{"product_id":"copper-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum-freshwater","title":"Copper Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCopper Axolotl\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAmbystoma mexicanum\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/leucistic-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum-freshwater\"\u003eLeucistic\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/axolotl-wild-type\"\u003eWild Type\u003c\/a\u003e axolotls to pick your favorite morph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 20 gallon long is the comfortable minimum for one adult. Floor space matters more than height for these bottom walkers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/drtims-one-and-only-axolotl-2oz-live-nitrifying-bacteria\"\u003eDrTim's One \u0026amp; Only Axolotl bacteria\u003c\/a\u003e and buffer with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-axolotl-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Axolotl Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. Earthworms are the gold standard for adults, backed up by sinking staples like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sera-axolotl-wafers-40g-soft-sinking-staple-food\"\u003eSera Axolotl Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-axolotl-aquatic-newt-food\"\u003eZooMed Axolotl Food\u003c\/a\u003e, plus frozen bloodworms for younger animals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecor:\u003c\/strong\u003e low light, a cave or two to hide in, and smooth decorations. Live low-light plants like anubias work great.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmbystoma mexicanum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCopper Axolotl, Mexican Walking Fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner, with a cool-water setup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, best kept without fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e9 to 12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 to 15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallon long\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e60 to 68°F, no heater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.4 to 7.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred; species native to Lake Xochimilco, Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAxolotls 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sera-axolotl-wafers-40g-soft-sinking-staple-food\"\u003eSera Axolotl Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e soft sinking staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-axolotl-aquatic-newt-food\"\u003eZooMed Axolotl \u0026amp; Aquatic Newt Food\u003c\/a\u003e high-protein pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-axolotl-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Axolotl Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e for the 7.4 to 7.6 pH sweet spot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-axolotl-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Axolotl Conditioner\u003c\/a\u003e for slime coat friendly dechlorination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/drtims-one-and-only-axolotl-2oz-live-nitrifying-bacteria\"\u003eDrTim's One \u0026amp; Only Axolotl\u003c\/a\u003e live nitrifying bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it on gravel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Axolotls vacuum food off the bottom and swallow gravel with it, which can cause fatal impaction. Use fine sand or a bare bottom tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it live with my fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes the Copper morph special?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCopper 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48960782860507,"sku":"FW1-F9600","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/copperexo.png?v=1783590727","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/copper-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}