottom and now I feel horrible... Is Howl going to be ok?

[@MrChit-od9po]

Can they eat redwiggler a (compost worms)??

[@Michelle-ht2nu]

Do you know the next time you’re going to post just wondering I love your videos

[@user-pg7sv9yo6j]

can aquatic snails be kept with axolotls and will they help clean the tank

[@Sneaky_Turtle2]

Hey turtle girl! I just got my axolotls and I was wondering if I should put tank in their tank. They are around 2-3 years old (got them from my brother girlfriend who couldn’t take care of them anymore) and she said that she put sand in it but they ate a lot of it. Should I try again now that they are older?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I have personally never had an issue with sand! maybe now that they're older, it's worth a shot

[@Sneaky_Turtle2]

@@TheTurtleGirl alright! I’ll try it out, thanks for the advice!

[@perolousestorm5439]

I HAVE QUESTION when I go on vacation what do I do does my axolotl just die????

[@samanthamartin2267]

Can axolotl do well with alge cleaner fish?

[@Itsgiving_adventuretime_stan]

Have you thought of having rocks for the substrate that way they can’t eat it and still has traction

[@flamesofgames3986]

12:00 Could you have aquatic snails that eat algae as tank mates?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I'd be worried about the axolotl choking on the snails... :/