Can Axolotl’s Live With Fish?

NO!!!!!

Absolutely not, Axolotls are a species only animal, and even then they should only be housed with other axolotls of the same size and sex.

A common misconception is that axolotls are fish, when in fact they are amphibians, Salamanders to be precise. Meaning they have completely different care needs to that of fish, not to mention different dietary requirements because of their inability to digest anything with a hard skeleton or outer shell.

Living Environment.

Axolotls are cold water animals, with optimal water temperatures being between 16-18 degrees Celsius. Many species of fish require their water temperatures to be at the upper end of that range, meaning one or the other animal will be living in the incorrect environment.

Gills

Those big fluffy ears axolotls are known for, are their gills. They are also lovely bright flowing food for fish. Many fish species are known for nipping at gills which is why certain species cannot be housed together and this is no different for axolotls. Your axolotl will suffer nipped gills throughout its lifetime if housed with fish.

Slime Coat

“So, if it's just nipping that’s the issue, why can't we have a pleco or bottom cleaner type fish in with the axolotl?” The short answer is that these fish will latch onto the axolotl's slime coat and seriously injure it. Leaving your axolotl open for infections that can be fatal.

Terrible Housemates.

If there was an award for the worst animals to live with, the axolotl would be right up there. If an aquatic animal fits into its noticeably big mouth, it will be eaten! This is another reason axolotls should be of equivalent size to live together, otherwise, you guessed it, they can, and do eat each other!

Skeletal Systems and disease

Many fish, as well as goldfish contain thiaminase which causes the body to be unable to metabolize thiamine (vitamin b1) and could be deadly to your axolotl if they eat them.

Also, some fish skeletons are surprisingly hard making it impossible for the axolotl to digest, risking impaction and potentially death for both animals.

So why do I see posts claiming it is safe to feed certain fish?

Unlike the UK our friends over the pond in the US do not have a law regarding using feeder fish as live food for other aquatic animals. In the UK the animal welfare act 2006 prohibits deliberate and “unnecessary suffering” to animals. So why are we expected to feed our axolotls worms? Vertebrates can suffer pain whereas invertebrates do not, this is accepted by law. Therefore, it is acceptable to feed live food such as worms and river shrimp. River or glass shrimp are the only “feeder” type “fish” that can be added to your axolotl's aquarium.

So, overall as you can see, not only is keeping fish with axolotls a real grey area when it comes to the law, they also have to potential to cause significant harm and death to your axolotl. Please do not think that your fish will be fine...... they won't.... whether its tomorrow or in 5 years' time, keeping any fish with axolotls will inevitably lead to disaster.