Question: Fair Pricing for Axolotls (part 2?)

[electronfusion]

So I posted a similar (not quite the same) thread to this already, but wanted to state my main question in the form of a poll.

My question is, how much would you be willing to pay for a healthy axolotl, from a reputable dealer? And why?

 

[michael]

I'd gladly pay 100.00 to 150.00 ea. for some harlequin or piebald adults. I think the most I ever paid for a subadult axolotl was about 150.00.

 

[blueberlin]

The standard price direct from breeders here is 1 euro per 1 centimeter body length.

-Eva

 

[ghogg]

I got my pair for £25 each a couple of months ago. They were about 8 inches when I got them, and seem to have grown a bit since then. The male leucistic is definitely mature, he's been laying spermaphores all over the tank but no eggs yet from the wild type female. Both about the same size, in length anyway, female is getting a bit fat!
They were sold as XL axolotl's which I just assumed meant they were adults.

 

[achiinto]

I have paid $200 CAD for each one before simply because they are seldom available in Canada. I do wish that they become more affordable. I don't mind a price of 70$, at least that is more reasonable than 200$.

 

[daremo]

i got mine (juvenile golden albino) for 10 pesos (a little more than 2 dollars) and i saw them being sold for 20 pesos a few days ago...

i guess they breed pretty well in south america

 

[electronfusion]

So I think I'm getting a clear idea of what people will pay, but I'm not so sure since people are mentioning their juveniles.

This thread is meant to gauge pricing for adult axolotls (8+ inches and breeding age) only.

------------------------------------------------------------

And here's a follow-up question (don't know if this would be better asked on another thread or not):
How much does it cost you to feed a hungry, growing axolotl for about a year? Is it below $50?

 

[melfly]

I wouldn't pay more than £25 for an adult axolotl.
And i'd only pay that if i really really wanted it. (if it was Melanoid)

Mel

 

[Mac Myers]

Heh... I still don't know. I'd depend on someone who knows to tell me!

 

[Jacquie]

I've paid (and been happy paying) a range $15-40.00 AUD for a healthy adult axolotl (I'm lucky enough to have a broad range of colour types available to me, as most of my local Aquariums sell axolotls, but sadly, not many - if any - are what I would call "reputable" dealers).

My local Aquarium had what they called "Giant Axolotls" (about 12 inchs long) and had two of them available, a leucistic and a wildtype, which they were charging $75.00 AUD each. I was tempted, but one of my own wildtypes was that size and he was $20.00 when I purchased him just a few years ago as an adult (8-9 inchs) from another aquarium.

If ever a piebald axolotl was made available to me though (I first saw and loved the piebald after seeing one in all its splendour on the cover of Peter W. Scott's book), I'd definately consider paying a significantly higher price.

How much does it cost you to feed a hungry, growing axolotl for about a year? Is it below $50?

Red wriggler earthworms are completely free of charge for me, as I have bucket loads of these worms in my garden - sadly though, the axolotl's don't altogether care for these worms, due to the noxious smell that the worm releases when cut or bitten into.

In providing my axies with a varied diet which includes: live earthworms (african nightcrawlers purchased from a bait shop), blackworm (purchased from a blackworm farm - $70.00 AUD per kilo), bloodworm (frozen cubes sold at petstore), and pellets - for me, personally, $50.00 a year would not stretch very far for my adult axolotls. Even if I had only the one axolotl, I can't see $50.00 stretching very far for a whole year. If I omitted the blackworms (never! ) and could entice my finicky eaters to eat the redwrigglers rather than the nightcrawlers though, it would probably be possible to keep it under $50.00 per year...

 

[blueberlin]

I paid 30 euros at a pet shop for my first two, which was an excellent price because they were both about 30 cm long. The others I bred from the first, or received in trade from other forum members.

Feeding juvenile and adult axolotls is quite inexpensive. Feeding larvae can be expensive. Raising them at all is expensive if you consider that your time spent is also worth money. The first two months are very work-intensive and the range of suitable foods is much narrower than for juveniles or adults. On a hobbyist level, I can't imagine that raising axolotls would be profitable. On a more commercial level, perhaps, assuming you raise all of your own food and have enough space to house them until sale.

