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Gender and age estimation?

Danimorse

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Hi there, bought my axie in June/July 2013 where I was told she was born January ish. I'm unsure if this is true as she seems small for over a year old. I'm also assuming she is female but I would appreciate second opinions! It would also help to get an opinion on whether she looks healthy! Can never be too careful with my beautiful baby :happy: thanks in advance!
 

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auntiejude

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She looks good. How big is she?

If she's over a year old you should be able to make out whether she's a girl or not - can you get a pic from the side? Looks female from above, but from the side would confirm it.
 

Geckogal

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If she is around a year old, I would say female from the pictures.
A male's "bulge" would be more obvious by then.
 

Elliriyanna

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My adult female is only 9 inches if it helps :)

Certainly looks female to me, no bulge.
 

Sweetie

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At what age does the male's swelling start to appear? Is seven months too young? I really am convinced from the view of my albino axie (Boris) as he swims to the surface with his tummy facing the front of his tank that Boris has a very distinct swelling beginning under and just behind/between his rear legs. He also seems to have the body shape of a male (as far as I can ascertain, based on looking at dozens of albino axie pics on this site). He is only about five inches long - perhaps half an inch longer (haven't measured him exactly yet) - but could that be because he is not a large lotl or was not eating much in the weeks before we got him and/or is in fact older than the seven months he should now be, according to the aquarium shop owner where we bought him? :confused:
 

auntiejude

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Males have a BIG bulge - we're not talking a little swelling , it's more like MUCHOS COJONES!
7 months is a bit young to be certain, and body shape is by no means a definite indicator. 5" is small, but reasonable for 7 months, 8" or 9 months is considered the earliest you can sex an axie.
 

Sweetie

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Ok. Looks like I'll just have to be patient then, but I really am convinced Boris's cahunas are just starting to show - it is a definite bulge, it's in the right place and it seems to be gradually getting bigger. And yes, if I am right, they will indeed be big.
If he is actually a month or two older than seven months, then he must be TINY at five inches or so - would that account for his seemingly endless appetite? Today, he has eaten three earthworms (thanks for that advice!) plus one bloodworm cube (it was raining so heavily when I went to give him lunch, the freezer was as far as I got - I gathered a few extra worms this afternoon, in storage for tomorrow). Only one of the earthworms was a little Boris-sized one - the other two were pretty big (long, anyway), but he handled them like a pro - quickly, decisively and viciously. HE LOVED THEM.
Also got the dechlorinating solution today - the anchorworm thing has terrified me. Still have to find an appropriate test kit that covers ammonia - any tips there?
Again, I so appreciate your time in giving me so much helpful advice. I am so keen to learn whatever I need to so that Boris has a happy life. (Or Natasha, perhaps. But he looks like a Boris...)
 

auntiejude

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Until fully grown axie usually eat every day. I'd say 3 worms plus bloodworms was a bit excessive, but if you watch his width and adjust accordingly you should be OK.

A master test kit is what you need, any brand but API is popular. It has several bottles of reagent, some test tubes and colour cards. Read the instructions carefully.
 

Sweetie

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I'd say 3 worms plus bloodworms was a bit excessive, but if you watch his width and adjust accordingly you should be OK.

I have stopped the frozen bloodworm cubes and he is now getting 3 worms a day. I am gradually reducing his food, in the expectation that his tummy will soon be the same width as his head, at which point I don't want to suddenly drop his food intake overnight! I plan to look for smaller worms (cannot bring myself to cut them in half!) and/or reduce him to 2 worms a day over the next few days. He may just be bored, I think ...

A master test kit is what you need, any brand but API is popular.

Thank you for that - the API Freshwater Master Test Kit it is - asap. Boris is already in the dechlorinated tap water, as per your advice.
 

xxianxx

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I have stopped the frozen bloodworm cubes and he is now getting 3 worms a day. I am gradually reducing his food, in the expectation that his tummy will soon be the same width as his head, at which point I don't want to suddenly drop his food intake overnight! I plan to look for smaller worms (cannot bring myself to cut them in half!) and/or reduce him to 2 worms a day over the next few days. He may just be bored, I think ...

Why reduce the food ? If thats the amount of food it wants just keep dropping the worms on him, obesity is not a problem for axolotls. Young axolotls have a very high growth rate, they go from 5mm to 15-23 cm in the first year of life so will often eat a suprising amount , food consumption will fall off when they hit adulthood though females will start to eat more before and after egg laying.
 

Boomsloth

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I have stopped the frozen bloodworm cubes and he is now getting 3 worms a day. I am gradually reducing his food, in the expectation that his tummy will soon be the same width as his head, at which point I don't want to suddenly drop his food intake overnight! I plan to look for smaller worms (cannot bring myself to cut them in half!) and/or reduce him to 2 worms a day over the next few days. He may just be bored, I think ...

My axolotls went from eating half a cube of bloodworms each to eating a good amount of earthworms each. The largest is about 7" now and is rounding up but I wouldn't consider her overweight. They eat as much as they can and as long as its a balanced diet, you shouldn't see any weight issues. Fat axolotls are usually caused by either being fed the wrong diet or some form of organ failure/illness.

Why reduce the food ? If thats the amount of food it wants just keep dropping the worms on him, obesity is not a problem for axolotls. Young axolotls have a very high growth rate, they go from 5mm to 15-23 cm in the first year of life so will often eat a suprising amount , food consumption will fall off when they hit adulthood though females will start to eat more before and after egg laying.

Agreed. January they were 2-3" grew at a steady pace until about two weeks ago when they started to grow about an inch at least more.
 

Sweetie

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Why reduce the food ? If thats the amount of food it wants just keep dropping the worms on him, obesity is not a problem for axolotls.
I have no idea how many worms Boris would eat if I just kept giving them to him :eek: but I would be interested to find out. So would Boris, no doubt. :grin:
 
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