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

[GlowingFauxPas]

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.

Isn't that true of axolotls themselves?

 

[Boomsloth]

Isn't that true of axolotls themselves?

Yes both are messy but the difference is an adult axolotl can live happily in a 10 gallon tank while an adult goldfish depending on type (the fancy fan tails need less but are easily picked off by axolotls) needs anywhere from 30 to 55 gallons of space and water.

That was a small feeder goldfish that is now over a foot. It was housed in 120 gallons until I moved it outside.

 

[Stacey87]

well my goldfish are only bout 2.5" - 3 " and haven't grew at all, i do however have them housed in a 6 foot tank and keep it very clean with regular water changes/checks. like i said in last post they've been in there about 14 month and have NEVER had any problems, including water parameters.

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.

 

[Stacey87]

not sure where you are from but where i live i have never seen a goldfish as big as that ha ha, its a monster.

Yes both are messy but the difference is an adult axolotl can live happily in a 10 gallon tank while an adult goldfish depending on type (the fancy fan tails need less but are easily picked off by axolotls) needs anywhere from 30 to 55 gallons of space and water.

That was a small feeder goldfish that is now over a foot. It was housed in 120 gallons until I moved it outside.

 

[allied123]

I really don't understand why people keep INSISTING on mixing axolotls with anything or why they keep bringing up threads like this. It's great that you personally haven't had any issues doesn't mean you should be advising others to do the same. Yes it's your choice to put your axies in with goldfish or whatever but saying it like that makes new people think it's totally fine to do this but things can/do happen (I know there's a thread or comment page talking about mixing species and all the horror stories but I don't remember what it was called).

I think most goldfish actually do get very large in an appropriate environment. Even fancy goldfish can get pretty big compared to how small they are when you buy them usually. If yours haven't it's probably only because they've been stunted (I'm not trying to judge you or anything, I have accidentally stunted many goldfish without realizing it as well as I'm sure everyone has at one point or another) and while no one really cares about goldfish it is a little mean and does impact their life expectancy doesn't it?

Again I don't think anyone here is really concerned about the goldfish but they are messy and produce a lot of ammonia which puts more strain on your ecosystem. Goldfish are also ALWAYS looking for food and axies gills are bound to look tempting sooner or later. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's tired of seeing/having this conversation.

 

[auntiejude]

There are 4 basic rules for keeping axies:

1. Cold water (15-18C)
2. No gravel or bright lights
3. Axies eat worms
4. Axies should only live with other axies about the same size as them (or food)

If YOU choose to disregard this generally accepted advice thats fine - but it is YOUR problem if something happens. Just because you have been lucky enough to get away with it doesn't mean everyone will be.

These 'rules' have been developed over dozens of years of axie keeping, and are considered to be 'best practice'. If you choose to keep your axie(s) in sub-optimal conditions thats up to you, but newcomers deserve to know what the best conditions for their axie are.

 

[sde]

I really don't understand why people keep INSISTING on mixing axolotls with anything or why they keep bringing up threads like this. It's great that you personally haven't had any issues doesn't mean you should be advising others to do the same. Yes it's your choice to put your axies in with goldfish or whatever but saying it like that makes new people think it's totally fine to do this but things can/do happen (I know there's a thread or comment page talking about mixing species and all the horror stories but I don't remember what it was called).

I think most goldfish actually do get very large in an appropriate environment. Even fancy goldfish can get pretty big compared to how small they are when you buy them usually. If yours haven't it's probably only because they've been stunted (I'm not trying to judge you or anything, I have accidentally stunted many goldfish without realizing it as well as I'm sure everyone has at one point or another) and while no one really cares about goldfish it is a little mean and does impact their life expectancy doesn't it?

Again I don't think anyone here is really concerned about the goldfish but they are messy and produce a lot of ammonia which puts more strain on your ecosystem. Goldfish are also ALWAYS looking for food and axies gills are bound to look tempting sooner or later. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's tired of seeing/having this conversation.

