Congratulations! Your pet Axolotls have had a successful breeding session, and they have laid many, many eggs. There is a multitude of tiny balls swarming at the bottom of your tank, right?
But now you’re unsure what to do with so many eggs, and you’re trying to educate yourself on what to do next.
Well, the honest truth is that you actually do not need to put a great deal of effort into this. There is no short summary; you need to commit till the end. In this article, I will explain to you what you must do once your axolotls have laid their eggs, along with some important things you need to take note of as well.
What does an Axolotl Egg look like?
Freshly laid axolotl eggs normally have a pale white color and a round shape. The color of the eggs varies between different morphs of axolotls. For example, the albino variants lay eggs that are bright white.
The eggs have an outer shell that prevents them from getting rotten.
What do I do if my Axolotl lays eggs: Step-By-Step Guide
Axolotls are carnivorous, so it’s important to remove their eggs once they are spotted inside the aquarium to prevent them from being eaten. Follow the below steps as soon as you notice eggs inside the tank.
1. Wait for the Female Axolotl to Finish Laying Eggs
The breeding process of axolotls takes up to 72 hours. If you want the axolotls to lay all the eggs, give them time to do so.
2. Choose a Secure Place for the Eggs
Remember to keep the tank in a secure place before moving the eggs to a separate tank. The size of the tank also matters as axolotls require ample space to move around.
3. Tank Size for Housing Axolotl Hatchlings
Initially, up to 100 axolotl hatchlings can be housed in a 20-gallon tank. However, more than that will result in overcrowding.
4. Adjust the Water Temperature
The water temperature is crucial in accelerating the hatching process. Warmer water will speed up the hatching, while colder water will delay it.
5. Hatching Time
Under normal circumstances, axolotl eggs will begin to hatch in about 2 weeks. To delay the hatching process, bring the water temperature down to 57-64 °F (14-18 °C), which will buy you 7-8 more days. To accelerate the hatching, bring the water temperature up to 72 °F (22 °C), and the eggs will begin hatching in about 10 days. Remember to bring the water temperature down once the eggs have hatched, as axolotls do not prefer warm water.
6. Removing the Eggs
The eggs can be removed with bare hands or a small net, but be careful not to damage them during the transfer process. Also, make sure the transfer is done as cleanly as possible as newly hatched axolotls are fragile and can be affected by dirt or chemicals from the original tank.
If the eggs are attached to something like plants, it’s better to move the entire thing to the new tank.
7. Separate the Hatchlings
As the hatchlings develop and undergo metamorphosis, separate them into smaller colonies in different tanks to avoid overcrowding.
How do I take care of Axolotl eggs?
You can take a few actions to increase the likelihood that your recently laid eggs will successfully develop into hatchlings. These include the following:
- Maintain the water temperature
- Maintain a clean environment in the tank
- Monitor the eggs regularly
- Remove the bad eggs as soon as you spot them
Doing so will definitely help towards having a healthy batch of freshly hatched axolotls!
How do I know if my Axolotl Egg is fertile?
It is easy to tell whether an egg has been fertilized or not after about 4 days from the time it is laid. They begin to resemble long creatures, and their tail begins to be visible. Additionally, the growing head and gills are visible.
Around this time, you can also determine which eggs have successfully begun to morph and which have gone bad.
How long do Axolotl Eggs take to hatch?
Axolotl eggs can fertilize in a very short time. Usually, freshly laid eggs start to develop into embryos in just about 12 hours. Once the morphosis begins, the eggs start to show signs of coming into shape. You will also occasionally spot air bubbles next to the eggs while they are developing.
It will take about 10 days for the eggs to hatch fully, provided the eggs are in warm water (about 20-22 °C).
What do I do with an unwanted Axolotl Egg?
I suppose the easiest thing to do in this case is to get rid of them. If you want to do this in a humane way, then you should put them in the freezer. Freezing the egg will result in the larvae going into hibernation mode, and soon the vital functions will stop. Then you can easily throw them away in the trash.
Another thing you can do is give them to someone. Who knows, maybe they will want the eggs more than you do?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When do Axolotls start laying eggs?
A female axolotl will usually lay her eggs within 12 to 20 hours of mating. In rare occurrences, she waits for a few days before she starts laying eggs. She will spread the eggs over the span of a couple of days.
Can female Axolotls breed without a male?
The breeding procedure for axolotls requires sexual interaction. Therefore, the presence of both a male and a female is required here. You can learn more about this from my article on how axolotls reproduce.
How many eggs does an Axolotl lay?
The average number of eggs an axolotl can lay in a single sitting is around 300. In fact, one female axolotl can lay up to 1500 eggs at a time.
Can you move Axolotl Eggs?
You must move the axolotl eggs to a separate tank so that their parents don’t dine on them! Also, once the eggs hatch, you should divide them into smaller groups in order to avoid overcrowding.
Finishing Up
I hope that from this article you have understood that it really is not much of a hassle to look after axolotl eggs. The only things that are missing are your attention, motivation, love, and care.
If you have followed this article, I am pretty sure you will do a fine job hatching your axolotl eggs and raising the babies. Let me know in the comment section how you did!
