Do Axolotls Get Lonely? Should You Keep Them Alone?

Summary: Axolotls don’t mind being alone in a tank because they don’t get lonely. This is actually a good idea. Because of their natural tendency to dwell alone, Axolotl salamanders are known as “solitary” salamanders. They only get together under certain circumstances, such as during the breeding season.

What is your axolotl thinking and feeling if you’re keeping them alone in the tank? Are they depressed because they don’t get to connect with other animals? Do Axolotols Get Lonely? This article comes with all these answers!

Do Axolotls Get Lonely in The Tank?

Without another Axolotl or any other fish, an Axolotl can thrive in a tank on its own. As a matter of fact, this is the norm because of their solitary temperament and propensity for living alone. Of course, there may be exceptions for mating and rearing a family, but most solitary creatures’ lives are spent alone.

Although they may be kept in research laboratories worldwide, where they are studied for their ability to regenerate and evolve, they are most commonly kept alone. They will continue to do so even after returning to their natural home in Mexico City’s lakes.

So axolotls don’t become lonely, even if they’re left in the tank by themselves for long periods. Likewise, the axolotls won’t grow lonely as long as you offer them adequate attention and attention daily. On the other hand, if they’re not left alone in the tank, axolotls can become hostile toward other male axolotls and smaller fish or animals in the tank.

Because of this, you don’t have to worry about leaving them alone. In fact, many axolotl owners have done so, and their reptiles have lived happily ever after. They love it when you play with them, and they can’t wait to be fed.

Know More About Axolotls:

Can You Keep Axolotls With Fish?

If you’re attempting to house axolotls or other aquatic creatures together, you’re more likely to meet problems because of the following reasons:

Different Water Temperature Requirements

Each organism has a unique set of needs and preferences as a starting point. For example, axolotls are amphibians, and they like water temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (15°C – 18°C).

Fish, like axolotls, need to be kept in temperatures comparable to those in their natural habitats. On the other hand, the all popular tropical aquarium fish necessitate temperatures in the 75-80°F range (23°C – 26°C).

And while some species, like Goldfish, may do better in water suitable for an axolotl, there are other reasons why they should not be housed in the same tank.

Food Problem

Keeping axolotls alongside small fish will lead to fish demise. Fish can be eaten by axolotls, especially smaller ones. In some cases, owners even supplement the axolotl’s diet with smaller fish.

It could even go the other way if you keep them with large fish! Your axolotls have to contend with other tank occupants for space and resources (including oxygen) in the tank. As a result, they are more likely to become stressed, negatively affecting their health and lifespan.

Possibility Of Spreading Disease

Fish can transmit bacteria or even disease into an axolotl aquarium. For example, axolotls can be infected by parasites and other viruses found in fish. So there’s the risk of water contamination due to the presence of different species in the same tank.

So, basically, it’s a complicated task to successfully keep various creatures together. To get the best results, you must put in a lot of time and effort. It’s simply not an option for the vast majority of owners. This means that axolotls are better kept alone.

Can You Keep Two Axolotls Together?

As we’ve already mentioned, they’re naturally solitary creatures. So many factors will determine whether or not you can successfully maintain two axolotls together.

Axolotls can be kept in pairs, but only if they are adults, well-cared for, large enough, and of the appropriate gender mix. They are all of these things. Otherwise, it’s best to leave them to their own devices.

If the axolotls are less than 10 cm (4 inches), keep them apart as much as possible to prevent them from biting each other. However, it’s best to avoid pairing two aggressive males because this might lead to continual conflicts over supremacy, which could harm one or both of them.

Take a closer look at why these criteria are vital:

Age

At different ages, Axolotls are reported to be more cannibalistic (willing to devour each other). During the Juvenile stage, when they are at least 2 inches long, they are more prone to seek to consume one another.

This stabilizes during the adult phase (and when they reach 5 inches or more in length), but introducing two adults (who have lived separately and maybe independently up to this point) is unlikely to be advantageous for either.

There are reportedly other techniques to prevent cannibalism, such as introducing specific foods, but these require the axolotl owner’s utmost monitoring.

