Question: Can you mix anything with axolotls in an aquarium?

[Emieliod]

Fish? MTS? What can you add to a 2 juvenile axolotl aquarium? I hear if you add any fish they have to be bigger than the axolotls head otherwise they would eat the fish. Please reply!!

 

[Jonjey]

You can add Amano shrimp.
That's about it.
If fish are bigger than the axolotl's head they will nip the axolotl's gills. For fish you want to aim for SMALLER than the axolotl's head so the axolotls CAN eat them.

 

[Petersgirl]

Axolotls really should only be kept with other axolotls in my opinion. Some people keep shrimp and feeder fish in with them but I have no experience of either of these and I have heard that some feeder fish can carry diseases, so I am wary of doing this.

Here is what Axolotl.org has to say on the matter:

"Here are the best three words of advice regarding other tank inmates: Just say no.
Why? Well, let us suppose we would like to keep something with our axolotls, for instance, a fish, or another salamander or newt. The fish will invariably attempt to nibble on an axolotl's gills. After all, they're so attractive and feathery! The salamander or newt may try the same trick, particularly at feeding time. Let us suppose that our axolotl is bigger than the fish or salamander. It's quite likely we'll end up with one well fed axolotl! There is a simple rule that axolotls follow: if it moves and it's smaller than our axolotl, it'll end up in our axolotl's stomach. So, follow my three words of advice: Just say no!
Young axolotls, less than 8 cm in length (3 inches), shouldn't be kept together in a confined space. If they are to be kept together, it would be wise to use an aquarium that allows them plenty of space. Young axolotls will nip each other's feet and gills, more so when very young. Even axolotls up to 15 or 16 cm (6 inches) may nip their tank mates, occasionally inflicting serious damage. This is particularly noticeable in wild type axolotls, since they are naturally more aggressive than homozygous colour mutants, and wild types will bite colour mutants in preference to other wild types. This behaviour is frequently observed by scientists and hobbyists alike and has yet to be fully explained.
Cannibalistic tendencies are much reduced in adult axolotls. However adults will predate upon considerably smaller axolotls, so keep different generations apart until they all reach adulthood.
Lastly, consider keeping the sexes apart, unless you are prepared to deal with the occasional batch of eggs."


Consideration must even be given to the axolotls you keep together, as some are more aggressive than others. On the other hand, axolotls 'paired' since youth may well pine without the other.

Sorry to be so one-sided but I wouldn't like to risk my axolotl's health. I would rather keep fish in a separate tank with other fish. Happy fish, happy lotls

 

[Jonjey]

People get a little too over the top about this subject, a shrimp will not hurt your axolotl and you should always quarantine feeder fish, thus getting rid of the illness issue. Your axolotls will enjoy being able to hunt live food, and remember these are creatures that can regenerate half their body if it gets ripped off but you're worried about a little shrimp somehow hurting it?

 

[RupertxGiles]

People get a little too over the top about this subject, a shrimp will not hurt your axolotl and you should always quarantine feeder fish, thus getting rid of the illness issue. Your axolotls will enjoy being able to hunt live food, and remember these are creatures that can regenerate half their body if it gets ripped off but you're worried about a little shrimp somehow hurting it?

Pretty sure if you cut an axolotl in half it wouldnt regenerate itself.

 

[GlowingFauxPas]

Pretty sure if you cut an axolotl in half it wouldnt regenerate itself.

Yeah that's why cherry shrimp are axolotls' most vicious enemy, those guys will just tear right into your axolotl with their razor sharp antennae and their needle legs.

Some people think earthworms are okay food but the worms thrashing about in the axolotl's mouth can tear their head right off.

An axie can also choke on sinking pellets so if you really care about your axie you shouldn't feed it at all.

 

[Dunny]

Fish? MTS? What can you add to a 2 juvenile axolotl aquarium? I hear if you add any fish they have to be bigger than the axolotls head otherwise they would eat the fish. Please reply!!

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Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

I asked the same thing, this should help

 

[Jonjey]

Just wanted to share this picture I just happened to take, my 6" Melanoid with my beast of an Amano shrimp (Japanese algae eating shrimp). I have 4 in my tank, rarely see them around because they're usually tucked under a rock or inside the driftwood cleaning stuff. When they are out and about they never hurt eachother. I'm sure when Lemonade(the axolotl) is an adult he'll eat them, but that's fine they're like $2 and they are neat in the tank in the meantime.