Sure, stuff does happen sometimes, but species mixing with axolotls is completely exaggerated in my opinion. I am presently working on a "chart" that shows what other Caudata species can or can't be mixed with axolotls, and there are some that potentially CAN be mixed.
The truth of it is, mixing species with axolotls is usually a bad idea, but it can be done safely, and it rather annoys me that people are constantly saying "NO! NO! NO! You can't mix anything with axolotls!" when they don't always have any real reason why. I am not trying to be rude or harsh, but I if you feel a species should not be mixed with a species, please give a reason why. And quite frankly, it is different in different situations I think, like if you are mixing a axolotl with goldfish in a bare bottom plant less setup would probably be more likely for there to be a problem then in a planted setup with plenty of room etc..
Yes, goldfish to produce a lot of waste, but if you keep your tank clean and you have plants ( they help reduce ammonia ) then it might not be that bad. Of course, everyone has there own opinion and is entitled to it, and I am not trying to be rude like I said before but that is my opinion, thought I would throw it out there.
Also, i have been successfully mixing several different species for months now, (3 species of amphibian and several snails etc. ) with absolutely no problems.

There are 4 basic rules for keeping axies:

1. Cold water (15-18C)
2. No gravel or bright lights
3. Axies eat worms
4. Axies should only live with other axies about the same size as them (or food)

If YOU choose to disregard this generally accepted advice thats fine - but it is YOUR problem if something happens. Just because you have been lucky enough to get away with it doesn't mean everyone will be.

These 'rules' have been developed over dozens of years of axie keeping, and are considered to be 'best practice'. If you choose to keep your axie(s) in sub-optimal conditions thats up to you, but newcomers deserve to know what the best conditions for their axie are.

Axolotls can be mixed with some species, snails, for one, can almost always be mixed with axolotls in my opinion. Unless they are trap door snails or they are the perfect size for impaction or choking.
If you know what can and can't be mixed, and do it correctly, it is usually ok.

I am all for the 'rule' most of the time, but it is simply frustrating to me when people say not to mix things and don't provide any reason.

Like I said before, this is just my opinion on the matter, and we all have our own, so please don't take this the wrong way. :happy: -Seth

 

[Jonjey]

The common rule for mixing species is "Don't do it because don't do it."
Meaning people will say not to do it because they were told not to do it, they have not by any means tested and experimented with most of the possibilities that are out there, and even though there are plenty of species that have no real logical reasons not to mix (ie; sirens/axolotls, similarly sized small newt species, small docile fish with pretty much anything, pretty much any kind of shrimp with pretty much anything, etc) people will tell you that it's abusive and that wanting to expand these topics beyond "don't do it" is neglect and that you're an unfit owner for even thinking about it.
#negrepfolife
#deletedcomment
#goodbyegreensquare
#helloredsquare

 

[Boomsloth]

Totally agree with you Seth. I have had small guppies and bladder snails with my axies but keep MTS only in my fish tanks.

My reasoning against goldfish is they need more space than an axolotl and as they grow they need food more consistently then an axolotl. There are only a few plant species that goldfish won't graze down to nothing and most are not fast growers. Also it's important to choose the right size of each. An axolotl won't eat a full grown goldfish but a hungry goldfish will go for anything possible.

 

[Boomsloth]

The common rule for mixing species is "Don't do it because don't do it."
Meaning people will say not to do it because they were told not to do it, they have not by any means tested and experimented with most of the possibilities that are out there, and even though there are plenty of species that have no real logical reasons not to mix (ie; sirens/axolotls, similarly sized small newt species, small docile fish with pretty much anything, pretty much any kind of shrimp with pretty much anything, etc) people will tell you that it's abusive and that wanting to expand these topics beyond "don't do it" is neglect and that you're an unfit owner for even thinking about it.
#negrepfolife
#deletedcomment
#goodbyegreensquare
#helloredsquare

Not that things can't get along but more about different habitats and environmental needs. Axolotls were top predator in the wild and only lived with small fish and crustaceans that were preyed upon. I'm sure there are species that they can exist with that will work it's just for the beginner axolotl owner it might not be wise to just say yes they can get along with some fish or say stories about "they never bothered each other"
If I had a large tank id probably set up a population of WCMs with my axolotls. But most pet stores will sell mostly tropical fish that won't thrive in colder temps.

 

[GlowingFauxPas]

Axolotls were top predator in the wild and only lived with small fish and crustaceans that were preyed upon.

Do you mean to say it would be fine to keep an axolotl with small fish and crustaceans?

 

[Boomsloth]

Do you mean to say it would be fine to keep an axolotl with small fish and crustaceans?

