Many new axolotl owners get confused and ask, can axolotls breathe air? At first, it looks like they only use their feathery gills to take oxygen from water, but sometimes you may see them swim up and take a quick gulp of air, which can make people worry about water quality.
I also felt the same concern when I saw my own axolotl doing this, but later I learned it is completely normal. Axolotls actually have both gills and simple lungs, so they can breathe in two ways, making them very adaptable.
This means even if the oxygen level in the water gets low, they can still survive by breathing air. Knowing this helps pet owners feel more relaxed and also reminds us to keep the tank clean and healthy for our little water friends.
How Do Axolotls Breathe
Yes, axolotls can breathe air, but this does not mean they depend on it all the time. Their main way of breathing is through their gills, which take oxygen directly from the water. Still, sometimes you may notice your axolotl rise to the surface and gulp air. I remember when I first saw this, I thought something was wrong with my tank water.
Later I found out it was normal behavior and part of their biology. The problem comes when they do this too often, which usually means low oxygen levels, warm water, or poor water quality. The solution is to test the water, keep it cool, and add aeration if needed. This way, your axolotl will breathe comfortably and stay healthy.
Axolotls are very unique creatures because they can use more than one way to take in oxygen. Unlike many other amphibians, they don’t fully change into land animals, so they keep their gills but also have lungs and even use their skin for breathing.
This makes them very adaptable, and it also confuses new owners who see their axolotl going up for air. To understand them better, let’s look at how each of these breathing methods works.
Breathing with Gills
The main way axolotls breathe is through their external gills, which look like soft feathers on both sides of the head. These gills have fine branches called filaments that pull oxygen from the water and release carbon dioxide. You can often see the gills moving slightly as water flows through them. This is normal breathing behavior.
If the tank water is clean and cool, gills stay fluffy and open, which shows healthy breathing. But if oxygen is low or water quality is poor, the gills may curl forward or look thinner. I remember my axolotl’s gills lost their shape when nitrates were high.
After a water change and fixing the filter, the gills returned to normal. So you can always keep the water safe and oxygen-rich.
Breathing with Lungs
Apart from gills, axolotls also have small lungs, which they use as a backup system. They don’t use lungs all the time, but you may notice them slowly swimming to the surface, opening their mouth, and taking a gulp of air.
This behavior is normal if it happens sometimes. It usually means the axolotl is simply making use of its lungs along with gills. The problem comes when they start doing it again and again within a short time.
That usually means the oxygen in the water is too low, the temperature is high, or there is too much waste in the tank. When my axolotl was gulping air often, I cooled the water and added an air stone, and soon it became calm. Watching their surface trips helps you understand if your tank needs attention.
Breathing through Skin
The third method is skin breathing, also called cutaneous respiration. Axolotls have thin, delicate skin with many blood vessels, which lets them absorb a small amount of oxygen directly from the water.
You will not see this process like gill movement or air gulps, but you can notice the result in their activity. When the water is clean, cool, and fresh, skin breathing supports their health and makes them more active.
But when the water is dirty or full of waste, their skin cannot work properly, and they may look tired or less playful. Once I delayed water changes for two weeks, and my axolotl became slow and dull. After cleaning and refreshing the water, it became lively again. This shows skin breathing is small but important, and owners must support it with good tank care.
how long can axolotls breathe air
Axolotls can hold their breath for about 1–2 minutes when they come up to the surface and take a gulp of air. Some healthy axolotls may stretch it a little longer, but they are not like land animals who can keep breathing air for hours. Their gills and skin do most of the work, and the air-breathing is only a backup system.
If your axolotl is going up too often (every few minutes), it usually means the tank water doesn’t have enough oxygen or the quality is poor. The best fix is to add good filtration, an air stone, and keep the water clean so they don’t have to depend on air for long.
Do Axolotls Need to Breathe Air
In most cases, axolotls do not need to breathe air often because their gills already give them what they need. But sometimes they do rise to the surface, and this is normal. Problems start when you see your axolotl doing it again and again within a short time.
