xxianxx
Well-known member
I work off the premise that somebody who breeds axolotls should only release fit and healthy individuals into the hobby. Unfortunately this is starting to become a minority view. For those of you with a sensitive and bunny hugging disposition please leave this thread now, never breed any axolotls and continue on with your life hugging trees, stroking unicorns etc as I'm about to discuss murdering axolotls.
Axolotls produce hundreds of eggs, in a natural environment most wouldn't make it, natural selection would thin the population down to a few healthy individuals. In captivity this just doesnt happen, selective pressures are left down to the breeder who in most cases is trying to hit 0% mortality rate, zero deaths in a batch is cause for celebration and a genuine mark of a good breeder in some quarters. Little thought is given to the poor quality of animals they release into the hobby. Animals which may end up breeding and passing on their substandard genes. There will be a long term impact on the health of captive axolotls if this continues
Culling is not a pleasant thing for a breeder to do but it's essential to thin out the weak or deformed in a batch, if somebody is unable to do this don't breed axolotls.
A few years ago I posted a thread about the sale of a "special axolotl" at a premium price, the link to the add was removed from the thread btw http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-discussion/85781-what-do-you-guys-think.html
A deformed axolotl at a premium price.....fail. I was hoping this was a one off occurrence but the sale of dwarf axolotls has become more common in fb groups, carrying a premium price it's only a matter of time before these guys get selectively bred to generate cash. This is pure greed, short sighted and gives no thought for the well being of the animal, dwarfs do not live a natural life span, they appear to die younger than normal axolotls, do they suffer due to their condition ? Idk but the fact they die young indicates a severe failing in them. It is not a desirable trait on animal welfare grounds but unfortunately dwarfs attract a lot of attention from hobbiests who coo over their "cuteness", it makes me want to puke. White tigers, pedigree dogs all bred by humans with no concern for anything other than their own selfish desires, with zero concern for the short life spans and health problems which will plague those animals throughout their lives. Is this the fate in store for captive axolotls ? Probably.....
If you are a breeder you guys have a responsibility to remove the deformed, sick and weak axolotls from your tanks. Don't release them into the hobby, don't rehome them out of kindness as they may end up breeding once they get a "friend" as axolotls need friends apparently and pine if left on their own.... Bite the bullet, be responsible for the quality of your animals, cull what needs culling.
Axolotls produce hundreds of eggs, in a natural environment most wouldn't make it, natural selection would thin the population down to a few healthy individuals. In captivity this just doesnt happen, selective pressures are left down to the breeder who in most cases is trying to hit 0% mortality rate, zero deaths in a batch is cause for celebration and a genuine mark of a good breeder in some quarters. Little thought is given to the poor quality of animals they release into the hobby. Animals which may end up breeding and passing on their substandard genes. There will be a long term impact on the health of captive axolotls if this continues
Culling is not a pleasant thing for a breeder to do but it's essential to thin out the weak or deformed in a batch, if somebody is unable to do this don't breed axolotls.
A few years ago I posted a thread about the sale of a "special axolotl" at a premium price, the link to the add was removed from the thread btw http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-discussion/85781-what-do-you-guys-think.html
A deformed axolotl at a premium price.....fail. I was hoping this was a one off occurrence but the sale of dwarf axolotls has become more common in fb groups, carrying a premium price it's only a matter of time before these guys get selectively bred to generate cash. This is pure greed, short sighted and gives no thought for the well being of the animal, dwarfs do not live a natural life span, they appear to die younger than normal axolotls, do they suffer due to their condition ? Idk but the fact they die young indicates a severe failing in them. It is not a desirable trait on animal welfare grounds but unfortunately dwarfs attract a lot of attention from hobbiests who coo over their "cuteness", it makes me want to puke. White tigers, pedigree dogs all bred by humans with no concern for anything other than their own selfish desires, with zero concern for the short life spans and health problems which will plague those animals throughout their lives. Is this the fate in store for captive axolotls ? Probably.....
If you are a breeder you guys have a responsibility to remove the deformed, sick and weak axolotls from your tanks. Don't release them into the hobby, don't rehome them out of kindness as they may end up breeding once they get a "friend" as axolotls need friends apparently and pine if left on their own.... Bite the bullet, be responsible for the quality of your animals, cull what needs culling.