It really depends on specific species. When I say small crustaceans I mean small shrimp like ghost or red cherry shrimp. Small soft shell snails will also work. They are usually considered a pest so no place will really sell them but might give them away for free. Things like crayfish are definitely not recommended. As for small fish, guppies work well but won't breed at those temps. WCMs will thrive in those cold temps but any small fish will eventually be eaten.

 

[xxianxx]

Do you mean to say it would be fine to keep an axolotl with small fish and crustaceans?

Certain species of fish and invertebrates are OK to keep with axolotls , though they should be considered as food rather than tankmates. The species I have kept with axolotls are endlers, guppies, white cloud mountain minnows, hog lice, greater pond snails and cherry shrimp

 

[Jonjey]

Is a full grown Bamboo Shrimp too big for a full grown Axolotl to eat?
Those bamboo shrimp get pretty big.

 

[Boomsloth]

Is a full grown Bamboo Shrimp too big for a full grown Axolotl to eat?

Those bamboo shrimp get pretty big.

I've seen some pretty big ones but all could fit in a large axolotls mouth. I wouldn't spend the money on something that will most likely become food when I can have other options.

 

[xxianxx]

A 9" axolotl can easily eat a 3" one, I doubt a shrimp would be a problem.

 

[Jonjey]

A 9" axolotl can easily eat a 3" one, I doubt a shrimp would be a problem.

Bamboo shrimp can get to about 5" long and pretty thick. I'm not saying they wouldn't get eaten, just pointing that out.

 

[rachel1]

Just wanted to mention that one really huge risk factor when mixing amphibian species that are from isolated habitats is the potential to spread possibly deadly novel pathogens that could be devastating in one of the populations. It is thought that the chytrid problem ravaging dendrobatid species originally came from African clawed frogs, who appear to be relatively immune carrier organisms. Think smallpox and measles and their impact on the Native Americans, who had no immunity due to lack of exposure.
Also wanted to mention that most of the "don't do it because I heard not to" comes out of people with years of experience in the hobby, who get sick of repeating the myriad reasons it's a bad idea every couple weeks.
Maybe some individual goldfish can be kept with an axolotl, but I personally know a hobbyist whose new axolotl didn't last a week in a lovely heavily planted goldfish tank- it was eaten alive by the fish. Maybe this won't happen to everyone, but I can see no benefit to either species from keeping them together.
Obviously you can keep your own pets however you see fit, and some well researched mixing may work out fine, but It's not wrong to advise that as a general rule, mixing is a bad idea. That being said, I don't really consider keeping appropriate prey animals (like small shrimp, soft shell snails, aquatic worms, and possibly minnows) in the tank to be species mixing, more like habitat enrichment.

 

[Boomsloth]

Just wanted to mention that one really huge risk factor when mixing amphibian species that are from isolated habitats is the potential to spread possibly deadly novel pathogens that could be devastating in one of the populations. It is thought that the chytrid problem ravaging dendrobatid species originally came from African clawed frogs, who appear to be relatively immune carrier organisms. Think smallpox and measles and their impact on the Native Americans, who had no immunity due to lack of exposure.

Also wanted to mention that most of the "don't do it because I heard not to" comes out of people with years of experience in the hobby, who get sick of repeating the myriad reasons it's a bad idea every couple weeks.

Maybe some individual goldfish can be kept with an axolotl, but I personally know a hobbyist whose new axolotl didn't last a week in a lovely heavily planted goldfish tank- it was eaten alive by the fish. Maybe this won't happen to everyone, but I can see no benefit to either species from keeping them together.

Obviously you can keep your own pets however you see fit, and some well researched mixing may work out fine, but It's not wrong to advise that as a general rule, mixing is a bad idea. That being said, I don't really consider keeping appropriate prey animals (like small shrimp, soft shell snails, aquatic worms, and possibly minnows) in the tank to be species mixing, more like habitat enrichment.

Just going to add in that axolotls are also known carriers of chytrid.

Besides what's been mentioned already I can't think of any other species of aquarium fish that would tolerate axolotl temperatures.

 

[sde]

That being said, I don't really consider keeping appropriate prey animals (like small shrimp, soft shell snails, aquatic worms, and possibly minnows) in the tank to be species mixing, more like habitat enrichment.

I agree 100% on that one.