-Eva

 

[electronfusion]

most of my local Aquariums sell axolotls, but sadly, not many - if any - are what I would call "reputable" dealers

Red wriggler earthworms are completely free of charge for me, as I have bucket loads of these worms in my garden

In providing my axies with a varied diet which includes: live earthworms (african nightcrawlers purchased from a bait shop)

Redworms or earthworms seem to be the preferred food (by far) of my axolotls. I wouldn't trust the worms from our backyard or anywhere near where I live though. Isn't there a high risk of contamination from pesticides or other gardening chemicals?

Also, you said that if you cut out a few staple items, you could keep feeding to $50 per year, but you say you paid between $13 and $36 (if my conversions are correct) for your presumably one year or older adult axolotls. Does that seem at all incongruous?

Important Question: Do you think if there were more reputable dealers in your area, for example that kept in contact with customers, and had testimonials and updates on the siblings of your axolotl, would you be likely to pay any more than the going rate there?

Raising them at all is expensive if you consider that your time spent is also worth money.

Isn't everyone's time worth money? Don't get me wrong- I love caring for my axolotls. But when I buy anything, I assume that the people who made (designed/assembled/raised/whatever) the item were compensated for their time. Hopefully they like what they do, but I still can't expect them to volunteer their services.

On a hobbyist level, I can't imagine that raising axolotls would be profitable. On a more commercial level, perhaps

Hopefully.

Well, whether I like hearing it or not, all the input so far has been valuable, and helped me assess the situation. More feedback (whatever kind) would be even better.

 

[electronfusion]

I have paid $200 CAD for each one before simply because they are seldom available in Canada. I do wish that they become more affordable. I don't mind a price of 70$, at least that is more reasonable than 200$.

Maybe I should sell to Canada then!

I know what you mean. Where I live they are also infrequently available, and I paid $50 at a pet store (where he wasn't treated so well) for my adult male wildtype, and $100 from a private hobbyist for my adult female GFP melanoid. Personally, I still feel like those were both very reasonable prices.

 

[SheEpYW0lf]

Here in my town, they go for 33,59 EUR. Doesn't matter whether it's young, old, big or small. So it's about picking the right one here :]

 

[michael]

Maybe I should sell to Canada then!

To sell to Canada you would need an import/export license. You would have to get CITES permits for your animals to cross the border. They would need to be inspected by USFW and Canadian officials. It is expensive and a big hassle to do it legally.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I raised a batch of axolotl a year or two back. I gave mine away to any one who contacted me via Caudata - this was because I was given the adults plus set up with out cost.
The remaining 10 or so I sold for @ £15 to an independent fish specialist ,( they I noticed sold them on for £25). At the time they where keen for me to raise and supply them with more, but this was not a convenient time.

 

[tonimeloni]

i paid $10 in NZ money for my lecustic juvenille axolotl

 

[melfly]

The remaining 10 or so I sold for @ £15 to an independent fish specialist ,( they I noticed sold them on for £25). At the time they where keen for me to raise and supply them with more, but this was not a convenient time.

Thats a good price, I contacted a pet shop and they were quoting £5 shop credit per axolotl.

I sell for around £10-£15 per axolotl. Only because I feel that this would attract the more genuine pet owners. I feel a £10-15 pet would be looked after a little better than a £3 goldfish. (this is in my opinion)
If it was family or a friend i could trust i would probably just give them away.
I do worry about my babies once they have left me and try to keep in contact with everyone to see how they are getting on.
It was brilliant to find out that two of my tiny babies had been cared for amazingly and are now adults and are mothers! (Thanks Ron!)


Mel

 

[Gavin Hunter]

Would Axolotls become worthles or priceless if they became ICUN red listed? Shipping internationally would be virtually stopped. Gavin

 

[michael]

Would Axolotls become worthles or priceless if they became ICUN red listed? Shipping internationally would be virtually stopped. Gavin

I don't think the red list makes much difference. They are listed as critically endangered on the red list. The main reason you don't see them exported and imported is because of the expense involved. Ambystoma mexicanum are CITESII and need CITES papers. Axolotls are relatively inexpensive and not many are willing to spend the money on importing and exporting them.