I always found it fascinating that axolotls, often called walking fish, belong to the tiger salamander species yet look so different from other salamanders. These little aquatic creatures spend their days near plants or under rocks at the bottom of the water, showing off their unique flat heads, a wide variation of colors, and rare qualities.
What amazed me most when I first learned about them is how they can regenerate missing parts of their bodies, like the spine or even the brain. With their permeable skin, they can absorb oxygen straight through the skin, which makes them extra special.
If you are curious about their growth span, the different stages of development, their lifespan, or even how to give them proper care as exotic pets, you’ll quickly realize these creatures are far more interesting than most people think.
How Big Do Axolotls Get
When axolotls are fully grown, their average length is about 9 inches, though some may stay as small as 6 inches while others can reach up to 18 inches depending on their environment. This makes their size quite different from other salamanders, as they keep their larval form through a unique ability called Neoteny.
Where they retain the larval stage for their entire lives, using both gills and lungs to survive in water. From my own observation, it becomes easier to identify the males and females once they are grown—the males show a swollen cloaca while females have wider bodies, a width increase that gives space for eggs, sometimes even up to 1000 eggs.
Where Do Axolotls Come From?
When I first learned about the axolotl, I was surprised to know it comes from Mexico’s valley, once living in lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, though now it survives only in the lake Xochimilco region. This rare salamander species has seen a sharp drop in its population, so much that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed it as an endangered species.
Even so, you can still see them in zoos across the United States, where special exhibits display their unique life. Unlike most salamanders, axolotls keep both lungs and gills after maturity, letting them breathe underwater and live their entire lives in it.
People often ask, “Is it a fish or a salamander?” but it’s clearly a salamander with unusual powers, able to regrow limbs or other injured body parts. I remember once standing by a tank, watching closely, and even wondering things like Do Axolotls Have Teeth or how axolotl metamorphosis compares to others—it made me realize how truly special they are.
How Big are Baby Axolotls?
When I first saw baby axolotls, I was amazed that they start life as tiny eggs, and the larvae are barely 0.5 inches long. It’s fascinating how grown females can lay between 100 to 1000 eggs during spawning, each laid individually, and usually hatches in about 14 days.
The axolotl larvae begin eating just a few hours old, and as they pass the third month up until the first year, they are called juveniles. From my own experience, Caring for baby axolotls at these delicate stages requires patience and close attention, because their early growth decides how healthy and strong they’ll be later.
How Long Until an Axolotl is Fully Grown?
Most axolotls reach their full growth size somewhere between the first eighteen to twenty-four months, but it’s a wide range since many factors affect how they grow. The conditions of their habit, how much they eat, and even the size of the tank can shorten or lengthen the growth period.
I’ve seen young juveniles in bigger spaces, and the extra room really helps them get larger. Usually, females take more time to mature compared to males, and though some juveniles can reach sexual maturity in just five to six months, their bodies keep growing until they hit full maturity much later.
how big do axolotls get in the wild
In the wild, axolotls usually grow around 9 to 12 inches, though some rare ones can stretch close to 18 inches if the environment is perfect. But honestly, because their natural home like lake Xochimilco in Mexico has shrunk and water quality isn’t what it used to be, most wild axolotls stay on the smaller side.
I once read about how limited space and less food in the wild actually hinder their growth, while in tanks or bigger spaces they often look a bit larger. So, when you spot an axolotl in the wild, it might not be as big as the ones you see in zoos or aquariums.
Conclusion
Axolotls are truly one-of-a-kind creatures, not just because of their strange look but also for their amazing powers and unusual way of living. From being tiny eggs to growing into adults that can reach impressive sizes, every stage of their life tells a story of survival and uniqueness.
Whether in the wild lakes of Mexico or in tanks and zoos, their growth depends a lot on space, food, and environment. Watching how they breathe through both gills and lungs, or how they can regrow parts of their body, makes you realize they are more than just pets, they are living wonders that deserve care and protection.
FAQs
How big is a full-size axolotl?
A full-size axolotl is pretty impressive—most adult axolotls measure around 7 inches to 9 inches (18 cm to 23 cm) long, though some can be as small as 6 inches or stretch up to 18 inches (15 cm to 45 cm). They are often seen weighing between 5 ounces and 12 ounces (140 grams to 340 grams). What makes them special is that even after reaching sexual maturity at just six months old, they continue to grow for another two years or even three years, which is why their average size can vary so much.
How long do axolotls live for?
The axolotl has a fascinating lifespan that can reach 10 years to 15 years in captivity with proper care, and some rare individuals have even lived close to 20 years. In the wild, their lives are much shorter, usually averaging only about 5 years because of threats like habitat loss, pollution, and predation. From what I’ve seen, important factors such as diet, water quality, genetics, and the overall tank environment play a huge role in their longevity and how well they continue to grow.
How big can axolotls get up to?
Most adult axolotls can grow anywhere from 6 inches to 18 inches (15 cm to 45 cm) in length, though the average falls closer to 9 inches (23 cm). Their weight often ranges between 5 ounces and 12 ounces, but seeing one at the upper limit is quite rare. From what I’ve noticed, their adult size is usually within the 6 to 12-inch range, which makes them look impressive but still easy to keep in a tank compared to larger aquatic pets.
Do axolotls grow to their tank size?
Some people think axolotls will only grow to the size of their tank, like some other animals, but that’s not true. If the tank is too small, it can stunt their growth because of inadequate space, lack of clean water, or not enough sufficient food. From my experience, when kept in a healthy, spacious, and clean tank, they can reach their genetically determined maximum size, usually about 9-12 inches. On the other hand, a poor environment can hinder their development and cause stunted growth, which is something every keeper should avoid.
