How Long Do Axolotls Live? (Axolotls Lifespan)

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how long do axolotls live for

How long do axolotls live? You’ve probably seen that question before, and you might even have an answer to it, but are you sure?

You see, the real answer to this question depends on many different factors, and because of that, I need to dive deeper into the topic before I can give you an accurate answer.

Let’s start with some basic axolotl info first – here’s everything you need to know about how long do axolotls live!

5 Factors That Affect Axolotl Lifespan

With proper maintenance, you can sustain an axolotl’s healthy life. These factors are a must-read if you are planning to have one or are just curious about them like me. Keep on scrolling to know what factors directly affect an axolotl’s life.

#1- Tank Mates

Axolotls love their solitude, so if you plan to get them some tank mates, don’t. You cannot be sure about how long can an axolotl live with a mate as the chances are that it will eat them right away. The only tank mates that may survive with them can be other axolotls, Ramshorn snails, or guppies.

Make sure your tank is super spacious before adding tank mates; otherwise, it may stress your axolotl. They don’t like sharing their space. It can affect their lifespan badly too.

#2- Axolotl Food

Axolotls can literally eat anything you feed them, from tank mates to commercial soft pellets to live food. They are carnivorous, which means you can’t feed them vegetables. They only need protein-rich food for a healthy life.

The live food you may feed them can consist of worms, brine shrimps, or other small fish. When you add live food to their tanks, keep in mind that axolotls have sensitive skin the worms/small fish/insects may bite. It means live food can affect their lifespan, and it is better if you stick to commercial food.

Suggested read: How long do snails live?

#3- Water Quality

If you know how long can an axolotl live, you would also know how water quality affects its life. You cannot compromise on the water quality of your tank as your axolotl won’t be able to handle it. They live in brackish waters when in the wild; they are quite difficult and expensive to maintain.

You have to be careful about the water temperature as it should never exceed 24° centigrade. Frequently change the tank water, don’t use tap water, good quality filters, and de-chlorinators. Chlorine can kill your axolotl, so be extra cautious about it.

#4- Poor Care

Axolotls are endangered species; search how long do axolotls live as pets. You will get to know that because of poor care, axolotls hardly even reach the age of 10. Caring for an axolotl is not an easy task, but it is not a big task once you get a hold of it.

They are fascinating creatures to pet and more challenging to keep. I would suggest you should not get yourself an axolotl if you are not willing to take care of it like a baby. Pet it with care and devotion if you want it to live longer.

#5- Pollution

According to a report I saw, the world has witnessed a sharp decline in the axolotls’ population due to global warming and pollution.

They were thousands a few years back, but now only a few hundred of them are left. Axolotls have highly permeable skin that reacts extremely when exposed to polluted environments.

It saddens me and makes me question how long axolotls can live when there is pollution everywhere. They are badly affected by pollution. They are decreasing in number, and their lifespan is getting lesser day by day too.

#6- Tank Setup and Environment

If you wonder how long axolotls can survive out of the water, the answer is hardly an hour. They live all of their lives underwater, so a good quality tank is necessary.

When setting up your axolotl’s tank, don’t forget that their natural habitats are brackish waters, making them hard to keep.

Set up a tank your axolotl would love to live in; if you have an adult axolotl, a tank of at least 20 gallons would be required. If it is small, a 10-gallon tank would be acceptable too.

Avoid delicate plants or any other things while creating a brackish water environment for your axolotl as they are messy creatures who love to destroy stuff.

How Long Do Pet Axolotls Live In The Wild?

I was curious to know how long do axolotls live in the wild or how long do axolotls live as pets in the wild. I often thought that maybe captivating an axolotl is cruel, and all pet axolotls should be set free in their natural environments. I was surprised to know axolotls cannot live a long life in the wild.

image of an Axolotl

When they are in the wild, they can hardly reach the age of 10. It is because they face many dangers out there as their predators can hunt them. Not only axolotls, but it is also the same case with almost every other creature in the wild.

In the wild, there are many threats of getting preyed on; that is how the rule of the wild works. Axolotls can never reach their full age in the wild as they will be either hunted by other animals or fished by fishers.

How Long Do Axolotls Live As A Pet?

As my interest in axolotls piqued, I got to know axolotls don’t live a long life in the wild. If they are properly cared for, axolotls can even reach the age of 20 as pets. Which is double their lifespan; they get to live in the wild. Not everyone can take good care of them.

People buy axolotls thinking they would be a great pet for their children. But they forget that axolotls are very delicate, and taking care of their pet axolotls is a tedious task. You have to be a responsible owner when you get a pet axolotl.

Axolotls’ Native Land

You may have heard people calling axolotls ‘The Mexican Walking Fish. It is because they are natives of Mexico only.

