axolotls gender?

[the]

hello, I hope you have all had a nice day.

I go my axolotl yesterday from a hording situation so it has stunted growth and a few deformities. The previous owner said that it was going to be 3 years old in January and I forgot to ask its gender. There are no other axolotls in the tank so there won't be any problems about the gender either way. if you could tell me its gender please that would be wonderful. please let me know me if you need any more photos.

Many thanks, Katie.

 

[WaterLily05]

I would say it is a male. Good for you for getting him out of a hoarding situation! He is a beautiful.

 

[the]

I would say it is a male. Good for you for getting him out of a hoarding situation! He is a beautiful.

does he look an all right size to you, i cant decide.

 

[the]

does he look an all right size to you, i cant decide.

and how much should i be feeding him he is only around 17cm

 

[Dr. Phil]

I concur - that's a male. As for how much to feed him, I believe the general rule is that their bellies should be no wider than their heads. Try him with a couple of worms every other day and see how hungry he is.

 

[the]

thanks for your help

 

[WaterLily05]

and how much should i be feeding him he is only around 17cm

I believe 17 cm is around 6 inches, which is very small for a full grown axoltol. I would feed him an earthworm or red wriggler every 3 or so days, and offer a couple pellets on one of the in between days.

 

[Dr. Phil]

I believe 17 cm is around 6 inches, which is very small for a full grown axoltol. I would feed him an earthworm or red wriggler every 3 or so days, and offer a couple pellets on one of the in between days.

Having kept a large colony of 'red wigglers' (Eisenia fetida) going for the last 12 years, I just want to clarify something. 'Earthworms' is a very general term. There are 100's of species of worms. They all live in the soil (earth). Some, like red wigglers, live very close to the surface, under moist, rotting organic material. These tend to be fairly small, as 'earthworms' go. They are the most commonly used species in vermiculture and vermicomposting and probably the easiest to culture. They are not to be confused with 'nightcrawlers' - which can get very large and which no one has succeeded in culturing, yet. I don't mean to disagree with you, WaterLily05, especially since we both are Virginians and also that I am a newbie here. My suggestion was simply to feed this fellow as much as he will eat until he achieves 'ideal' proportions. Like people, each axolotl is unique due to heredity and environment. As long as he is healthy and active, I say feed him as much as he wants to eat...until he looks llike he is 'pleasantly plump'. Cheers!

 

[WaterLily05]

Having kept a large colony of 'red wigglers' (Eisenia fetida) going for the last 12 years, I just want to clarify something. 'Earthworms' is a very general term. There are 100's of species of worms. They all live in the soil (earth). Some, like red wigglers, live very close to the surface, under moist, rotting organic material. These tend to be fairly small, as 'earthworms' go. They are the most commonly used species in vermiculture and vermicomposting and probably the easiest to culture. They are not to be confused with 'nightcrawlers' - which can get very large and which no one has succeeded in culturing, yet. I don't mean to disagree with you, WaterLily05, especially since we both are Virginians and also that I am a newbie here. My suggestion was simply to feed this fellow as much as he will eat until he achieves 'ideal' proportions. Like people, each axolotl is unique due to heredity and environment. As long as he is healthy and active, I say feed him as much as he wants to eat...until he looks llike he is 'pleasantly plump'. Cheers!

I agree with this. Get him nice and healthy weight. After that a consistent feeding schedule would do him some good. Nice to meet another member from Va! I am relatively new here too. I guess I post enough to be considered an "active member" lol.