Axolotls are amphibians who can continue living in water even after reaching adulthood. However, captive axolotls often live longer than wild ones.
Axolotls are also some of the most interesting little creatures you can have in your aquarium. These little fish-salamander hybrids, also known as the Mexican walking fishes, have a fantastic lifespan.
So how long is Axolotl’s lifespan in captivity? Keep reading to see more!
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How Long Is Axolotl Lifespan in Captivity?
How long is your Axolotl’s lifespan in captivity?
The lifespan of Axolotls is usually 10 years in captivity. However, some can live up to two decades or longer if it receives the proper care.
Therefore, adopting Axolotls is a massive commitment that requires dedication and consistency.
In ideal captivity, you can expect your Axolotls to live up to 2 decades, meaning 20 years or more. But ten years is the average lifespan of Axolotls as pets.
The lifespan of an Axolotl is significantly affected by a few factors, such as axolotl habitat, care, and food provided.
Are axolotls hard to keep alive? Not really! Although Axolotls would not aquatic species that are difficult to care for, you need to pay attention to the water quality as it is the essential factor.
Other factors like the presence of tank mates, infections and parasites, and drastic temperature changes can cause your Axolotls to die suddenly.
Raising axolotls in your aquarium is an exciting yet challenging thing because they are one of the endangered species. Some states even prohibit keeping Axolotls as pets since these are protected species.
How Long Do Axolotls Live In The Wild?
How long does the axolotl live in the wild?
The governments of many countries have been attempting to protect Axolotls from extinction for the last fifty years. But even so, seeing this species in the wild is challenging.
Various factors can cause this animal to not live long in the wild, such as they are potential prey of falcons, larger fish, or even other axolotls.
The fact is that the lifespan of Axolotl in the wild is only about half that of the cultured condition. It means they can live from 5 to 10 years in the wild.
As a result, humans need to rescue and conduct breeding Axolotls to maintain the axolotl population and prevent them from becoming extinct.
Why Is The Axolotl Endangered?
Axolotls are one of the endangered species whose numbers are continuously decreasing in the wild, which could lead to complete extinction shortly.
So what causes this species to be on the verge of extinction?
Pollution Water
Human development has damaged the natural habitat of many species, including Axolotls. Due to water pollution, this species was nearly extinct in 2010 and remained critically endangered in the wild.
Overfishing
It is an old story of demand and supply. When these animals became an ultimate delicacy in Mexico, the demand increased rapidly, causing overfishing.
Therefore, it is unsurprising that the number of Axolotls has decreased rapidly since then.
Predators
These animals do not have much in the way of self-defense.
They are slow-moving, with no claws and teeth, making them ideal prey for many predators in the wild.
Habitat Loss
The expansion of Mexico city nearly completely drained and destroyed lake Xochimilco, one of the habitats of these animals.
How To Ensure Your Axolotls Live A Long Life?
Tips to prolong the life of your Axolotls.
If you want to keep your Axolotls alive for as long as possible, follow these tips:
Water Parameters
You need to keep the water in your aquarium at the right temperature.
In most cases, your Axolotls require the water in your tank at a specific temperature, ideally between 60°F and 64°F, which is quite cool.
We recommend that you invest in a cooling unit and an aquarium thermometer for your aquarium.
Keep Your Tank Clean
It is essential to ensure that the water in your aquarium is as clean as possible for humans.
These animals are very sensitive to dirty water, especially nitrates and ammonia.
Generally, dirty water is very bad for the axolotl since it may cause stress in these animals.
Also, dirty water can cause Axolotls’ organs to shut down, and a minimal level of ammonia may cause death.
Minimal Handling
In some cases, you’ll have to touch Axolotls, such as when cleaning tanks or checking their health.
However, we recommend avoiding contact and keeping your handling of Axolotls to an absolute minimum.
The Proper Food
The ideal food for Axolotls is insect larvae, daphnia, fish fry, worms, etc.
It is okay to feed your animals some cooked lean beef and lean chicken or cooked shrimp.
Your Axolotls can also be perfectly healthy on a diet that includes earthworms.
The Proper Tank Mates
The ideal tank mates for your axolotls are other axolotls, snails, shrimp, and small, peaceful fish such as minnows.
Also, you should avoid fast-swimming, large, territorial, voracious eating, aggressive, or bottom-dwelling fishes.
FAQs
How Much Does An Axolotl Cost?
Axolotls are generally considered inexpensive pets with an initial cost of about $30 to $100 for basic and juvenile axolotls.
The price may vary for exotic or adult axolotls. For example, rare axolotls like a piebald axolotl may cost about $100.
How Many Eggs Can Axolotls Lay?
The Axolotl’s breeding season is from December to June, and each female can lay up to 1000 eggs in a single breeding season!
Can I Touch My Axolotl?
You can touch your axolotls, although it is not recommended.
You can touch your axolotls for a short time in emergencies, such as during tank water changes, disease checks, and other problems.
The Bottom Line
You’ve got the answer to “How long do axolotls live as pets?”
Hopefully, through this article, you will be more responsible for raising Axolotls to prolong their life, helping to prevent this species from becoming extinct.
Also, you need to ensure that keeping these animals as pets is legal in your area to avoid legal troubles. Thank you for reading!
Alex is a pet freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. He attended Colorado State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, which was where he first got some experience in animal nutrition. After graduating from University, Alex began sharing his knowledge as a freelance writer specializing in pets.