They live in Xochimilco, a lake in the valley of Mexico. You can also find axolotls in other lakes and waterways of Mexico, and they are not found in any other part of the world.

Maxican Lake The Xochimilco

It is one of the main reasons why axolotls come under endangered species. They are only native to Mexico, so they hardly survive in other places and climates.

Also, eating axolotls is a Mexican delicacy, which means they are fished a lot. If you get a chance to visit Lake Xochimilco, I hope you get to see them in their natural environment.

Extend Your Axolotls Lifespan With Proper Care

Axolotls are very delicate and fragile amphibians who can only live their lives to the fullest if properly pampered.

If you want to increase your axolotl’s lifespan, here are a few things you should always take care of. Maybe by doing so, you will be able to make your little walking fish live longer.

how long can axolotls live

Never introduce tank mates to them as they are not that social. Avoid touching your axolotl unnecessarily as their slimy skin is very prone to infections. Their skin is so delicate that it easily gets injured; saltwater can treat their skin in such cases.

Always make sure they have ample empty space in their tanks to swim, and the water is always clean. Take good care of their diet. You can never know when your pet can die, but proper care can always prolong its life.

Are Axolotls Immortal?

Axolotls cannot live forever; they are mortals, just like all of the other living creatures of this world. Because of the fact that they can regenerate body parts, people assume that they can live forever. They only live till their respective lifespans.

If you are questioning yourself, how long can an axolotl live thinking that they are immortal, don’t think that? Although there are some immortal creatures on earth like hydras, axolotls are mortals and will eventually die at a point.

Can Axolotls Regenerate Body Parts?

Axolotls can miraculously regenerate their limbs and their internal organs. Because of this fact, they are valued by scientists and biologists too. Axolotls have a remarkable capacity for regeneration, which is why they are studied in labs a lot.

Image Credits: Julia Moore

The fact that they are endangered also worries the scientists a lot as they think that there is so much they have to learn from axolotl’s genome. They are naturally gifted with unique regeneration genes that are not easily found in other species.

What Causes Axolotls Death?

Many reasons cause axolotls’ death. Most of the axolotls die because of their tank’s poor water quality. Poor water stresses them and can cause many deadly diseases to them.

The water temperature matters a lot, too; they cannot stand high temperatures. Ensuring that the water is pure is very important. If chlorine or ammonia are found in your water, they can kill your poor axolotl.

They also die from overfeeding, polluted environments, and unfriendly tank mates. In short, improper care causes them to die.

Why Do Baby Axolotls Die?

You would have understood how frail and delicate axolotls are by reading it. Baby axolotls are far more fragile and difficult to handle than grownups. They die easily, so you have to be extra careful if you are handling a premature or baby walking fish.

They can die suddenly because of ammonia or chlorine poisoning in a minute. Infections and diseases are also more prevalent in them.

Related guide: How to manage your axolotls? (habitat and diet)

The Conclusion:

Now you have a lot of knowledge about axolotls, how long do they live, how long do axolotls live in captivity and their eating habits.

Axolotls are great interactive pets who will always greet you with a smile. They are famous because of their smiling face and appearance, making them look like walking fish.

I really enjoyed knowing so much about these cute amphibians. I hope you found them interesting too. It is sad to know that they are categorized as critically endangered species.

It is a good idea to have them as your pets as they can live long with you. But don’t get yourself a pet axolotl if you are a careless person as they demand a lot of devotion.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1 – How old is the oldest axolotl?

Axolotls are such unique creatures that the age of the oldest axolotl is unknown. It is said that they can reach the age of 15-20, but no one certainly knows the age of the oldest axolotl on earth. It was never reported.

#2 – Are axolotls hard to keep alive?

Yes, axolotls are very hard to keep alive, and not everyone can handle them as pets. They are very high-maintenance pets.

#3 – Do axolotls need a friend?

No, axolotls don’t need a friend. Axolotls are anti-social and are better when left alone. They don’t prefer having tank mates, so you don’t need to spend extra money buying tank mates for them; they love their solitude.

#4 – Are Blue axolotls real?

No, blue axolotls don’t exist in real life. They are either black or dark gray in color, and certain lights make them appear as blue. They are actually Black Melanoid Axolotls, and people assume they are blue in color.

#5 – Can axolotls come back to life?

No axolotls cannot come back to life; they are mortal creatures. However, they can regenerate many of their physical features and internal organs when they get hurt or lose one. But once they are dead, they are dead, and there is no turning back.

#6 – How long do axolotls live out of water?

Axolotls are amphibians, but they cannot live out of the water at all. Even if they are moist, they cannot live on land and will die in just a few minutes. So it is better to let them live inside the water where they spend all of their lives.

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  • Since 2009 I've been writing on different media portals about fishing. Here on this website, it's time to share those experiences I've witnessed in my entire life so far. Let me help you get the best stuff you need while fishing.

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