Can axolotls live with fish? (Axolotls tank mates guide 2024)

Just like you, I am standing in front of my aquarium wondering if my axolotls can live with other fishes or in isolation…

After much research, the answer is Yes but I will prefer NOT to.

Axolotls certainly can live with fishes or other freshwater creatures. BUT either one will suffer or die eventually. So it is definitely in your pet axolotl’s best interest to be kept isolated from the other sea creatures or fishes. They do very well in solitary so there is no need to get them any company especially if you want them to live a long and healthy life.

Let us see in detail why.

Firstly, smaller sea creatures or feeder fishes tend to become your axolotl’s delicious dinner. Or, as feeder fishes like goldfish or guppies get bigger, they may nip away your axolotls’ gills too. And in worse cases, cause your axolotl to get choked on them as they try to devour those fishes.

Axolotl impaction likely caused by swallowing something large – image from caudata.org

This is even more apparent for the bigger fishes, except that the threat is even bigger. These large fishes can potentially gobble up your axolotl. Or they may chew away your axolotl gills or fins.

So if you don’t want your axolotl to lose their gills or their heads, it is not advisable to put them with anything larger than them.

On a side note, if you happen to have your axolotls’ gills chewed away, don’t panic. Their gills do regenerate over time but they may never look the same as before. To find out more about axolotls regeneration ability, check out our blog here.

Now, if you still insist to know what other sea creatures that can be tank buddies with your lovely axolotl. We have a few options here. But know that they may not last long.

So lets us explore some suitable creatures that are safe for your axolotl to share common space.

Top 5 tank mates that are safe for your axolotl

– No guarantee if they may or may not get eaten

After hours and hours of research. I have found that the following 3 sea creatures are the best fit to share a tank with the axolotl. However, there is no guarantee if they will be eaten.

#5 Mini snails

Baby cold water snail zoomed in – image from aquariadise.com

Small coldwater snails such as bladder snails, ramshorn snails or apple snails are small and have a somewhat softer exoskeleton. They are not something I will recommending sharing tank with. But there are quite a few owners out there who share their tank between baby snails and axolotl with no problems.

Some owners prefer snails because they are bottom feeders. They help to get rid of leftovers left behind by axolotl that causes bad bacteria growth if left unattended. This allows ammonia to be kept in check.

That said, it is still important to clean your tank every now and then. See our definitive axolotl tank setup guide here for more info.

Snails are also small in size and tend to be somewhat safer for axolotls to swallow. However, for apple snails, they may start growing in size. As they get bigger, remove them from the tank or they may cause choking.

The downside to mini snails:

Snail’s shell or exoskeleton can sometimes be a danger to axolotls as well. Especially if their shells break it might cut the linings of your axolotl’s stomach. So only put them in at your own risk or only use those with a soft exoskeleton.
Once they start growing in your tank, it is very difficult to get rid.
They might come with diseases in the wild. Please bear in mind to quarantine any fishes or sea creatures at least 30 days separately before putting them together with your axolotl to prevent spreading of diseases from your feeder fishes.

Before you decide on snails, let’s look at our next option

#4 Guppies

Cute small guppies

Guppies are small bottom feeders that could share a tank with the axolotl. They are generally small and does not have a hard exoskeleton thus they can be swallowed without any problems. Keeping some of them in your tank will help you finish up whatever leftover food your axolotls leave behind.

However, I still do not recommend sharing the tank with guppies. If you want you can keep them separate and only throw in your guppies once a while for your axolotl as a snack.

Here are some downside to guppies:

They reproduce and increase in number fast. Having a large group of them might stress your axolotl
There are cases where guppies nibble away at axolotls fern like gills
Juvenile axolotl that is smaller in size might cause impaction when devouring guppies.
They often carry diseases or parasites when purchasing from shops. It is important to quarantine them before putting into your axolotl tank

If you are planning on getting guppies, you can find a variety of guppy sellers here.

#3 Minnows

White cloud mountain minnows – image from thesprucepets.com

In the number 3 spot is the white cloud mountain minnow. They are the only fishes I feel are truly acceptable for axolotls. They small in size and are generally a peaceful bunch that lives in colder temperatures. They also do not have any sharp spines or exoskeleton. So keeping them together can be quite suitable.

However, I cannot guarantee that your axolotls will not have these beautiful minnows as their supper. So do it at your own risk.

If you still insist on getting minnows, you can find beautiful Rosie red minnows here.

