The axolotl, a neotenic salamander found only in one lake system in Mexico, is critically endangered in the wild while millions are kept as pets worldwide.
Captive axolotls require specific water temperature (14-18C), excellent filtration, and appropriate substrate to prevent ingestion of gravel. They are sensitive to chlorine and sudden parameter changes. Poor husbandry leads to fungal infections, metabolic bone disease, and intestinal impaction. As solitary animals, they should not be housed with fish that may nip their feathery gills. Wild animals suffer from introduced tilapia and carp competition, untreated wastewater, and diminishing habitat.