Breeding Axolotls

Axolotls are really giant tadpoles of a Mexican salamander but the odd thing is that they can breed even though they are immature. Males have slimmer line and have a longer tail than the more chubby females. It is amongst the strangest and interesting creature. For laboratories, they are not uncommon but to the public, it is a unique creature for sure. It is kept by the hobbyists and bred too. The following account guides hobbyists about breeding axolotls.

Basics of Axolotl Breeding

Axolotls attain sexual maturity somewhere between 5 months and several years. Reaching sexual maturity depends on regularity and quality of food with water temperature in which they are kept. Usually when they reach to the length of about 18 cm or 7 inches, they start maturing. Don’t breed Axolotls before they are 18 months old. During this time they reach the size greater than 12 inches or 30 cm in several cases and a condition where female ready to breed will be round towards the body’s end. It is suggested that it is safe to breed males at an earlier age than females as their physical output is much lesser than females during mating. Thus, the male’s body has less strain. It should also be remembered that females should not be bred before they attain their full body size.

Breeding Methods for Axolotls

The breeding season for Axolotls is widely believed to be from December to June. Though you can breed them in any season, breeding them in a year’s early part has reported most successes. Various schools have brought up their methods of breeding Axolotls which are described below-

Changes in length of light period to trigger spawning are made. Over a few weeks males and females are subjected to a decreasing daylight period. Period of lighting is gradually increased after that. Male and female are then put together and courtship behavior follows.

A sudden change in temperature to trigger courtship behavior is suggested by an alternate school. For few weeks keep the pair separately at 20-22 degree C or 68-71 degree F. Now, transfer the pair into a tank having temperature at minimum of 5 degree C. It recurrently triggers courtship behavior. It will be better to keep the temperature at 12-14 degree C or 54-57 degree F. It is said that the male is usually stimulated by this thermal shock method. This method can be truly a success if the female is receptive and ready to breed.

Breeding Set Up

The breeding setup for Axolotls should have various plants. Place slates or flat, rough pieces of stone on the tank’s bottom for the male to deposit its spermatophore (packet of sperm). Put the tank in a room where it will be left alone and the pair does not get disturbed.

Axolotls Spawning

The male initiates spawning. It swims around with raised tail and forceful writhing motions. Female’s vent is occasionally nudged by male and the former is lead around the tank. The male deposits between 5 and 25 of spermatophore around the tank and tries to lead the female over them. Fertilization takes place internally when female picks up the sperm cap in her cloaca.

Spawning begins between a few hours and two days later. Female lays each egg individually on plant leaves. If plants are not available, she will lay them about the tank, attaching them to pipes, rocks and any other available object. In one spawning may be 100 or more than 1000 eggs are laid depending on the female’s size. After egg laying; remove the pair from tank.

Egg Hatching by Axolotls

Eggs are hatched in about 2 to 3 weeks. Best development takes place when eggs are attached to plants. Most of the eggs hatch if kept in well-aerated water if they are fertilized. Usually eggs hatch in about 17 days at 20 degree C or 68 degree F.

If an Axolotls pair is kept in good condition, it should be bred once a year. On an average, it lives a life of ten to fifteen years. Thus, you have a good period of time of breeding Axolotls. Be cautious and breed with care. They may bring you surprises.