{"product_id":"leucistic-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum-freshwater","title":"Leucistic Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)","description":"\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 Leucistic Axolotl (\u003cem\u003eAmbystoma mexicanum\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most charming and beginner-friendly amphibians in the hobby, instantly recognized by its pale pink-to-white body, feathery red external gills, and permanent smile. Leucistic (\"lucy\") axolotls keep their dark eyes, which sets them apart from the pink-eyed albino morph. These fully aquatic salamanders are hardy, long-lived, and full of personality, as long as you give them cool, clean water and a calm tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and aquatic oddities\u003c\/a\u003e, and consider a similarly sized \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/axolotl-wild-type\"\u003eWild Type Axolotl\u003c\/a\u003e if you would like a tank companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\u003cp\u003eAxolotls are easy to keep once their two non-negotiables are met: cool water and pristine water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCool water, no heater.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the tank at 60 to 68°F. Cool water is the single most important factor for axolotl health. Sustained temperatures above 74°F cause stress, loss of appetite, and illness. In warm rooms, a clip-on fan or an aquarium chiller may be needed in summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single adult needs at least a 20 gallon tank, adding roughly 10 gallons per additional axolotl. Choose a long footprint over a tall one, since axolotls walk along the bottom rather than swim in open water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a bare bottom or fine aquarium sand only. Never use gravel or small stones, which axolotls swallow while feeding and which cause life-threatening impaction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGentle filtration.\u003c\/strong\u003e Axolotls dislike strong current. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter keeps the water clean without blasting them around the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality.\u003c\/strong\u003e Aim for pH 7.4 to 7.8 and moderately hard water. Always dechlorinate fresh water before it goes in. Axolotls have permeable skin and are very sensitive to ammonia, chlorine, and nitrite, so a fully cycled tank and regular water changes are essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHides and low light.\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide a cave or shaded area. Axolotls have no eyelids and prefer dim, calm tanks where they can retreat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\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;\"\u003eLeucistic Axolotl, Lucy, 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 to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult 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\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\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 7.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons (single adult)\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\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, predatory toward small tankmates\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;\"\u003eEndemic to Lake Xochimilco, Mexico (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\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\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest kept alone or with other axolotls of a similar size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not house with fish. Fish nip the delicate external gills, and axolotls will try to eat anything that fits in their mouth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep tank mates the same size. Larger axolotls may nip the limbs of smaller ones (limbs regenerate, but the stress is best avoided).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSnails and shrimp will be treated as food, so skip cleanup crews in an axolotl tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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, a soft sinking staple food\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 sinking pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarthworms and frozen bloodworms make excellent supplemental feedings\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 to cycle the tank quickly and safely\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime Complete\u003c\/a\u003e to dechlorinate every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eHikari Bacto-Surge Sponge Filter\u003c\/a\u003e for gentle, axolotl-safe flow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo axolotls need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Axolotls are cool-water animals. Keep them between 60 and 68°F and never let the tank sit above about 72°F for long. In most homes no heater is needed, and a chiller or fan helps during hot months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do axolotls eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are carnivores. Earthworms, axolotl pellets and wafers, and occasional frozen bloodworms are all great. Feed adults every two to three days and juveniles daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep my axolotl with fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is not recommended. Fish nip the gills and axolotls may eat smaller fish. Keep them solo or with same-size axolotls only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat substrate is safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA bare bottom or fine sand only. Gravel and small stones are swallowed during feeding and can cause fatal impaction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48855475650779,"sku":"FW1-F6851","price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/exofcf65c25-1600-4911-90d8-b36b2cc2053e.png?v=1781045883","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/leucistic-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}