Axolotl Tank Mates [15 Best and 9 Worst]

“Have you ever wondered who could be the best tank mate for your pet axolotl? Not just another Axolotls but some aquatic choices beings can prove perfect tank buddies for Axolotls. If you are curious to know about the same, then look no further and read our compiled comprehensive list of compatible tank mates for Axolotls. There’s a perfect companion for every Axolotl out there, be it another axolotl, shrimps, snails, or some fish species.  

Before you keep different aquatic animals together, it is important to know that Axolotls are not comfortable and compatible with them all. These freshwater creatures can only coexist with certain species of fish and other amphibians, given you provide them with the right condition. So, join us as we find the most suitable Axolotl tank mates. You are going to love these aquatics. Bringing them home is nothing less than a rewarding experience. Are you ready to start:

Complete Axolotl Tank Mates List

Axolotls are fascinating aquatic pets that can live in a community tank with compatible tank mates. Here is a more complete list of axolotl tank mates to consider:

Here is an expanded list of potential axolotl tank mates:

1. Other Axolotls: Axolotls can be housed together as long as they are of similar size and kept in a spacious tank with plenty of hiding spots.
2. White Cloud Mountain Minnows: These small, peaceful fish are compatible with axolotls and are easy to care for.
3. Guppies: These small, colorful fish are compatible with axolotls and can add some color and activity to the tank.
4. Zebra Danios: These small, active fish are compatible with axolotls and can add some activity to the tank.
5. Apple Snails: These peaceful snails are compatible with axolotls and can help keep the tank clean.
6. Cherry Shrimp: These small, peaceful shrimp are great tank mates for axolotls and help keep the tank clean.
7. Amano Shrimp: These larger shrimp are also compatible with axolotls and can help keep the tank clean.
8. Cardinal Tetras: These small, peaceful fish are compatible with axolotls and add some color to the tank.
9. Endler’s Livebearers: These small, peaceful fish are compatible with axolotls and come in a variety of colors.
10. Pygmy Corydoras: These small, peaceful bottom dwellers are compatible with axolotls and can help keep the tank clean.
11. Rosy Barbs: These small, peaceful fish are compatible with axolotls and come in a variety of colors.
12. Dwarf Gourami: These peaceful fish are compatible with axolotls and come in a variety of colors.
13. Bristlenose Pleco: These peaceful algae-eating fish can coexist with axolotls and add some variety to the tank.
14. Dojo Loaches: These peaceful bottom dwellers are compatible with axolotls and can help keep the tank clean.
15. Weather Loaches: These peaceful bottom dwellers are compatible with axolotls and can add some variety to the tank.

Remember to always research the specific needs and behaviors of any potential tank mates before introducing them to your axolotl’s tank. And always monitor their behavior closely to ensure that they are not causing any harm to your axolotls.

Avoid aggressive fish or those that may nip at the axolotl’s gills or fins. Additionally, axolotls may eat smaller fish or invertebrates, so it’s important to choose tank mates that are of similar size or larger than the axolotl. Be sure to research the specific needs and behaviors of any potential tank mates before introducing them to your axolotl’s tank.

9 Worst Axolotl tank mates

Axolotls are generally peaceful creatures that can live with other species in a community tank, but there are some species that are not compatible with them. Here are some potential axolotl tank mates to avoid:

1. Goldfish: Goldfish are known to be fin nippers, which can cause stress and injury to axolotls.
2. Bettas: Bettas are known for their aggressive behavior and may attack axolotls.
3. Cichlids: Cichlids are also known for their aggressive behavior and may attack axolotls.
4. Turtles: Turtles are not compatible with axolotls as they may try to bite or eat them.
5. Larger predatory fish: Any large predatory fish that may see the axolotl as prey should be avoided.
6. Crayfish: Crayfish can be aggressive and may attack axolotls.
7. Large snails: Large snails can also be aggressive and may attack axolotls.
8. Ghost Shrimp: Ghost shrimp may be small, but they can be aggressive and may attack axolotls.
9. African Clawed Frogs: African clawed frogs are not compatible with axolotls as they are aggressive and may attack them.

5 Most Popular Axolotl Tank Mates In Detail

Fishes

Axolotls can live with some fish species stress-fully in the same tank. These fishes should be the ones that can survive in the freshwater tank and can escape the attacks of your axolotls. Or the fish should be bigger than Axolotls so that these amphibians do not consider them their prey. Some of the fishes you can introduce in your Axolotls’ tank include:

• Mexican Skiffia francesae or Golden Skiffia
• Characodon lateralis
• Orange-finned danio
• Golden Barbs
• Mustached Danios and Pearl Danios
• Green swordtail, preferably female over male, since the latter are territorial.
• Rosy Barbs, at least 6 of them so that they can stay calm.

Snails

Besides fishes, some snail species make perfect Axolotl mates within a tank/ aquarium setup. As long as Snails can adjust to the specific care requirements of Axolotls, you can keep them together. Some of the Snails you can keep together with Axolotls include:

• Apple snails are suitable for keeping along with large Axolotls. However, they can be a dangerous addition for small Axolotls.
• Bladder snails are much smaller and reproduce quickly. They are ideal for keeping along with Axolotls of the same size and speed. 

Freshwater Bugs

A few freshwater bugs can coexist with Axolotls in the same tank. However, there are always some risks associated with keeping them together. Some of which you can consider keeping with Axolotls as tank mates include:

• Asellus aquaticus. However, monitor their interaction with Axolotls and ensure enough hiding places for both. Consider keeping both species of the same size together, or Axolotls may eat Asellus.
• Gammarus fasciatus, at least 15 to 20 of them, so they can reproduce before Axolotls eat all of them. 

