Question: Axolotl spawn triggers

[DAYDREAMER509]

I need help figuring out the best way to trigger my axolotls spawn, iv heard so many things, like cooling down there water, changing the light schedule, fridging the girls, separating the genders, im curious what has worked for fellow breeders out there? any advice would be greatly greatly appreciated.

 

[auntiejude]

My best advice on breeding is - Don't.
Supply of axolotls at the moment is far above demand, and breeders are being left with lots of babies they can't shift. Unless you have some in-demand colours or already have homes lined up.

Make sure you are prepared for the work involved in raising larvae - lots of tubs, daily water changes, having to cull sickly larvae, die offs, BBS hatcheries etc.

Females are harder to persuade to breed than males - they produce eggs in response to light intervals, food availability, temparature etc. If you can identify a gravid female you can put her with a suitable male and cool the tank slightly - that will prime the male for courting behaviour and spermatophore production.

Other than that keep a mixed tank and hope for the best in Autumn and Spring.

 

[DAYDREAMER509]

thanx for your thoughts, I do have some homes lined up and I also breed reptiles for a living so I think Im prepared, here were I live axolotls are a bit rare so im not to worried, if I can raise and find homes for over 60 bearded dragons I think axolotls wont be an issue, im prepaired to ship if I have to, the colors I have are, wild, melanoid, albino, lucistic, gold, and gfps, iv been doing my research for over a year with these guys and I have fully thought it through.

 

[xxianxx]

Firstly you have to make sure the female is gravid, increase her feeding till she is porky. Females producing eggs will eat more than gravid ones, just feed her till she doesn't eat any more. Once she is gravid a drop in temp and regular water changes should trigger breeding. Just a couple of degrees change for up to a couple of weeks should suffice, don't worry about lighting levels etc if she is ready a temp drop will do the job.

 

[michael]

In captivity axolotls normally breed fall, winter , and spring. They sometimes breed over the summer. Axolotl eggs laid when it is hot out tend to be less viable. This happens even if they are in a temperature controlled facility. I've seen the charts at a major research facility.