#2 Small shrimps

Ghost shrimp zoomed in

Caridina multidentata aka Amano shrimp or the ghost/glass shrimp are small little shrimps that are considered as bottom “feeders”. They are great at scavenging for leftovers at the bottom of the tank hence make a great effective natural aquarium cleaner.

The Amano or ghost shrimps are also inexpensive so can be made as pets too.

They can be a great snack to the axolotl. Hence, you might find that sometimes they do get eaten by the axolotl when it is very hungry.

But often they help to eat leftovers food that the axolotl leaves behind to prevent them from turning bad. And with their minuscule size, getting eaten by the axolotl in the worse case scenario will not cause choking too.

Based on the researched I have done on multiple forums. Most people prefer mini shrimps compared to snails as snails have an exoskeleton that may break and cut your axolotl on their insides.

Such shrimps, however, can be quite difficult to cultivate and hence won’t be a good staple but rather more like a snack.

Similarly, before adding anything foreign or new, keep them separated for at least 30 days to avoid spreading of diseases.

Can you see how small shrimps are great for axolotls? You can check out our gourmet guide on suitable food for axolotl here.

If you are planning on cultivating your own mini shrimps, you can get cheap Amano shrimps here and tropical Ghost shrimps here.

And moving on to the number 1 spot:

#1 companion for axolotl is axolotl themselves

Wild type axolotl

Your safest bet for a companion is another axolotl. Especially if it’s a male and female *wink, who knows, you might get a few more baby axolotls in your tank.

But it is very important to note that the bigger axolotl of the 2 may nip at the smaller one. Call it bullying or alpha male syndrome, it does happen to juvenile axolotls.

Nipping also usually reduces when they reach adulthood but can be frequent when they are still young. So if you want to pair them up, pair only the adults together. Space is also a crucial factor for them.

To reduce the chances of that happening. Sometimes getting 2 axolotls of the same age or different sex could help. Getting axolotl of the same size does help too. Alternatively, you can create several hiding spots for your axolotls to hide within when they are feeling stress.

Though these methods above don’t promise you a 100% nip free environment, some of these will take the edge off your axolotls.

What is the bottom-line?

Sharing tanks always carry risk. Risk of bites, infection and many others. Especially stress which is a slow killer for the axolotl. So it is best to keep them separated.

Hence to ensure the survival and care of your axolotl. Other than isolating them, we have other important tips to create a livable aquatic environment that reduces their stress and increase their chances of survival.

Top 3 common you think are safe tank buddies but they are NOT

I have come across many tank owners who seem insistent in sharing their axolotl tank with another fish. Most of them will think that small fishes are acceptable. But small does not mean it is safe. Some even mix them with bigger fishes which is definitely a hazard. So here are the top 3 common fishes that you might think is safe but it is not.

#1 Goldfish

What harm can a goldfish do to a carnivorous salamander right

Now look at this:

Axolotl choking – Image from caudata.org

Do you still think it is safe to add goldfishes into your axolotl tank?

Risk of goldfish

Goldfish may be small at first but can get as big as 11 inches to 12 inches. They may cause serious implications if axolotls attempt to devour them.
Goldfish are omnivorous too. And with their increasing size, they eat about anything.
They will start nibbling off your axolotls’ gills and fins too.
Goldfish also produces a lot of waste which can affect water chemistry levels in the long run.

#2 Cory catfish

As small as it may seem, cory catfish are really dangerous. This is also another common species where owners tend to feel safe mixing with axolotls but it is totally a mistake.

Risk of cory catfish

Catfish species are known to have defensive spines on their pectoral and dorsal fins which can potentially puncture your axolotl mouth or insides
There is no poison in cory but puncture wounds can lead to death or infection when left unattended to.

#3 Otocinclus catfish

The Otos is also another species of catfish like the cory. It is smaller than the cory but is even more dangerous.

Risk of Otos catfish

Similarly, they have spikes on their spines that can injure your axolotls
The worst part is they are smaller so are often misled to think that they are an “easier” target to devour.

After seeing all these examples, do you still think smaller is safe? I don’t think so.

If you really want to put them with fishes, the main rules are to avoid any fishes that have sharp spines or species with an exoskeleton. So that if your axolotl is really getting hungry and happen to devour them at least your axolotl will be safe.

With that in mind, let us know what you think. What fishes will you mix with axolotls? Or will you heed my advice to LEAVE them alone? Let us know in the comments section.

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