You just built the perfect underwater base. You’ve got dolphins swimming around looking majestic, and you want to add some cute axolotls to complete your aquatic paradise. But wait will these two mobs fight each other? Can they peacefully share the same space?

Do Dolphins Attack Axolotls?

No. Dolphins will not attack axolotls under any circumstances.

Dolphins are friendly mobs that only attack two specific things: guardians and elder guardians. They ignore axolotls completely, swimming right past them without any aggression.

You can keep dolphins and axolotls in the same area without worrying about fights between them. They’ll coexist peacefully.

Do Axolotls Attack Dolphins?

This is where things get interesting. The answer depends on the situation.

Axolotls DO attack dolphins in Bedrock Edition. If you’re playing on consoles, Windows 10 Edition, or mobile, your axolotls will go after dolphins and try to kill them. This happens because Bedrock Edition treats dolphins as hostile mobs from the axolotl’s perspective.

Axolotls DO NOT attack dolphins in Java Edition. If you’re playing the original PC version, your axolotls leave dolphins alone. Java Edition specifically programs axolotls to ignore dolphins.

This version difference creates confusion. Players on different platforms have completely opposite experiences when mixing these two mobs.

Why Axolotls Attack Things in Minecraft

Understanding what axolotls normally hunt explains the dolphin situation better.

Axolotls are predators. They attack most aquatic mobs they encounter, including:

• Fish (all types: cod, salmon, tropical fish, pufferfish)
• Squid
• Glow squid
• Drowned (the zombie swimmers)
• Guardians
• Elder guardians

They won’t attack:

• Other axolotls
• Turtles
• Frogs
• Players (unless you attack them first)
• Dolphins (Java Edition only)

The game designed axolotls to hunt underwater creatures. This makes sense since real axolotls are carnivorous predators that eat fish and other small aquatic animals.

What Dolphins Actually Attack

Dolphins have a much shorter attack list than axolotls.

Dolphins ONLY attack:

• Guardians
• Elder guardians

That’s it. Just those two mobs.

Dolphins won’t attack:

• Players
• Axolotls
• Fish
• Squid
• Drowned
• Any land mobs
• Other dolphins

Dolphins are mostly peaceful creatures. They only become hostile toward the spiky temple guardians. This behavior helps players during ocean monument raids since dolphins naturally fight your enemies there.

Setting Up a Safe Mixed Tank

If you’re on Java Edition, mixing dolphins and axolotls is easy. Just put them together and they’ll ignore each other.

For Bedrock Edition players, you’ve got a problem. Your axolotls will hunt your dolphins. Here are your options:

Option 1: Keep them completely separated

Build two different aquatic areas. Put dolphins in one section and axolotls in another. Use solid blocks between them so the axolotls can’t see or reach the dolphins.

This is the safest method but means you can’t enjoy both mobs in one space.

Option 2: Use barriers or glass walls

Place invisible barriers or glass between the two groups. They can see each other but can’t interact.

This works well for display tanks where you want the visual effect of both mobs without the danger.

Option 3: Keep axolotls in a bucket

Axolotls can be scooped up with a water bucket and stored safely. You could place the bucket near your dolphin area as decoration, though the axolotl won’t be visible or active.

Not ideal, but it technically lets you “have both” in the same location.

Option 4: Just accept dolphin casualties

Some players don’t mind if their axolotls occasionally kill dolphins. Dolphins can respawn or be found elsewhere. If you care more about natural behavior than keeping everyone alive, let nature take its course.

Not recommended if you’ve named your dolphins or gotten attached to them.

Other Dangers to Axolotls

While we’re talking about what attacks axolotls, let’s cover the full list of threats they face.

Drowned zombies attack axolotls on sight. These underwater zombies are one of the biggest threats to your axolotl collection. They’ll swim straight toward axolotls and fight them.

Guardians and Elder Guardians shoot laser beams at axolotls. These temple defenders consider axolotls enemies and will kill them from a distance.

Players can accidentally or intentionally hurt axolotls. Be careful swinging weapons underwater.

Fish don’t attack axolotls, but axolotls hunt them aggressively. Keep this in mind if you’re trying to keep tropical fish alive nearby.

Lack of water kills axolotls fast. They start taking damage within minutes if they’re on land. Always make sure they have water access.

