How to find, tame and breed Minecraft axolotls

Minecraft axolotl and tropical fish
(Image credit: Mojang)

The Minecraft axolotl are colourful amphibians found in Lush Caves. They're quite rare, but once you discover an underground axolotl population, it's relatively easy to capture them. Although there are limits to taming axolotl, it's certainly possible to build trust with them and start a proper axolotl farm.

This guide will show you how to find and breed axolotl in Minecraft - and how to use them in combat.

How to find axolotls in Minecraft

Minecraft axolotl in lush cave

(Image credit: Mojang)

Unfortunately, finding a Minecraft axolotl is easier said than done as they're found in Lush Caves, the cave systems filled with cave vines and Minecraft glow berries. The axolotl is an aquatic cave animal, which means that they only spawn in water, and in total darkness (light level 0). Naturally, there must also be blocks roofing over their habitat. If you want to spawn next to a Lush Cave biome, be sure to use the best Minecraft seeds.

On the plus side, a Minecraft axolotl cave lake doesn’t have to be deep (there must be a solid block no more than five blocks below the axolotl spawn point). You don’t necessarily have to dig deep either, as the axolotl can spawn below y: 63. That means around sea level or lower.

Note that only one to four axolotls will spawn in one group. They come in five different colors, but the blue ones are extremely rare. About 1 in 1200 axolotls are blue, so don’t get your hopes up if that’s your favorite color.

How to capture and tame axolotls in Minecraft

Minecraft axolotl

(Image credit: Mojang)

With such an adorable look, it’s only natural that Minecraft players want to tame their own axolotl pet. Unfortunately, you can’t tame an axolotl to make it follow you around like a cat or a wolf. However, the passive axolotl mobs can be 'tamed' to the point of trusting you - they won't become a loyal pet, but they can be captured and transported, similar to a Minecraft fox or Minecraft Allays. So yes, you can breed axolotl and make your own axolotl zoo in Minecraft!

The easiest way to transport an axolotl is by using a Bucket on them - the same way you can transport Minecraft tadpoles. You can then take the axolotl bucket with you wherever you go. Alternatively, you can lure them with a bucket of tropical fish, or use a lead. Be careful where you drop your axolotl though; they will die after spending more than five minutes out of water. 

How to breed axolotls in Minecraft

Minecraft axolotl in bucket

(Image credit: Mojang)

Minecraft axolotls will enter ‘love mode’ if you give them a Bucket of Tropical Fish (you need the bucket here; just the fish won’t work). Of course, you need two axolotls to make a new one. A baby axolotl takes 20 minutes to become fully grown. 

If you want to spawn an axolotl in creative mode, you can use the summon command, a spawn egg, or an axolotl bucket. 

Axolotl armies in Minecraft

Minecraft 1.17 Axolotl

(Image credit: Mojang)

So, what are these creatures good for, besides being cute? The axolotl can actually be quite useful if you want to go fishing or take on an underwater fight. First, you need to capture at least two axolotl and start breeding them. Once you have a pretty big Minecraft axolotl army, you can put them all in buckets and take the buckets with you (or just lead them with a Bucket of Tropical Fish). If you encounter an underwater enemy, just release the axolotl from their buckets. As long as it’s not a dolphin or a turtle, they will kill anything for you.

If you're searching for underground axolotl habitats anyway, keep an eye out for Minecraft amethyst geodes too.

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Marloes Valentina Stella

I’m a freelance journalist who (surprise!) kind of has a thing for videogames. When I’m not working on guides for GamesRadar, you can probably find me somewhere in Teyvat, Novigrad, or Whiterun. Unless I’m feeling competitive, in which case you should try Erangel. You can also find my words on PCGamesN, Fanbyte, PCGamer, Polygon, Esports Insider, and Game Rant.