- Sku: FW1-F9600
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Copper Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
The Copper Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is one of the most sought-after axolotl morphs, wearing a warm penny-toned body dusted with darker copper freckles and topped with feathery external gills. Like all axolotls it is a fully aquatic salamander that never leaves the water, stays active on the bottom of the tank, and quickly learns to recognize the person who feeds it. Calm, hardy in the right setup, and beginner friendly once the tank is dialed in. Browse our other Leucistic and Wild Type axolotls to pick your favorite morph.
Care Guide
- Tank size: a 20 gallon long is the comfortable minimum for one adult. Floor space matters more than height for these bottom walkers.
- Temperature: the big one. Axolotls are cool-water animals, happiest at 60 to 68°F and stressed above about 72°F. Skip the heater entirely and consider a clip-on fan or chiller for warm Georgia summers.
- Water: pH 7.4 to 7.6 in moderately hard water, gentle filtration with low flow, and a fully cycled tank. Axolotls are sensitive to ammonia, so seed the cycle with DrTim's One & Only Axolotl bacteria and buffer with Seachem Axolotl Buffer.
- Substrate: bare bottom or fine sand only. Gravel is a serious impaction risk because axolotls gulp their food, and whatever is next to it, right off the floor.
- Feeding: carnivore. Earthworms are the gold standard for adults, backed up by sinking staples like Sera Axolotl Wafers or ZooMed Axolotl Food, plus frozen bloodworms for younger animals.
- Decor: low light, a cave or two to hide in, and smooth decorations. Live low-light plants like anubias work great.
Specifications
| Scientific name | Ambystoma mexicanum |
| Common names | Copper Axolotl, Mexican Walking Fish |
| Care level | Beginner, with a cool-water setup |
| Temperament | Peaceful, best kept without fish |
| Max size | 9 to 12 inches |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years with good care |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallon long |
| Temperature | 60 to 68°F, no heater |
| pH | 7.4 to 7.6 |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Origin | Captive bred; species native to Lake Xochimilco, Mexico |
| Pickup | In-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics |
Compatibility
Axolotls do best in a species-only tank. Fish nip at those beautiful gills, and anything small enough to fit in an axolotl's mouth will eventually end up there. Two axolotls of similar size can share a roomy tank, though juveniles are nippy with each other, so keep spares of similar size and plenty of floor space. Skip snails, shrimp, and fish entirely and let this animal be the star of its own show.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- Sera Axolotl Wafers soft sinking staple
- ZooMed Axolotl & Aquatic Newt Food high-protein pellets
- Seachem Axolotl Buffer for the 7.4 to 7.6 pH sweet spot
- Seachem Axolotl Conditioner for slime coat friendly dechlorination
- DrTim's One & Only Axolotl live nitrifying bacteria
FAQ
Do I need a heater?
No, and please do not use one. Axolotls want cool water in the 60s. In a warm room, a small clip-on fan across the surface or an aquarium chiller keeps them comfortable through summer.
Can I keep it on gravel?
No. Axolotls vacuum food off the bottom and swallow gravel with it, which can cause fatal impaction. Use fine sand or a bare bottom tank.
Can it live with my fish?
Not recommended. Fish nibble axolotl gills, and the axolotl will happily eat any fish that fits in its mouth. A species-only tank is the way to go.
What makes the Copper morph special?
Copper is a lighter, caramel-toned morph with visible freckling and reddish-gray gills. The coloration keeps a warm metallic cast as the animal matures, and no two carry quite the same freckle pattern.
Have a question?
Copper Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
