How Much Does an Axolotl Cost? 2025 Price Guide

Disclaimer: PangoVet does not endorse or encourage keeping axolotls as pets. This article is for informative purposes only.

Axolotls are known for being adorable with their constant smiles, so it’s no wonder these little guys are commonly wanted as pets. Besides being adorable, they’re also relatively easy to care for, making them even more popular. But how much do axolotls cost to own?

If you’re considering adopting one of these amphibians, you’ll be happy to know these guys are one of the more affordable exotic pets to own. Axolotls themselves are not that expensive to purchase (though the cost does depend on how exotic an axolotl you want), and even the setup and care of these amphibians aren’t overly costly. All in all, you’re looking at about $430 to $580 to get set up with your own axolotl.

Once set up with an axolotl, you’ll also have monthly costs to attend to, so be sure to factor those in when considering adopting one of these as a pet. What does the cost of an axolotl involve? Here’s everything you’ll need and the typical cost for these items.

Bringing Home a New Axolotl: One-Time Costs

Purchasing an axolotl as a pet is relatively inexpensive, especially if you’re getting just a regular one. A typical axolotl will cost anywhere from $40 to $100, depending on the animal’s age, sex, and where you get them from. However, if you’re looking for an axolotl that’s a bit more exotic, you’ll be shelling out more, as more exotic axolotls can range anywhere from $150 to $350. Of course, some axolotls on the far end of the price spectrum are relatively rare specimens, which is why they cost so much. But for just a regular version of this amphibian, the cost is fairly cheap.

Don’t forget to factor in shipping, either! If a breeder doesn’t live near you, they will have to ship your axolotl to you, which could cost $40–$60.

Free

Unless you know someone with axolotls who has bred them, you likely won’t be able to get an axolotl for free (and we don’t recommend trying to find one online via Craigslist or anywhere like that because you have no way of knowing whether the axolotl is healthy!).

Adoption

If you have a specialty pet store near you that deals with exotic pets, you may be able to find a common axolotl there. If so, you should expect to pay between $30 and $80 for your pet. Some exotic pet stores may even have the more exotic axolotls, in which case you’d pay more. The good news is that you shouldn’t have to pay for shipping if you walk into a pet store to get your axolotl!

Breeder

How much you pay for an axolotl from a breeder will depend on the breeder you go through, the axolotl’s age and gender, and how exotic you want your axolotl to be. You can find the less expensive axolotl through breeders, but you may have to pay a bit more than if you went through a pet store. You may also have to pay for shipping if the breeder you choose doesn’t live near you.

When looking for an axolotl breeder, ensure you go with a reputable one with a history of breeding healthy axolotls.

Initial Setup and Supplies

While axolotls may be inexpensive, their setup is pricier (though still not astronomic, especially compared to the costs of owning more traditional pets like cats and dogs). This is because axolotls require several essential items for their care, including a tank, a tank filter, lighting for the tank, substrate, a thermometer for the tank, heating and cooling, a water testing kit, and decorations. Altogether, you’re likely looking at between $400 and $500 to set up a safe, healthy habitat for your axolotl.

List of Axolotl Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does an Axolotl Cost Per Month?

As you can see, there’s a pretty wide range in monthly costs for the axolotl. This is because you won’t be required to spend money on some of the things below each month. Some months you may spend only a few dollars on your pet, while others may spend much more.

Health Care

The good news is that axolotls are pretty healthy little guys, so you’ll probably only need to take them to the vet once a year. However, there are a limited number of exotic pet vets out there, so you may not have one near you, so you’ll be traveling. So, even if a vet visit costs $50, you need to factor in the cost of transportation. And if you want insurance for your pet, there’s only one insurance company that covers exotic pets, which means whatever they quote you for your pet is what you’ll have to pay as no other options are available. That would also add monthly health care costs to the bill.

Food

The main yearly cost when dealing with an axolotl is food. However, axolotls only eat a few times a week, so food costs aren’t much. These amphibians dine on bloodworms, earthworms, and brine shrimp, which are all quite affordable.

Medications and Vet Visits

As previously stated, axolotls are fairly healthy, so they should only need to go to the vet about once a year, which means there isn’t really a monthly cost for medication or vet visits. However, if your axolotl ends up eating something in their tank that they shouldn’t, you’ll have to make an emergency vet visit, which could prove pricy, depending on how badly your axolotl is suffering from what they ate. You can avoid these kinds of health emergencies by ensuring they only have axolotl-friendly decorations and substrate in their tank, though.

Pet Insurance

It’s difficult to say how much pet insurance will cost you monthly as insurance plans are customized to your pet. However, with Nationwide, you shouldn’t be paying more than $40 a month, and their reimbursement rates fall into the 50%–70% range, which isn’t bad.

Environment Maintenance

Upkeep for your axolotl’s tank won’t set you back too much, as some months you may not need to purchase anything at all for the tank. Some months, though, you’ll need items like more de-chlorinator, new decorations, or more substrate. All these items are relatively inexpensive, so monthly tank upkeep won’t break the bank!

Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Axolotl

Axolotls have few monthly costs other than food. Occasionally, you may also need to purchase something for their tank or take them to the vet, but your most significant expense with these little guys will be their food, which is relatively inexpensive. If you get pet insurance for your axolotl, that will be your other major monthly expense, and costs can vary by pet.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There really shouldn’t be any additional costs to factor in when owning an axolotl. At most, you may need to pay a pet sitter to watch over your pet if you go out of town and can’t find a friend to do so. Other than that, the only real surprise expense that could pop up would be if your pet needs to visit the vet unexpectedly or requires medication.

Owning an Axolotl on a Budget

Axolotls are quite affordable as pets, so they’re wonderful for those on a budget. However, when setting up their habitat, you can save even more money by searching for second-hand items like tanks or decorations. Check local yard sales, look on Facebook Marketplace, and so forth. You might be surprised by what aquarium items you can find in these places, and doing so will likely save you a bit!

Saving Money on Axolotl Care

There isn’t much to axolotl care, as the biggest expense is food, and you don’t want to cut corners there. If you’re looking to save on health care for your pet, the best thing to do is properly care for them. This will keep them from having to go to the vet more than once a year, saving you a lot. Insurance for your pet can also help with vet costs if that’s a concern, though you will have to weigh whether the price of a monthly premium saves you money in the long run.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an affordable (and unique) pet, the axolotl may be the perfect animal for you! These adorable amphibians are relatively inexpensive to purchase, set up a habitat for, and care for. Acquiring an axolotl will only cost you around $40 to $100 if you’re getting the most basic axolotl, and setting up a habitat for your pet will only set you back about $400 to $500. After that, though, you should have few monthly expenses, as the most significant expense will be your axolotl’s food. Other than that, you shouldn’t spend much monthly, though you may need to occasionally take your pet to the vet or replace something for their tank.

Featured Image Credit: ArnPas, Shutterstock