There is a lot to figure out when it comes to tank sharing. It’s a common question to want to know the implications of keeping a male and female axolotl in the same tank. Will they breed and how do they get on with each other?
A male and female axolotl can share the same tank, but if they are both sexually mature they will breed. After breeding they should then be separated to stop continual breeding which would stress the female.
But is it a good idea that they share at all? Find out the pros and cons, and what to avoid.
Can You Keep Male And Female Axolotls Together?
There is a broader question about generally keeping axolotls together in the same tank, but there is a distinct question as to whether a male and female in the same tank is a good idea. The simple answer is yes you can, if they are of similar size. But there is a very high risk of breeding if they are sexually mature. Probably a certainty.
A male and female could possibly be kept together if they are under 6 months old and similar size without the risk of breeding because it’s unlikely they will both be sexually mature. But it’s important to try and get a good feeding regime on the go, so that they understand the routine and don’t try to eat each other. The young age does mean that the pairing might not actually be male and female as they may be too young to clearly identify their gender.
If you don’t want the responsibility of looking after a lot of baby axolotls it really isn’t a good idea to have male and female axolotls sharing the same tank. For those who do want to breed then one axolotl needs to be put in a separate tank after breeding, as the male would want to continue breeding and put too much strain on the female.
Kept with the male the female could be laying eggs every couple of weeks or so, which gradually weakens the axolotl, impacting their health and also the quality of her eggs. Some breeders suggest they are only allowed together in a tank once or twice a year so the female has a good chance to keep at peak health.
A workaround some owners use is to place a mesh divider in the tank. The mesh has to be fine enough so that none of the male axolotl sperm can pass through. Unless the tank is ample this isn’t such a good solution, as it effectively halves the size of the tank for each axolotl. Each axolotl would need a bare minimum of about 75cm in length, so the tank should be at least 1.5m long before considering a divider. Otherwise separate tanks is the best solution.
Identifying Male And Female Axolotls
There are distinct differences between a male and female axolotl. The female has a rounded body shape, almost pear-shaped. You can notice this looking at the side of the axolotl or down from the top. The female can become even plumper if she is full of eggs ready to put down.
The male axolotl is a lot leaner. Even if the male enjoys his food he doesn’t get that female pear-shape look. The male cloaca found behind the rear legs is pronounced and bulges out. This is very distinct from the female axolotl whose cloaca is quite flat.
It is not always possible to tell the gender of an axolotl or be certain until it is anywhere between 6 months and 1.5 yrs old. The sexual maturity of an axolotl depends on varying factors such as health, stress levels, water conditions, and food intake. So there is no definite age to be sure, which is why there is an age range to work by.
So if you are buying more than one axolotl from a young age it would be a certain amount of guesswork as to what their true gender is. If they are over 6 months old it’s always best to keep separate until you know for sure what you have.
What Happens If Your Axolotls Breed?
When the male and female in the tank breed the female will lay hundreds, maybe a thousand eggs, all over the tank features and plants. If the eggs are left alone it’s more than likely that most will become a food source.
If the eggs are to be kept for breeding they need to be separated from both the axolotls. So either the axolotls are moved to separate tanks, or the eggs are gathered and moved to their own aquarium for rearing.
Is It Normal To Keep More Than One Axolotl In A Tank?
Because we are generally social creatures it’s understandable to assume our axolotl might become lonely if it doesn’t have another axolotl for company. Unfortunately, this isn’t true, Axolotls don’t need company at all, which is quite the opposite.
In some circumstances it does work homing more than one axolotl in a tank but there are a few rules that need to be followed so both are happy and get along with each other, even when you’re not looking.
Sometimes it’s trial and error and getting to know your axolotl, because if it is very dominant or aggressive that can be a recipe for disaster, and probably best to keep this one in its own tank to stop it bullying.
One thing is for sure, never keep axolotls in the same tank if they are not of a similar size, as one might become a meal for the other. Under 6 months old they are definitely cannibalistic and continue to be so, but a regular feeding regime into adulthood kind of trains them not to be, as they become satisfied with the food they know they are getting. Even if they are a similar size it’s important that feeding is appropriate, because if either is hungry you’ll find they’ll try and nibble bits off each other.
If the tank is large enough and they get on, there is no reason why 3 axolotls couldn’t live together. Whether it’s 2 or 3 it’s important to monitor them and check if there are any signs of stress or aggression. If that happens the only solution will be to separate them.
Ideal Tank Size For 2 Axolotls
It’s important that if you have more than one axolotl in a tank they both have enough personal space where they can retreat to if they want times of privacy, or if their tank mate is being annoying. The minimum suggested tank size for a pair is 40 gallons, but 50 gallons or more will give the pair a good space to live in.
Once the tank has features, rocks and plants installed it will give the axolotls plenty of places to explore. The axolotls will like to hide so the tank needs two hides installed, so there is no competition for the same hide. Having said that it’s not unusual for them to go in the same hide if they are getting on well, but always have the second hide available just in case.
It’s also important to have a big enough tank, so that the water parameters are easier to manage. Axolotls can produce a lot of waste and with a larger tank and regular poop removal, there is less chance of any kind of spike in ammonia.
Final Thought
It can be a big responsibility and expense breeding axolotls. So if that’s not for you it’s probably not a good idea to keep a male and female axolotl together in the same tank. If they happen to get on with one another there can only ever be one outcome with this arrangement!