So many opinions... when does cannabalistic stage start and end?

[Nienora]

My husband and I are the proud owners of 21 4 week old Axolotls. We recently separated out the Wilds to individual sections of the aquarium as they tend to be more aggressive towards each other during feeding time. The 12 leucistics are divided up into two 2.5gal glass aquariums of 6 a piece at the moment. They have not shown cannibalistic tendencies. So, I read someone else on here said around 7-8 weeks they are old enough to be adopted out and are out of their cannibalistic stage for the most part. I heard it wasn't until they are 6 inches at the least. Help, please? Thank you.

 

[auntiejude]

There is no such thing as the 'cannibalistic stage'. Axies are always cannibals, and will eat a smaller axie given the chance.

So there is no real start and end.

However, with juvies they are always hungry and will snap at anything that moves. The danger comes when they are big enough to do damage and their limbs aren't sturdy enough to withstand an enthusiastic chomp.

I have found that axies raised separately by overcautious breeders keeping them all in individual containers tend to be more aggressive when put in mixed tanks. I think they don't recognise other axies as axies, only as a moving target to chase and eat. Axies raised in groups with plenty of food tend to be less aggressive towards other axies.

So my advice would be to keep them well fed and in small groups. I would normally have them in groups of 8-10 in a 5L tub until they get all their legs in, then move them into larger tubs or smaller groups.

 

[Nienora]

Thanks, auntiejude,

I guess we will keep doing what we've been doing. They are certainly well fed little axies, so I never worry about them being hungry per se. It's definitely a learning process at every turn!

 

[xxianxx]

They are all of a similar size when they hatch so pose no danger to each other, as they get older seperate them by size as growth rates vary and the bigger ones will eat the smaller ones.

 

[wyzazz]

They are all of a similar size when they hatch so pose no danger to each other, as they get older seperate them by size as growth rates vary and the bigger ones will eat the smaller ones.

Good advice, thank you!