Deep ocean temperatures don’t directly hurt axolotls, but they can wander into dangerous situations. Keep them in controlled areas where you can protect them.

Other Dangers to Dolphins

Dolphins face different threats than axolotls.

Guardians and Elder Guardians fight back when dolphins attack them. While dolphins usually win one-on-one, guardians can kill dolphins if there are multiple guardians.

Being on land kills dolphins through suffocation. They start taking damage after a short time out of water. Unlike axolotls who can walk around for a bit, dolphins need water constantly.

Bedrock Edition axolotls as discussed, will hunt dolphins. This is the biggest unexpected threat most players don’t know about.

Players can hurt dolphins, though this makes the nearby dolphins hostile toward you. Attack one dolphin and all nearby dolphins gang up on you.

Accidental death happens when dolphins jump out of water and can’t find their way back. They’re playful and sometimes beach themselves.

Making Axolotls and Dolphins Work Together

Despite the Bedrock Edition problems, there are ways to enjoy both mobs.

Strategy 1: Build a split-level tank

Create an aquarium with two levels separated by glass floors. Put dolphins on top, axolotls below. They can’t reach each other but you see both from different angles.

Strategy 2: Separate ocean biomes

If you’re building near the coast, keep dolphins in the open ocean while your axolotls stay in an enclosed underground pool or cave system nearby.

Strategy 3: Time-sharing the space

Keep axolotls in buckets most of the time. When you want to watch them, temporarily remove dolphins to a holding tank. Switch them back when you’re done.

Tedious, but lets you use one space for both.

Strategy 4: Play Java Edition

If you have the choice and really want both mobs together, Java Edition makes this simple. No conflict, no worries.

Strategy 5: Use creative mode tricks

In creative mode, you can use commands to modify mob behavior. This requires technical knowledge but lets you prevent axolotls from attacking dolphins even in Bedrock.

Not available in survival mode, obviously.

Interesting Behaviors When They’re Together

When dolphins and axolotls share space (peacefully, in Java Edition), some fun interactions happen.

Dolphins speed past axolotls with their fast swimming. The axolotls slowly paddle along while dolphins zip around them. It creates a nice visual contrast.

Both mobs ignore each other’s food. Dolphins want raw cod. Axolotls want tropical fish buckets (for breeding) or hunt live prey. They’re not competing for resources.

Dolphins jump and play while axolotls walk along the bottom. They use different layers of the water column, reducing overlap.

During guardian fights, both mobs attack the guardians. They become temporary allies against a common enemy, even though they don’t actually team up intentionally.

Axolotls change color through breeding. You can create a rainbow collection of axolotls while dolphins stay their normal blue-gray color.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Mistake 1: Assuming peaceful means safe everywhere

Just because dolphins don’t attack axolotls doesn’t mean axolotls return the favor (in Bedrock). Always check your edition before mixing them.

Mistake 2: Building tanks too small

Both mobs need swimming space. Cramming them into tiny pools stresses them out and makes pathfinding weird. Give them room.

Mistake 3: Forgetting about drowned spawns

If your tank connects to ocean or river biomes, drowned can spawn and kill your axolotls. Light up the area and block off spawning spaces.

Mistake 4: Not naming important mobs

Use a name tag on dolphins and axolotls you want to keep. This prevents them from despawning if you travel far away.

Mistake 5: Mixing in other aggressive mobs

Some players try creating “complete ocean ecosystems” with guardians, drowned, and other hostile mobs. This always ends with dead axolotls and dolphins.

Mistake 6: Forgetting dolphins need air

Dolphins must surface regularly to breathe. If you build a completely enclosed underwater dome with no air pockets, your dolphins suffocate.

Mistake 7: Thinking axolotls are decorative

New players treat axolotls like passive decoration. Then they watch in horror as their cute pets slaughter every fish in the tank. Axolotls are aggressive hunters.

Breeding Considerations

Both mobs can breed, but they have totally different requirements.

Breeding axolotls:

• Feed two axolotls tropical fish from buckets
• They enter love mode and produce a baby
• Baby takes 20 minutes to grow up
• Five color variations possible (leucistic, wild, gold, cyan, blue)

You can breed them in the same water as dolphins without issues.

Breeding dolphins:

You can’t breed dolphins in Minecraft. They don’t have a breeding mechanic at all.

New dolphins only appear through natural spawning in ocean biomes. You can’t create more through gameplay.

