Possible new Axie owner... Eggs?!

Hi there everyone,

I have been searching long and hard in my local area to find somewhere that stocks Axos. Unfortunately no where local to me does, and being unable to drive to others further afield, this makes obtaining one of these critters very difficult.

However...

I have the opportunity to buy some eggs from online, laid on the 11th of this month. I have never done anything like this (apart from hatching tadpoles as a kid!) but was wondering how difficult it is to raise Axies from eggs? I have freed up one of my tanks, a 27L that has been cycled, currently has just one fish in it which is due to be moved tomorrow. Would this be suitable for caring for the larvae? I have observed people using tubs of shallow water to raise their axos as well. Basically if I go through with this I want to get it right, so this is why I'm here for advice.

Where would be best to hatch these critters, and is there any tips you could offer? I have been researching a lot over the past months but would value extra input and advice. I would hope to keep 2 for myself; the rest I already have takers for once they grow. I have a 2ft currently cycling for that purpose.

Sorry for the waffle.. .thank you!

I've never personally hatched any axolotl eggs before, but I can offer a bit of advice. Start up a daphnia culture, and get some frozen bloodworm cubes before you order your eggs. Once the eggs hatch, they will need to eat constantly, so you'll need a pretty nice culture started beforehand.

Hi there,

I can't get access to daphnia other than actual LIVE daphnia. Though I suppose I could use those to start off a culture and then breed. I can however get a hold of brine shrimp eggs pretty easily.

Eggs are harder to raise than small axies. You need a constant supply of newly hatched brine shrimp for the first week or 2, then other tiny food like daphnia. Most pet shops sell axies at 2-3"+ when they are big enough for bloodworms.

And if they were laid on 11th they are too close to hatching to ship now unless they have been chilled in some way - mine were laid on 9th/10th and they are hatching now. Wait until you can get a batch that are fresher - you want them posted within the first week of being laid if they are coming by post.

Your tank would be fine for a handful of baby axies, but not really suitable for adults, you'd need to move them on at some point. I am hatching my eggs in small plastic tubs (500mls), they will move to shoe storer boxes (5L) once they are on to daphnia.

Get yourself a daphnia culture going, read up on how to raise eggs, and look for a fresh batch - there should be loads about in the next few weeks.

For a guide I have - brineshrimp hatching evey night, a daphnia tub outside, a white worm culture in my outhouse along with a big wormery, and a tropical tank for breeding guppies and cherry shrimp. I swear my axies eat better than I do!

Hi, thanks for replying

So glad you said about the eggs being late. I've decided not to buy, which is great actually; now I have lots of time to allow my big tank to cycle and to get these cultures going.

I've found a daphnia kit on ebay... worth the money? Daphnia Starter Culture + Culturing Instructions + Food - Live Fish Food | eBay

Also, do you keep you cultures in tubs that are unfiltered? I have a very spacious garage.. would this be okay for culturing my shrimp and daphnia or too cold? It's not freezing here at the minute or anything.

When your axie babies are in the tubs, do you just rely on daily water changes? I also have some live elodea I could add to the baby nurseries before they move to the small tank > then hopefully the larger one as they progress.

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...sing-baby-axolotls-baby-brine-shrimp-bbs.html
thats my link for raising axolotls on baby brine shrimp. If you can purchase/culture enough daphnia you are best to use them, its less effort as you dont have to do daily water changes.