 

[sde]

People get a little too over the top about this subject, a shrimp will not hurt your axolotl and you should always quarantine feeder fish, thus getting rid of the illness issue. Your axolotls will enjoy being able to hunt live food, and remember these are creatures that can regenerate half their body if it gets ripped off but you're worried about a little shrimp somehow hurting it?

Yah I agree, people get way to sensitive about this stuff.

But personally, I think that shrimp are fine, quarantined fish that are much smaller than the axolotls head are fine, small snails that are half the size of the axolotls head are fine, other axolotls that are the appropriate size are fine, bugs are fine etc.. As long as the axolotl isn't going to choke on it and isn't going to get attacked by it, I think its fine. Oh, and make sure its not toxic

Sometimes it seems like people forget that axolotls were once wild, and that they aren't accidents waiting to happen. They are pretty tough. -Seth

 

[Dunny]

Basically minnows, snakes, shrimp, things you would feed your axolotl, minnows dont creat as much of a mess as gold fish and they are comfortable in the same water required for your axi. You can get them in a red color, a pale color, and more or less a wild color, they are a hardy fish and really not aggressive. Can feed them normal fish food. And can breed your own in a separate tank.The shrimp are the same way. Have a separate tank for each, feed and breed, and free axolotl food as well as some other creatures to brighten up your tank and give your axi something to hunt.

 

[Jonjey]

Basically minnows, snakes, shrimp, things you would feed your axolotl, minnows dont creat as much of a mess as gold fish and they are comfortable in the same water required for your axi. You can get them in a red color, a pale color, and more or less a wild color, they are a hardy fish and really not aggressive. Can feed them normal fish food. And can breed your own in a separate tank.The shrimp are the same way. Have a separate tank for each, feed and breed, and free axolotl food as well as some other creatures to brighten up your tank and give your axi something to hunt.

I'm starting up a cherry shrimp breeding tank. Very excited about it.

 

[layna]

Shrimp (cherry, ghost, river) and small feeder fish, anything you put in your tank including plants should be quarentined first just to make sure you dont feed them any nasties :happy:

 

[sde]

Basically minnows, snakes, shrimp, things you would feed your axolotl, minnows dont creat as much of a mess as gold fish and they are comfortable in the same water required for your axi.

SNAKES!? Don't feed snakes to an axolotl, that's cruel to the snake ( they aren't aquatic and would drown ).

 

[Jonjey]

SNAKES!? Don't feed snakes to an axolotl, that's cruel to the snake ( they aren't aquatic and would drown ).

What if it is eaten before it drowns?

 

[sde]

What if it is eaten before it drowns?

Well I guess its ok, but still, there aren't very many snakes that are small enough for an axolotl to eat, plus they could very well bite as a defense. Probably not a good idea.

 

[Dunny]

SNAKES!? Don't feed snakes to an axolotl, that's cruel to the snake ( they aren't aquatic and would drown ).

Hahaha, wow, fail, I ment snails... Fml. Dont try to house snakes with an axi, that could be extremely bad.

 

[Boomsloth]

Be careful with snails. Stick to the soft-shell snail species (pond, bladder, ramshorn etc) anything else poses the risk of impaction especially the larger apple snails (mystery snails).

 

[Dunny]

Be careful with snails. Stick to the soft-shell snail species (pond, bladder, ramshorn etc) anything else poses the risk of impaction especially the larger apple snails (mystery snails).

That's why I really didn't go into any detail on snails earlier. I don't know enough about them to really give any insight on them.

 

[Stacey87]

i have had axies now for about 3-4 year, and over that time i have had numerous shrimps (a few different types), mountain minnows (and other variations), and two goldfish which are still currently living with my axies and have done for the past 14 month, no injuries or disasters at all, most of the shrimp and minnows however have become food, but at a pound a pop its not that big of a deal, plus my axies gets a little tasty treat out of it too .

Fish? MTS? What can you add to a 2 juvenile axolotl aquarium? I hear if you add any fish they have to be bigger than the axolotls head otherwise they would eat the fish. Please reply!!

 

[Boomsloth]

Anyone considering putting goldfish with their axolotls should realize that goldfish produce a ton of waste and common "comet" goldfish grow to over a foot long and require large aquariums and heavy filtration.