Axolotl walking on gravel at bottom of a tank

What Temperature Should An Axolotl Tank Be?

5 min read

Axolotls are sensitive creatures and providing the right living conditions is crucial for their survival. The aquariums they inhabit must accommodate the perfect environment and have proper maintenance. Temperature, light, and size are the main factors to consider when first setting up the tank.

axolotl

The ideal temperature for an axolotl tank should be 16 and 18 degrees Celsius or between 60 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the tank should be placed in a dark and shady corner of the room to help the water stay cool.

Since the tank is kept at home, the temperature in the house may affect the temperature of the water. That is why it is vital to place the aquarium at a shady place without access to direct sunlight. Axolotls prefer cool waters with almost no light or any disturbance from the outside environment.

Remember that the temperature requires constant attention and you have to keep an eye on it at all times! If it gets too warm, this may lead to stress and anxiety for your pet and further, more complicated issues such as health problems and even death in extreme cases can arise.

It is crucial to note that the temperature in the room and the tank must be kept the same as much as possible.

Keeping the right temperature for an axolotl is a precise process that requires constant diligence and attention. The water must not be too warm but not too cold either. The best way to describe it is to keep the water cool. Before getting an axolotl, do your research and consider carefully if you can actually provide the right living conditions.

As already mentioned, the absolute ideal temperature for living and thriving is minimum 16 degrees Celsius and maximum 18 degrees Celsius. However, these unusual creatures are able to survive as low as 10 degrees Celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum of 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Needless to say, these temperatures are far from recommended and should be avoided at all costs, however, your pet is able to survive them in case something happens and they are stuck in these temperatures for a small amount of time.

Achieving the ideal temperature is a challenge. Consider the change of seasons and the availability of heating at your home. Also, bear in mind the amount of sunlight accessing the room.

Do Axolotls Tanks Need A Heater?

No, axolotls’ tanks do not need a heater. The room’s temperature where it is kept is enough to maintain a stable and acceptable environment. More likely your axolotl will need an aquarium chiller or cooler of some type to keep the temperatures low. It is more difficult to keep the water cool rather than warm.

What Happens If The Water Is Not The Right Temperature?

The wrong water temperature can lead to various health issues for the axolotl. If the water is too cool, your pet will start showing symptoms such as sluggishness, fatigue, decreased metabolic rate, less activity, and less eating.

If the water is too warm, the axolotls will show the opposite signs – be too energetic, hyper active and spend lots of energy. Eventually, this will exhaust it and may lead to a fatal end.” In general, it is better to have waters that are too cool than too warm. Effects caused by hot water are nearly impossible to reverse.

How To Keep Your Axolotl’s Aquarium Water Cool?

Keeping the water, the perfect temperature can pose quite a challenge, especially for beginners.” To make the process a bit easier and more understandable, here are a couple of tips!

  • Install an aquarium water chiller. It is the easier and most effective and reliable way to keep the water temperature down.
  • Keep the tank away from sunlight at all times.
  • Keep the aquarium lid open (if there is one) to ensure evaporation and to let heat escape.
  • Keep away from sources of heat such as heaters or air conditioners.
  • Consider placing the aquarium on the floor if possible.

Coming up with creative ways to keep the water temperature levels down is especially crucial in places with naturally warm climate such as the tropics or some Asian and Middle Eastern countries or even parts of the US, such as Miami.

Buy a thermometer or thermostat to have a constant control of the water and room temperature. Control here is crucial! A thermostat is especially handy since you can control the room’s temperature easily.

Get creative

Some hobbyists turn to even more unusual ways of keeping the temperature down such as adding ice or frozen water containers to the tank. Obviously, this is not the most reliable method as it is very difficult to place the right amount of ice and it will not last forever.

“You can also fill in plastic bottles of water with ice up to 80% – 90% of its capacity and place in the aquarium. Do not use glass bottles as they will explode when frozen. If opt for ice, make sure you do not cause too sudden of a change in the water temperature. This can be too stressful for your axolotl.

Provide Plants, Shade, Filter and Proper Size

Aside from the temperature, proper living conditions also influence the water temperature. Place enough plants for additional shade. Floating plants are particularly suitable as they are able to directly block sunlight.

Place the tank in a shady corner away from sources of heat.

Install a filter to provide much needed water cleanliness and help water circulation and aeration.

The proper tank size is also very important for a healthy and happy axolotl. Depending on the size of your pet, the tank should be at least 3 feet in all dimensions so the axolotl can move freely in all directions.

Decorations such as caves, stones, pebbles, PVC pipes, ceramic rocks also provide additional shady spots in the aquarium. These elements also provide hiding places as axolotls need them to feel safe and protected.

Conclusion

Maintaining the right water temperature is crucial for the survival of your axolotl. Here are the most important points to keep in mind and research well, especially if you are a starter.

1. The ideal water temperature for an axolotl is between 16 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius. Lower and hire temperature levels are survivable; however, they may cause health disturbances and lead to death in worst cases.

2. The temperature of the room needs to be considered as it directly affects the water. One of the best solutions is to buy a thermostat and keep control of the room’s temperature at all times.

3. Keeping it perfect for the axolotl requires constant attention and vigilance.

4. Get creative when regulating the water heat levels:

  • Place the tank in a shady spot.
  • Keep away from sunlight.
  • Place the tank on the floor, if possible
  • Install a cooler or chiller.
  • Buy a thermometer or thermostat.
  • Do not place the tank close to heaters to air conditioners.
  • Place water bottles full of ice or tanks full of ice in the aquarium
  • Be extra careful if you are living in an all-year warm climate.
  • Keep the aquarium lid open.
  • DO NOT place a heater.

In case you do not manage to keep the correct temperature for your sensitive friend, symptoms caused by temperature disruptions include loss of energy, loss of appetite, sluggishness or the opposite – too much energy and too much activity that can eventually have a fatal end.

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Pet Aquariums

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