{"product_id":"white-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum","title":"White Axolotl | Ambystoma mexicanum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA white (leucistic) Axolotl - pale pink-white skin, rosy feathery external gills and that famous permanent smile. This charming, fully aquatic salamander stays in its larval form for life and can become a genuinely long-lived pet, given cool water and a heater-free home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the high-altitude lake system of Xochimilco near Mexico City, where it lives entirely in water and never undergoes full metamorphosis into a land-dwelling adult. Critically endangered in the wild, though thriving in captivity worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA leucistic (white) axolotl has pale pink-white skin, dark eyes, and prominent, feathery external gills in a rosy pink that frame the head like a mane. The wide, upturned mouth gives it its trademark \"smiling\" expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful but predatory towards anything small enough to fit in its mouth, and best kept alone or only with other axolotls of a similar size - they will happily eat tank mates, including smaller or injured axolotls. Not a fish tank companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that does best on a diet of earthworms, bloodworm and soft sinking pellets formulated for axolotls or large carnivorous fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA minimum of 110 litres per axolotl is recommended, with 150-180 litres or more preferred - tank footprint matters more than depth. Keep water cool (never above 20°C) with no heater, use bare-bottom or fine sand substrate to avoid impaction, and maintain low nitrates with regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAxolotls breed via external fertilisation, with females laying up to several hundred eggs after a cooling period triggers spawning behaviour. Breeding at home requires dedicated cool, separate rearing tanks and is best left to experienced keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbystoma mexicanum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite (Leucistic) Axolotl\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Xochimilco, Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 25-30cm (rare individuals to 45cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-15 years, some over 20\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful but predatory; keep alone or with similarly sized axolotls only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres per axolotl\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150-180 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore - earthworms, bloodworm, sinking pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14-20°C, no heater (cool water essential)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies-only aquatic setups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes, with tough species like Anubias and Java Fern - avoid fine substrates that could be ingested\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther axolotls of a similar size only. Not recommended with fish, which can nip at gills or be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny fish (nippy or otherwise), smaller or larger axolotls that create a size mismatch, and warm-water species of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232885522723,"sku":"AA3122-S","price":55.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232885555491,"sku":"AA3122","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232885588259,"sku":"AA3122-L","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351971021091,"sku":"AA3122-XL","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/white-axolotl-ambystoma-mexi-43078576865571-fx.webp?v=1790319673","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/white-axolotl-ambystoma-mexicanum","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}