Size

Though their age plays a role in this, size is also vital. Axolotls should be of a suitable size to be housed together. They should be at least 5 inches long, as stated above.

The axolotls must also be about the same size. Aggression or territorial behavior may arise if the distance between the two is too significant.

Gender

The gender of the axolotls housed separately is also an essential distinction. Keeping a male and a female together, for instance, would likely result in the male attempting to breed with the female. Perhaps successfully. Maybe not.

However, a male’s insistence has been shown to diminish the longevity of females. Therefore, if you wish to house axolotls together, it is best to determine their genders beforehand.

Men of the same size should be grouped together. Usually, they avoid conflict unless someone is particularly hostile!

If you wish to house multiple axolotls together, obtaining a tank of adequate size (at least 20 gallons) and providing the extra room is an important must.

Do Axolotls Have Emotions?

Axolotls’ emotions are currently unknown to science. There is little evidence that axolotls are capable of feeling emotions. Because they lack the most advanced senses in the world, they won’t be able to recognize you at all. Even so, they don’t seem to mind your presence.

Axolotls don’t have the best vision, and all the evidence points to their intelligence are lacking. The axolotl can’t be taught any tricks, so don’t expect it to do that. However, this does not imply that they are entirely unaffected by emotions.

Basically, it depends on defining and interpreting the term “emotion.”

There are various levels of emotion to consider in this situation:

Basic emotions: Facial expression, fear, and interest in food.

Complex emotions: – Recognizing faces and sounds.

Conflicting emotion: When two feelings, such as horror and interest, collide.

There are suggestions that axolotls are capable of showing basic emotions.

For example, they are apprehensive and react to movement outside of the tank. The first thing axolotls do when feeding time investigate the hand that’s feeding them, which is a sign of intelligence. This appears to be a case of simple emotions at work.

It’s possible to argue that it falls under the “complex” category, but this is subject to disagreement. For example, do axolotls know who they are supposed to be with? Or merely responding to external changes?

This is a topic that hasn’t seen a lot of investigation.

Because amphibians, including axolotls, have been shown to feel pain, we can infer that they are aware of what is happening to them. So, for example, if the water parameters aren’t just ideal, they’ll feel the effects of that stress.

But definitely, axolotls don’t have the same range of emotions as humans. Also, unlike other animals, axolotls don’t seem to have much emotional intelligence.

Do Axolotls Feel Fear?

Most axolotls are not afraid of anything, but some are more fearful than others. However, axolotls’ emotions and feelings are mainly unknown. Initially, they may be more cautious or afraid of you, but this usually passes within a few weeks.

If you bring a new axolotl at home, you may notice that your axolotl is afraid and unsure, and these sentiments may last for a few weeks. And the animal will soon adapt to its new surroundings and stop being apprehensive.

On the other hand, excessive stress may increase their level of fear and anxiety.

How To Keep Your Axolotl Happy?

Axolotls, like any animals, require constant care to ensure their well-being. However, a widespread misunderstanding is that axolotls become depressed or frustrated when left alone. This is not the case; in certain circumstances, keeping them alone in the tank is preferable because it can help avoid stress and violence from other animals.

Axolotls must also be adequately fed, which brings us to our second point. This includes providing them with high-quality meals and a wide variety of cuisines. Don’t rely solely on pellets or live fish, for example. Instead, give them some frozen food as a treat from time to time. You can also feed them bloodworms from time to time.

Maintaining good water quality and parameters is also critical. For example, axolotls demand lower temperatures than many other species. However, many potential owners are unaware of this fact. And Axolotls have been kept in aquariums with far too high temperatures in several cases. Sometimes an aquarium chiller may be required for axolotls.

Last but not least, avoid holding your axolotls in your palms. If you hold axolotls in your hands regularly, this might cause stress and make them unhappy, as well as infections or even death.

Wrapping Up

Axolotls do not suffer from loneliness, primarily if they are housed alone. They will often be happy to interact with you, and you don’t need a tankmate simply for that. However, two axolotls can coexist peacefully if provided with an adequate living area.

It is possible to keep them in pairs, but this is not something that should be rushed into making. Instead, it must be carefully considered, thought out, and put into action. Finally, whether or not everything works out depends on various circumstances.

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