I once noticed mine gasping every few minutes, and after testing the water, I found that the temperature was too high. Warm water holds less oxygen, which made my axolotl depend more on its lungs. The solution was simple: I cooled the water and added an air stone, and my axolotl soon looked relaxed again.
Why Do Axolotls Sometimes Come Up for Air
Axolotls may come up for air for several reasons, and not all of them are bad. One common reason is low oxygen levels in the tank, which can happen if the filter is weak or if the water is too warm. Another reason is simply habit, because even healthy axolotls sometimes gulp air. But if your axolotl does this too often, it could be a sign of stress or poor water quality.
I always suggest checking ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate whenever this behavior becomes frequent. Many owners are surprised to learn that the real issue is poor tank maintenance, which can be fixed with a simple water change.
How to Make Sure Your Axolotl Gets Enough Oxygen
The best way to make sure your axolotl has enough oxygen is to provide a healthy tank environment. Always use a good filter, but make sure the flow is gentle because axolotls do not like strong currents. Adding an air stone or live plants also helps increase oxygen in the water.
Keep the tank cool, ideally between 16–18°C, because cooler water holds more oxygen. I had one summer where my axolotl was breathing more at the surface, and I solved it by floating ice bottles and running an air pump. Regular testing of water and weekly changes are also important steps for long-term care.
Can Axolotls Breathe on Land?
Axolotls cannot live or breathe properly on land. Their body is made to stay underwater, where they use gills and skin to get oxygen. If you take them out of water, they may survive for a short time by gulping air through their lungs, but only for a few minutes. I remember when I first held my axolotl outside the tank for cleaning, it looked stressed and uncomfortable, which showed me they are not land pets like frogs.
Many new owners make this mistake, thinking axolotls can crawl around like salamanders, but in reality, keeping them out of water for long can harm their health and even be fatal. The simple solution is to always handle them gently and only keep them in water, where they are happiest and safe.
Can Axolotls Live Outside Water
Even though axolotls have lungs, they are not designed to live outside water. They are fully aquatic creatures and need water all their lives. Unlike frogs or salamanders that complete metamorphosis, axolotls stay in their juvenile form, keeping their gills and staying underwater.
I once heard about a beginner who thought their axolotl could live on damp land, but the poor animal became stressed very quickly. Their lungs are only a backup and cannot support life outside water.
Always remember, axolotls are different from other amphibians, and taking them out of water for long is very dangerous.
Common Mistakes Owners Make About Axolotl Breathing
One mistake many new owners make is assuming that every surface gulp means sickness. In truth, occasional air breathing is normal. Another mistake is ignoring water quality, which is often the real reason behind frequent gasping. Some also wrongly believe axolotls can survive on land because they have lungs, which can sadly lead to fatal results.
I always tell new keepers to invest in a test kit, watch water temperature, and make sure their tanks have enough oxygen. With the right care, axolotls show calm breathing patterns and rarely display stress.
Conclusion
So, can axolotls breathe air? Yes, they can, but their gills remain their main source of oxygen. Taking air from the surface is normal when done sometimes, but if it happens too often, it usually points to a tank problem that needs fixing.
By keeping the water clean, cool, and well-oxygenated, you can ensure your axolotl lives a long, healthy life. Breathing behavior is a great way for owners to understand what their pet needs. Paying attention to it not only helps your axolotl stay safe but also makes you a more confident and responsible pet owner.
FAQs
Do axolotls breathe air through lungs or gills?
Axolotls use both, but their gills are the main method while lungs act as a backup.
Is it normal for axolotls to go to the surface?
Yes, it is normal if they do it sometimes. Too much gasping may mean stress or poor water.
How long can axolotls stay out of water?
They cannot survive long outside water. They are fully aquatic and must live in water all their lives.
Why is my axolotl gulping air too often?
Frequent gulping often means low oxygen, warm water, or poor water quality. Test your water and improve tank care.