This means dolphins are more valuable and harder to replace than axolotls. Protect them carefully, especially in Bedrock Edition.

Version Differences Summary

Quick reference for Java vs Bedrock behavior:

Java Edition:

• Axolotls ignore dolphins ✓
• Dolphins ignore axolotls ✓
• Can safely mix both mobs ✓
• No special precautions needed ✓

Bedrock Edition:

• Axolotls attack dolphins ✗
• Dolphins ignore axolotls ✓
• Cannot safely mix them ✗
• Requires separation ✓

If you’re unsure which version you have:

• PC (original): Java Edition
• Windows 10/11 Edition: Bedrock
• Xbox, PlayStation, Switch: Bedrock
• Mobile (iOS, Android): Bedrock

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop Bedrock axolotls from attacking dolphins?

Not in survival mode without mods. The behavior is hardcoded into the game. Your only options are physical separation or playing Java Edition instead.

What happens if a dolphin and axolotl fight in Bedrock?

The axolotl usually wins. Dolphins have 10 health points while axolotls have 14. Axolotls also deal decent damage. Unless multiple dolphins team up, the axolotl comes out on top.

Do dolphins help axolotls in combat?

No. Even though both attack guardians, they don’t work as a team. They just happen to have the same enemy. Dolphins won’t defend axolotls from drowned or other threats.

Can axolotls and dolphins share the same water source?

Technically yes, but in Bedrock Edition it leads to dead dolphins. In Java Edition, absolutely no problem.

Will Mojang fix the Bedrock Edition behavior?

Unknown. The developers haven’t announced plans to change this. It might be intentional behavior differences between versions, or it might get standardized eventually.

Can I transport both mobs together?

Axolotls go in water buckets easily. Dolphins can’t be bucketed. You’d need to transport them separately using different methods (buckets for axolotls, water channels or boats for dolphins).

Do named dolphins and axolotls behave differently?

Naming them with name tags prevents despawning but doesn’t change their behavior toward each other.

What’s the best biome for keeping both?

Lukewarm ocean biomes work well. They have the right water temperature and depth. Build your structures there with appropriate separation for Bedrock or mixed tanks for Java.

Can I have an axolotl army fight alongside dolphins?

Sort of. During ocean monument raids, both species attack guardians. In Java Edition, they work in the same space. In Bedrock, you’d need to keep them separated until reaching the monument.

Do baby axolotls attack dolphins?

Yes in Bedrock, no in Java. Age doesn’t matter the behavior follows the same rules as adults.

Creative Build Ideas

Now that you understand the mechanics, here are some build concepts:

The Divided Aquarium: Glass walls separate sections. Dolphins in the center, axolotls in side chambers. Viewers walk through the middle seeing both.

Layered Ocean Base: Multiple floors in your underwater base. Top floor open to ocean with dolphins. Bottom floor is a secure axolotl breeding facility.

The Observation Deck: Build a glass tunnel through ocean waters. Dolphins swim freely outside. Axolotls live in controlled pools inside your base.

Color Collection Display: Individual glass tanks showing all five axolotl colors. Dolphins swim in the surrounding waters (Java Edition only).

Guardian Farm Entrance: Use dolphins to guide you to an ocean monument. Keep axolotls nearby in a safe holding area to help with the raid.

Aquatic Zoo: Separate exhibits for different mobs. Dolphin pool, axolotl cavern, turtle beach, fish pond all connected by glass tunnels.

The Hybrid Build (Java only): Large natural-looking lagoon with both species swimming together. Add coral, sea grass, and ruins for atmosphere.

Bottom Line

Dolphins and axolotls have a complicated relationship that depends entirely on your game version.

Java Edition players can mix them freely with zero concerns. The mobs ignore each other and peacefully coexist.

Bedrock Edition players face a serious problem: axolotls will hunt and kill dolphins. You must keep them physically separated or accept losing your dolphins.

Neither mob attacks the other consistently across all versions, creating confusion when players share tips online. Always specify which version you’re discussing when asking for advice.

Both mobs bring unique benefits to your Minecraft world. Dolphins boost your swimming speed and help fight guardians. Axolotls come in beautiful colors, assist in combat, and can be bred easily.

With proper planning and understanding of version differences, you can enjoy both mobs in your aquatic builds. Just remember: separation for Bedrock, freedom for Java.