Shrimp

Shrimps, though, aren’t very likely to survive in the same tank as Axolotls, but there are a few you can try. For instance:

• Ghost shrimp (freshwater shrimps) 2 inches in length or larger are ideal for keeping as mates with Axolotls in the tank. The shrimp must be bigger or equal in size to that of Axolotl so that they aren’t viewed as food. 
• Fancy shrimp and Cherry shrimp can be kept together with small Axolotls only. However, it is important to monitor if these shrimps are tolerating the environment well of the tank or if the water temperature is too cold for them. If the latter, then remove them immediately.

Other Axolotls

The best tank mate and aquarium companion for Axolotls are another Axolotls. Multiple of these creatures can live together as long as each of them has enough space to move around and hide. However, it is ideal for keeping Axolotls of the same size, health, and temperament together.

Avoid keeping big and small Axolotls in one tank since the former will eat later in cases of extreme hunger and food scarcity. Also, even when keeping together the ones of the same size, monitor them closely to ensure that there are no signs of aggression or stress.

Can Betta Fish and Gold Fish Live Together With Axolotls?

No, it is not advisable to keep betta fish or goldfish together with axolotls in the same tank or aquarium. Betta fish are tropical fish and require warmer water temperatures. Whereas Axolotls require cold and fresh water to survive, and thus, both of them cannot live together in the same conditions.

Goldfish, on the other hand, require even cooler water temperatures than axolotls, thus again making it difficult to house both together. Goldfishes are also known for their aggressive behavior, and they can nip at the fins of axolotls. Similarly, betta fish can be territorial and may thus attack the axolotls.

That is why it is better to keep axolotls in a species-only tank. Or, if you want to keep them with other species, choose the one with similar care requirements and temperament. 

Tank Mates, You Should Avoid With Axolotls

Axolotls are gentle and slow-moving creatures. Keeping them with other tank mates, especially incompatible ones, can easily stress both creatures. That is why it is important to avoid certain tank mates, no matter how curious you are, to keep them together. Here are some tank mates to avoid with axolotls:

1. Avoid fishes that are too small or too fast-moving. Some of the fishes that are completely incompatible with Axoltols include neon tetras or guppies. Due to their small size, they can easily become prey by the axolotls.
2. Avoid aggressive or territorial fish that can attack Axolotls or stress them out. Some of such fishes include cichlids or betta fish. 
3. Avoid keeping creatures like Crustaceans (crayfish or crabs). They will either compete for food or can attack the axolotls.
4. Avoid keeping snails that are too large in the same tank with Axolotls, or they will disrupt the delicate of the tank. 
5. Avoid keeping amphibians and reptiles, such as turtles or frogs, together with Axolotls. 

How To Prevent Fish From Attacking My Axolotl Or Vice Versa?

No matter how compatible an aquatic species is with Axolotls, it is important to monitor their interaction, or both can turn the tank into a fighting ground. Here’s how you can prevent fish from attacking your Axolotl or vice versa:

1. Always choose tank mates that are compatible with your Axolotl. Choose peaceful and slow-moving species, especially one of the same size and temperament as your Axolotl. Also, avoid fish that are known to be aggressive or territorial. 
2. Monitor the interactions in the tank and ensure none of the Axolotl and fish are showing signs of stress or aggression. Upon noticing aggression like fin nipping or chasing, separate them right away.
3. Create plenty of hiding places and structures in the tank for both Axolotl and other creatures. Add rocks, plants, and caves, where the Axolotl can hide if it feels stressed or threatened. 
4. Feed your Axolotl and fish separately. This is important to ensure that each animal gets enough food. The idea is to prevent competition for food.

10 Things To Know Before Introducing A New Tank Mate With Axolotls

Before you introduce a new tank mate with axolotls, here are a few things to consider:  

1. Choose tank mates that are compatible with axolotls. Consider compatibility in terms of size, temperament, and environmental need. Avoid any tank mate that can harm or stress Axolotls.
2. Quarantine any new tank mates for at least two weeks. Doing so is important to prevent the spread of diseases and parasites in the tank.
3. Ensure that your tank size is large enough to accommodate all the creatures. Every creature, be it Axolotl, fish, or snail, must have separate space to move around and sections to hide. Doing so is important to prevent aggression or stress.
4. Maintain good water quality, check the water parameters regularly, and perform regular water changes. Axolotls are sensitive to high levels of chlorine, ammonia, and nitrite; thus, take care of that. 
5. Feed your axolotls and other tank mates separately. Doing so is important to ensure that each animal receives an adequate amount of food and that none of them fight for feeding. 
6. Consider the temperament of your axolotls before introducing new tank mates. Though Axolotls are peaceful creatures, some of them can be aggressive as well and thus won’t behave well with tank mates. 
7. Make sure that any new tank mates aren’t too small or big than the Axolotl. The idea of keeping the same size of creatures together is to avoid any of them being prey and predators. 
8. Learn about the specific care requirements of any potential tank mates. Ensure they are compatible with axolotls and can handle similar water conditions and temperature ranges.
9. Before you introduce any new tank mates into your Axolotls tank, make sure you acclimate them slowly to the water temperature and conditions. Doing so is important to prevent stress and illness.
10. Monitor all the tank mates closely, and if you notice any signs of stress or aggression, separate the animals.

Wrapping up…

When selecting tank mates for axolotls, it is important to choose peaceful species that will not harm or stress the axolotls. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping fish, and ensure all species have similar water temperature and pH requirements.