Can an axolotl change its gender?

[stephen]

I have been told by the people at the pet shop that axolotls can change their gender. Is this true?

 

[jay]

No it isn't. they can't change gender

 

[stephen]

I am not listening to what the people at the pet shop say anymore because this is the third thing they have said that is not true.

 

[rebecca]

ive found (most) people in pet shops know next to nothing about axolotls and i have neded up having to tell them how to look after their ones better!

 

[stephen]

I think they sold at least know how to look after them but some places I have been to had no idea.

 

[rebecca]

sadly sometimes its only about money so some places know nothing about the animals they are selling

 

[kapo]

They probably said it changed gender as they may have sexed them too early, then few months down the line well after a new owner has bought them the "female" turned out to be a "male" or vice versa. This is common (as I have found) as you may not find out an axolotls gender until it reaches its 18th month. Some of ours matured early 9-10months, very visible; while at least one of ours whom I thought was female was male - only spotted as he was quite happily laying his spermataphore all over the tank and trying to lead the ladies round! His cloaca is quite small compared to our other males; but is now noticeably larger than it was a few months back.

I also take what petshops say with a pinch of salt and discard it over my shoulder!

 

[amber]

It can be pretty hard to tell anyway.
I'm still not sure about my Spyyk, who's at least 18mnths old. Methinks it's a well endowed female, as she has quite a flat head compared to my 100% male Benny.
But Ben has a surprisingly small cloaca...