What's the best setup?

Right, I know people ask this all the time but it seems to vary between species.

I bought a number of eggs in Feb 2008, and they proceeded to hatch a couple of weeks later, they were split into 2 tanks, Approx 10 in each. Both were developing fine, and suddenly I lost an entire tank full in 2 days! But the other tank progressed fine. Eventually I ended up with 4 fully developed axalotl's, one of which was significantly smaller. The small one was separated and is now happily living in his own tank. The other three were given a communal tank, 120cm/30cm/50cm. Having researched how to sex them I was led to believe I had 3 female's. But it appears one of them was lying!!! And I cant tell which one!!!

I now currently have about 30eggs, that appeared sometime between going to work last night and getting up today, which i have moved into a breeding net enclosure (the sort used for tropical fish) so they dont become lunch. How many more eggs are likely to appear?

Secondly they are white with black eye's (no I haven't the foggiest what the latin name is), so what would be the correct setup for the new tank to raise the eggs in???

I usually raise my eggs in groups of 5(ish), in small tupperware containers. Change the water 100% every day or so, usually with tank water from the adults.

Ok, i have a couple of small tanks I can use, (5litre). As this is the first time they have bred, how many more eggs should I expect?

The tank the parents are in has both a filter and air pump, do the eggs need both as well???

Females can lay anywhere between 100 and 1000 eggs at a time. First time breeders usually lay smaller clutches, but not always.

I don't use filters or air pumps with eggs.

Well the total is about 35eggs. No of them are swimming near the surface anymore, or in the middle of the plants so i think that could be it!

The eggs are still separated in the tank, but I have another setup that should be ready for them to move into in the next couple of days.

As this is the first batch they have produced i dont know if they are even fertile, so I am going to wait for them to hatch, but i haven't really got the space or time currently to raise them after they reach the juvenile stage, so if anyone is interested in any (or all) let me know!!! Both parents are white, with black eyes, so in theory they should be white as well!

You'll be able to see them develop in the egg if they're fertile.

If you don't want the larvae, you can always leave the eggs in the parent's tank and let nature take its course.

Do I need to change the water before the eggs hatch??? They have been in the tank for 2days (by this evening) and wasn't sure if it would affect them before the hatch?

My eggs were in a separate tank, and I didn't change the water before they hatched. Once they had hatched, I changed the water daily, using water from the parents' tank.

Ta v.much! Well, none have hatched yet, but they are definitely beginning to develop, so once they hatch Il start changing the water.

Hi Guiness. Where in the UK are you from? Anywhere near newcastle area? i'm after some axolotls. My tank is currently cycling at the moment so by the time yours are at the juvenile stage then it should be finished. i'm after 3 in total but am after 3 different colours.

Thanks, Claire

Hi Claire,

Im down near Southampton, but Im more than happy to post some! (thats how mine arrived :happy: )

They have all hatched now! And it appears some are very pale, while some are a bit darker!

And I got it a bit wrong on the counting, I have 46!!!

Well they have all hatched, and did I fail at counting or what!!!

They keep moving but its either 45 or 46!

Im planning to split them into 10/10/ and the rest in a slightly bigger tank!

Is there any difference in how you raise wildtype/white/golden/albino???

Guiness said:

Well they have all hatched, and did I fail at counting or what!!!

They keep moving but its either 45 or 46!

Im planning to split them into 10/10/ and the rest in a slightly bigger tank!

Is there any difference in how you raise wildtype/white/golden/albino???

Click to expand...

keep them all well fed to help stop them eating each other..
keep the wilds seperate (they tend to be little bit more aggresive.)

good luck, and dont forget pics!