The black axolotl is a stunning new color morph of an old favorite. These salamanders are often chosen by keepers looking for something more unique than a goldfish or frog. But how good of a pet does a black axolotl make?
What is the Black Axolotl?
Baby axolotls soon grow into full sized black axolotls, reaching 12 inches in length. The all black axolotl morph is a melanistic animal; a genetic mutation where excess dark pigments are produced in the skin, feathers, scales, and fur.
Sometimes wild morph axolotls are also sold as black axolotls since they have a dark, camouflage color. But the true black axolotl has black gill filaments and eyes.
If you have spent time hunting for salamanders in nature then you’re aware that the black axolotl does not look much like a terrestrial amphibian. Healthy axolotl gills are easy to see, with a fine, feathery appearance. Why do axolotls look so different from their land dwelling cousins?
Axolotls are an example of neoteny; when an animal doesn’t transform into its adult form. Neotenous salamanders remain in their larval form their entire lives. They don’t transition to a terrestrial form and move out of the water. Axolotls breed, even though they are giant larvae.
It is possible to induce the transformation to a land dwelling black axolotl using iodine. The element stimulates the production of thyroxine in the thyroid gland. But most people prefer keeping the aquatic form.
- Common Names: Black Axolotl, Melanoid Axolotl, Melanistic Axolotl, Black Mexican Walking Fish
- Scientific Name: Ambystoma mexicanum
- Origin: Central Mexico (Lake Xochimilco)
- Length: Up to 12 inches
- Tank Size: 10 to 20 gallons
- Black Axolotl Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
- Temperament: Predatory; Aggressive
- Ease of Care: Very Easy
Black Axolotl Care Requirements
So long as you meet their need for cold temperatures black axolotl care is very easy. These animals don’t do well with tank mates. But they will live for decades in the right conditions.
Axolotl Salamander Habitat Setup
Black axolotls are good beginner amphibians because their habitat needs are so basic. All that’s required is water, a substrate, a place to hide, and some plants if you want it to look nicer.
Light levels should be low most of the time. You could even use just interior room lights, though that would make your axolotl harder to see. Bright lights will stress these salamanders.
Remember, their natural habitat is the dark, murky bottom of Lake Xochimilco. A rock or piece of driftwood that forms a cave provides your black axolotl with a natural hide. When the axolotl knows a hiding place is nearby it will feel more secure about moving in the open.
Aquarium gravel and sand are the two most common substrate choices. Both are attractive but gravel has one downside. Axolotls are indiscriminate eaters; anything that ends up in their mouth may be swallowed.
Sometimes they swallow some gravel grains along with a worm or pellet. These gravel pieces may bunch up in the intestines, causing a fatal blockage.I recommend a sand substrate for black axolotl tanks.
Or you can use no substrate at all. Bare bottomed tanks may not look as fancy. But they are much faster to clean since any axolotl poop and leftover food is easy to vacuum up. Plus the axolotl won’t be stressed by the lack of sand or gravel.
An axolotl tank lid is good for keeping debris from falling in. But not required since these salamanders are aquatic.
Plants in a Black Axolotl Tank
I recommend plastic or silk plants for a black axolotl tank. The dim lighting these animals prefer makes growing even low light plants difficult.
Floating plants are an exception, however. By placing these plants at the surface, they will reduce incoming bright light for your axolotl’s comfort. Floating plants also compete with algae by absorbing phosphates and other nutrients.
Black axolotls are very clumsy, even when young. As they grow larger, they will knock rooted plants around. But floating plants stay safe at the surface.
Plants also use ammonia and other nitrogenous waste compounds as fertilizer. Pollutants that black axolotls make a lot of. Floating plants do a lot to keep aquarium water clean while also improving your setup’s appearance.
Black Axolotl Water Chemistry
Axolotls are not picky when it comes to water chemistry; avoid the extremes and they will thrive. A pH of 6.5-7.5 is ideal for a black axolotl aquarium, with even higher alkalinity and hardness well tolerated.
Tap water in most countries tends to be alkaline and moderate to high in dissolved minerals. So you should not need to adjust the chemistry when doing water changes. Don’t use aquarium salt unless you are treating a specific disease.
Amphibians have permeable skin and It is very easy to overdose with aquarium salt, Medicine and salt overdoses are irritating to healthy axolotl gills and skin. These agents even cause death, depending on the agent being used.
An axolotl tank should have a filter of some kind running. Axolotls are messy eaters and spew crumbs of food when chewing.
Since their diet is meat-based, their food (and poop) causes ammonia levels to rise fast. Power and canister filters are both effective for maintaining good water quality.
Temperature for Axolotl
Water temperature for axolotls is more important than water chemistry. Lake Xochimilco is over 2,000 meters above sea level. So even in the summer the water stays cool.
Temperatures of 50-68℉ are ideal for black axolotls. If you live in a hot part of the world, you may need a chiller. A fan-operated aquarium chiller will reduce the tank temperature by 4-6℉.
Keep in mind that aquarium cooling fans will cause evaporation to happen faster. Meaning you will need to refill your tank more often than usual.
High water temperatures stress black axolotls. Plus they need to eat more and poop more. Like all amphibians, axolotls are ectothermic animals. Meaning their metabolism is regulated by the environment.
What Do Black Axolotls Eat?
Black axolotls are carnivorous animals. They eat any animal small and slow enough to be captured. Crickets, mealworms, earthworms, ghost shrimp, and feeder fish are all good axolotl food.
Be careful not to overfeed them. A black axolotl will eat whenever it has a chance. But they have such a slow metabolism that an adult only needs to eat once or twice per week. While a baby axolotl should eat three times per week.
Axolotls are movement oriented so they may not recognize pellets as food. If trained young you may be able to train them onto prepared food. Chunks of fresh seafood and frozen food are the best substitute for live food.
Thawed bloodworms, tubifex worms, and other frozen prey will waft in the current just like live food does. The smell is also natural enough to trigger a feeding response in a black axolotl.
It is also possible to hand feed a black axolotl. Bare fingers or feeding tongs work just as well. Here is a video demonstrating how to feed an axolotl using tongs:
Black Axolotl Tank Mates
Tank mates are one big downside to axolotyl care. These salamanders are too aggressive and predatory. They have very poor eyesight. So they bite anything that comes close, hoping for a meal.
Fish, snails, and any other animal is in danger of becoming a meal. Even fish too large to swallow will have chunks of fin bitten off.
Even other axolotls may lose a leg or a gill to a bite from their tank mate. Axolotls do have amazing regenerative powers. They will grow back missing limbs, making them a favorite model organism for scientific study.
That said, the open wound is still prone to infection and causes the animal stress. So keep black axolotls by themselves.
Conclusion
When kept clean and cold, black axolotl health problems are few and the animals are long lived. Axolotls eat anything moving and need very basic tank setups. There are few pet amphibians better suited to beginners.
FAQs
Axolotls are freshwater salamanders. They come from Lake Xochimilco, where Mexico City sits. WHile they do need freshwater, they aren’t tropical pets. Cold water is required for optimal health.
Axolotls are not fish or reptiles, both of which have scales. They are amphibians and have slimy skin. Axolotl skin is very permeable since they have no scales to act as a barrier. High levels of salt, ammonia, nitrate, medications and other compounds strongly affect them. Never touch a black axolotl with your bare hands. The oils on your skin are also an irritant to them.
Axolotls will live for up to 20 years. They are very long-lived pet amphibians when kept cold and not overfed.
