How I raised my Axolotl spawn

[Phil]

Hi guys,

Not posted for a while, been busy at work (and at home). Just raised quite a few Axolotls, with minimal time and effort. Thought I'd share this with you:

Before I start, I'd just like to state this is how I raised them, I'm not an expert - and there is a lot of people on this forum more experienced than me.

Previous batches I've raised - I've gone through rigorous water changing rituals. This time I cut back to see if it made any difference. It didn't.

Basically, I part changed the water once a week. Every Wednesday evening I'd siphon out the bottom of the tanks - replacing the water with tap water that I'd left outside for a couple of days.

Kept them in clear plastic "under bed" storage containers. Just pond weed, and out of any direct sun light.

Fed them on my own cultured wild daphnia; then as they got older part pet shop daphnia*. Then when large enough blood worm.

Lost a lot less than I have previous years; I'd say a 90% survival rate.

Because I tried to raise too many, I struggled to keep them well fed. And, I've started having problems with space. Got a couple missing a foot. But, I've since separated them and started to mix a few squats (small maggots**) and catfish pellets in with the blood worm.

* If you do use pet shop daphnia - make sure it's fresh, older daphnia can cause a bacterial infection.
** Don't feed too many maggots, can bloat - hard to digest and fatty.

Maybe this was a strong couple of batches of eggs. Or maybe I was doing something wrong when I was doing loads of water changes.

Looking forward to bringing up a summer batch when I can feed from the pond.

Hope someone finds this helpful. Cheers, Phil

[salamandernewbi]

Cheers Phil. I have indeed found this useful. Just at research stage of becoming an Axolotl keeper (and hopefully breeder) and thought maggots might have been a good staple diet. Thanks for the heads up.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by salamandernewbi

Cheers Phil. I have indeed found this useful. Just at research stage of becoming an Axolotl keeper (and hopefully breeder) and thought maggots might have been a good staple diet. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks mate. Chopped worms are a lot better than maggots if you can find them - I'm guessing I originally wrote this while raising a batch over winter (Jan/Feb when ground is frozen).

Melfly ~ has had a great survival rate raising them on baby brineshrimp with 100% water changes every day or so.

Good luck with your lot.
Cheers, Phil

[KINGOFTHEMODS]

I'm with you on all those points. That's what I do too, but what's your secret with getting baby daphnia mid winter? I always struggle doing home made brine shrimp, not great for the water I feel, please tell?

[Phil]

Originally Posted by KINGOFTHEMODS

im with you on all them points, thats what i do too but whats your secret with getting baby daphnia mid winter i always struggle doing home made brine shrimp, not great for the water i feel, please tell.

I tend to raise less Axolotls in winter - for that very reason (usually about 20-30 eggs).

You can keep a little daphnia (and other natural water flea type creatures) going in well lit room and window bottoms ...but not enough to raise more than 20-30 eggs.

You'll need to have more than one source going, just incase on crashes. Got to admit, I was going to give brineshrimp another try this year - as I've seen how well Melfly does on it. However, not had time to raise any yet.

Although the weather in turning, my tubs outside still are looking OK.

Cheers, Phil

[melfly]

Hi. My baby brineshrimp failed to hatch this time. The eggs are pretty old, so i've ordered some more. At the min i've got 31 week old babies feeding on something from an outside tub. I was thinkin it was baby daphnia but i'm not sure. If you need advice on the baby brineshrimp (which i prefer) let me know. Mel

[KINGOFTHEMODS]

Didnt know that. Thanks philbaker!