Ambystoma andersoni, also called Salamander Anderson, is a neotonic salamander from the Zacapu Lagoon in the northwestern Mexican state of Michoacán.

Morphology
The Andersoni is about 20/22 cm tall, he is stockier than his cousin the axolotl.
Its body is robust with a short tail, a reduced caudal keel, short, very webbed fingers and toes. Its general coloring is reddish-brown and it is covered with numerous black spots, sometimes interconnected.
Some individuals have transformed in the laboratory, as was the case with Ambystoma Dumerilii and Ambystoma. Taylori, but did not live long. No transformed individuals have been found in nature.

Unlike its cousin the axolotl, they have a membrane between their fingers, creating a much larger web.
In the wild, the Andersoni live in cool, oxygen-rich waters.

Lake Zacapu is located next to the town of the same name. Temperatures range from a minimum of 8 ° C to a maximum of 24 ° C.
The size of the lake is only 39.96 hectares, with a depth not precisely known. The water is opaque and has a gray color. The lake is located at an elevation of 1990 meters above sea level in the Mesa Central, (part of Mexico), in an area where many species of neotonic ambystoma originate. The temperature of the lake is moderate, with a low salt content. It is fed from a single tributary, which flows from Lake Patzcuro to Lake Zacapu.

Natural habitat characteristics:
pH Between 6.8 and 7.5
GH (total hardness) at 5 ° dH
KH (carbonate hardness) at 4 ° dH
Air temperatures: min. 7.6 ° C; max. 24.7 ° C
Water temperature 15.7 ° C - 20 ° C (December - February)
UV index about 7-8
humidity at 69-78%

Socialization with other species, for example the Axolotl is not advised. Indeed a hybridization of the two individuals would tend to lose the specificities of each species. Andersonis are much more active and lead a diurnal life unlike axolotls which are nocturnal. Some might disturb others. This species is also less "aggressive".

The habitat
Like his cousin, he must arrange hiding places and the shade of the plants will be beneficial to him also bringing oxygen as in his natural place of life. The temperature should not exceed 23 ° C, even in summer. Never.

The aquarium
The same dimensions as those recommended for axolotls, ie: for two individuals 100 x 40 x 40/50 minimum, but the ideal remains to plan more given their more important activity. And they are also jumpers like their cousins so you have to either install a protection on the top of the aqaurium, or leave a minimum of 15 cm without water.

Floor
Fine sand or micro balls for obvious reasons, avoid occlusions. And obviously not sharp like quartz which in addition to damaging the stomach and intestines if swallowed, would injure them between the toes (also remember that it contains metals).

Temperature
The water temperature can be between 10 ° and 20 °, but in all cases below 22 ° C, high temperatures make ambystomae prone to fungal diseases (yeast infections) and make them more nervous and stressed. The ideal is between 15 and 18 ° Celsius.

Breeding Andersoni is considered difficult. In nature, courtship displays take place in the spring when there is slight warming.

Food
Feeding can be done at any time, as the Andersoni are diurnal and crepuscular hunters. A varied diet is important to maintain good health. Every 2-3 days is sufficient for adult individuals.
You can feed them with fish flesh, special Andersoni pellets (or axolotls), on the other hand especially not to give earthworms to juveniles because this would increase the risk of metamorphosis according to specialists. We are essentially on the same diet as axolotl.