How many axolotls could I reasonably have in my tank?

[Leafy]

I finally upgraded my female axy's tank to a larger one, since she's been growing - and I was wondering how many additional axolotls would be reasonable with the provided dimensions.

Yes, I have succumbed to the addiction...can never have just one! :rofl:

Inside Dimensions:
Width: 48cm
Length: 88cm

Height: 44cm

If only 2 axolotls max is recommended, would you recommend a melanoid or wild type for company with an albino?
I've heard things about wild types more prone to nipping at other morphs, and I would hate for something like that to happen (even though I would make sure to only keep the same size axolotls together)!
Is this something I should worry about as far as morphs go? Anyone with experience of wild types with other morphs?

Also, is there a particular way you would introduce axolotls to each other? I don't want to be irresponsible and just 'plonk' a new axy in the tank and hope for the best, if that could be a recipe for chaos. I'm such a worry wart.

 

[WordsOfFate]

Hello! So it seems like you have approximately a 49-gallon tank which can technically hold up to 4 axolotls, but I personally wouldn't recommend putting any more than 3 in there considering how messy they are. 4 would be really pushing it so 3 is definitely a lot safer.

Also, I definitely wouldn't recommend a wild type. Wild types are known for being far more aggressive than other morphs, especially aggressive towards non-wild type axies. You'd definitely be better off with a melanoid or any other type or morph instead.

As for putting them in together, when I moved my two adults in together for the first time I waited until they were both 6 inches (so they had grown out of their cannibalism stage) and placed them right in together. Usually, axolotls are fine being housed together, but definitely keep an eye out on them for the first few hours. Mine got along just fine and are to this day the best of friends, but there's always a chance they might not get along so be prepared to separate them if need be. As long as you have at least 2 hides (though I do recommend extras) in the tank, they should be fine. Fair warning though, axolotls tend to be more aggressive during feeding time so try to feed them on opposite sides of the tank; even the friendliest axolotls can turn vicious if they think the other is going to take their worm, haha.

And that's about it! I wish you luck with your new axie! Once you have one, it's always tempting to get another. I recently gave in and got a third one, a beautiful baby copper :')

 

[Leafy]

Thanks for the advice, WordsOfFate!

I'll stay away from wild types then in that case. I can always choose a white albino or leucistic instead, along with the melanoid. I won't be rushing to get them just yet though anyway, as I still need to fill out the tank with more plants and hides, and be able to tell with absolute certainty if Vanille is actually female or not (I just think she is, but she's only 7 1/4", had her around 4 months and true age unknown).

Besides, it may probably be wise to only get one addition at a time when I finally do - since I only have one back up tank for a single axolotl if one doesn't get along. I don't know if I'm being over cautious as I've forgotten the old tank's dimensions, but I'm not sure if two axies in that one would be pushing it - and the well-being of my pets is paramount.

My only question left would be more in choosing the genders of the new additions if adopted old enough, so I could have the experience of raising a clutch and have the best pairings possible with them. I'm mostly interested in white albinos and leucistics, with melonoids and pale golden albinos a close second. I don't exactly know what colour variations these could produce depending on pairings, especially if I don't know the specific genotype (which is the case with Vanille, besides the obvious a/a). But all in due time!

 

[WordsOfFate]

No problem at all!

I'm sure there are some people who have had luck keeping wild types with other axies since they all have their own personalities and housing preferences so if you really like them and wanted to try it, by all means! It's just something you should be prepared for the worst. You mentioned adopting axies so perhaps if you find a wild type axie for adoption that's previously been socialized with other lotls you might have some luck there

Also yes, I would definitely recommend only getting one at a time not only because of possible fighting but because even if your tank is fully cycled, suddenly going from just one lotl to 3 will put quite a strain on the cycle. They're absolutely adorable, but axolotls are the dirtiest creatures I've ever come across, haha.

Usually, by 7-8 inches you can tell the gender (or sometimes even sooner) so it might very well be female. That said, it probably is better to wait just a couple more months to be certain of its gender. I personally wouldn't recommend purposely housing a male and a female together just because the male may try to overbreed the female and from what I know, females shouldn't lay any more than 2 or 3 batches of eggs a year because the strain can shorten her lifespan.

But if you get a new axie and they end up being opposite genders, oh well! The timing for when they want to breed is strange. I've read various stories of people keeping opposite gender axolotls in the same tank and there never once were eggs, or the female only had a batch of eggs every few years. On the other hand, I've also read stories where they were mating constantly. It's all up to luck I suppose, haha.

As for the in-depth breeding stuff, I, unfortunately, don't have any knowledge of that. I don't have the money or space to raise baby lotls, but hopefully one day

I'm really happy you're interested in giving your lotl a friend, though! Most people believe axolotls aren't social creatures (which is true, to some degree) but I do disagree with the notion that they don't benefit from axolotl companions. My two girls were separated until they had grown out of their cannibalism stage and it only took a few days of them being housed together for me to notice a change in them. They were practically inseparable and even now in a giant 75-gallon tank with 4 different hides, they're almost always snuggled up together in the same hide (despite the two of them barely fitting in there together). And now with the introduction of my newest juvenile lotl, the three of them get along amazingly.

There are definitely axolotls who'd much rather be alone, but I personally think it's really good to house the more social ones together! I really hope your axolotls get along well together and I hope you post pictures of them here!

 

[Leafy]

Firstly, if my mobile runs out of battery before I finish typing a reply one more time... :lol:

I forgot to mention before, but I would keep my axies separated by gender normally except for one breeding pair. I'm aware of the over-breeding risk in a long-term mixed tank, so I'd definitely avoid that at all costs. I probably wouldn't breed more than once a year anyway, even with alternating breeding pairs.

I do have my eyes on yet another (and also larger) tank though, so that I can eventually have a near-even mix of total males and females. The chances of me getting rare morphs are probably none, haha - so I'll just focus on making really nice planted tank set ups and having one of each axolotl morph I like (and easily enough get). I'd probably end up with 4 main lotls, unless luck strikes with breeding or adoption.

I also feel similarly to you when it comes to axolotl socialness. Even though she's just being a normal axie, Vanille is still very curious about her surroundings and never fails to 'say hello' to me when she can. I get all the free finger-boops (not always snaps) an axolotl parent could ever want. I can't help but think having a companion would at least be nice for her, if not somewhat beneficial. I could easily see her being like your lotls - who sound adorable by the way.

I'll definitely post pictures of my tank and future tank as well when I'm happy with them. I'm currently drawing a blank when it comes to aquascaping and stuff. I want a natural themed tank with plenty of greenery, and a nice mix of drift wood and rock as is ok for the water. Even after I figure out how I'll go about that, I'm still thinking of hides that will fit that theme. I'll go with a terracotta garden pot if I have to, but I'm still scratching my brain.