- Tank Setup: The tank should be around 4ft long, and 400L (105.6Gallons). The light is only for photographic purposes.
Substrate: Here is a list of different substrates available, and whether they are suitable or not.
Bare Bottomed Tank
Substrate is not required for axolotls, although it does look better - and they do seem to prefer to have something to 'grip' to as they walk around.
Bare bottomed tanks are easy to maintain, as uneaten food/poo is easily spotted and removed. Some say that axolotls may get stressed on bare-bottom tanks over time, as they like to have the traction of substrate to walk on. I personally have found this false, I've had many axolotls - both young and adults - on bare-bottom tanks without difficulty. I have found they can move a little bit easier with substrate, though - but have not found it to be stressful.
Sand
Sand is the ideal substrate for axolotls. It looks good, and is safe from them being impacted. The very best thing about it, is seeing those adorable little axolotl footprints in it... and seeing them gallop across it with grace!
Sand comes in lots of different types and coarseness. You want to choose a fine sand, not a gravelly sand.
I find play sand/fine builders sand is perfect.
Make sure to rinse the sand lots and lots, until it really runs clear before use.
River Rocks or Large Pebbles
River rocks, when they are all bigger than the axolotls head, can be a nice substrate. Although, food and poo get caught in it easily - and it is very hard to keep clean; so for that reason, I wouldn't recommend it. From experience, I've found axolotls also seem to be able to move around on sand or bare-bottom tanks a bit easier than river rocks.
Gravel
Axolotls can, and will, eat anything smaller than the size of their heads. Impaction is a common occurrence, with often results with death.
You may not see your axolotl eat gravel, but you cannot watch them 24/7. It doesn't take much for an axolotl to snap at something, either, so if you have your axolotl on gravel, it is a matter of when - not if - they will eat some, and get impacted.
Gravel is a major no-no for axolotls. - Lighting: Axolotls do not have eyelids, so lighting can be stressful for them. Unless growing live plants, aquarium lights are not recommended. If you do have live plants, make sure there are hides that the axolotl can hide away from the light in. Room lights, windows, etc. are all OK, as long as the lighting is not direct.
- Temperature: Temperature is very important to axolotls, although they are from Mexico, their native lakes were glacial fed - so were quite cool.
Their temperature should be between 14°C-19°C (57°F-66°F). Higher temperatures than that is very stressful to axolotls, and long term can result in death. Temperature fluctuations is also stressful for them, even if only a few degrees. - Feeding: Adult axolotls are best fed every other day, rather than every day. Try to aim for their stomach to be as wide as their head.Their diet should be based on earthworms,crickets, mealworms and bloodworms but some pellets are not bad for them.