Introducing Axies

[Asteck]

I have an axolotl that is almost a year old (12 inches) and another who is about 6 months old (9 inches). They live in the same tank and but separated. They often look at each other and have no problems. I finally thought that the smaller one was now big enough to introduce to the larger one. Everything went well for about 5 minutes. Then the little one started to push the larger one around the entire tank. Running him into things and such.There was no biting or anything else, just the little one pushing the bigger one around. I separated them again fearing for his safety.

I am still not sure about the gender of the littler one, if that matters.

My question is did I just freak out about normal axie behavior or was this aggression? What can I do so they can live together without being separated.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Try again and video it, sounds like odd behavior to me. Was likely a one off. That size difference shouldn't be a problem considering how big they are now

 

[auntiejude]

Sounds like your smaller one is a frisky male! It doesn't matter whether the big one is male or female, frisky males will chase any other axie.
As long as there is no biting they'll be fine.

 

[Asteck]

Try again and video it, sounds like odd behavior to me. Was likely a one off. That size difference shouldn't be a problem considering how big they are now

I absolutely will tomorrow. It was was just so strange! I wasn't expecting that kind of behavior!

 

[Asteck]

Sounds like your smaller one is a frisky male! It doesn't matter whether the big one is male or female, frisky males will chase any other axie.
As long as there is no biting they'll be fine.

There was no biting! But will try again tomorrow and if the same behavior happens I will video it just to make sure. I am torn I was hoping it was a girl so I could have little axolotls! But two males much less work!

 

[Asteck]

Sounds like your smaller one is a frisky male! It doesn't matter whether the big one is male or female, frisky males will chase any other axie.
As long as there is no biting they'll be fine.

My video will not upload, but the big one was the one who chased the little one around and there is now a spermatophore on the bottom of the tank.

Little less concerned now that it is not just one sided.

 

[AxolotlChris]

You have to upload to Youtube then share the link. Don't think you can upload videos via the forum

 

[Donna001]

I have had some amazing antics in my mature axolotl tank since Easter. Last weekend all 3 mature males spent an hour or so nudging, pushing each other around, and occasionally get right underneath each other and nudging each other right up into open water. Even though I'd dealt with overnight spermatophores and knew they were all male, I'd never seen them actually "at it", so to speak, and it was quite disturbing how physical it was. This was first thing in the morning, so after I finished my coffee I distracted them with some earthworms and things calmed down.
Nothing like a good breakfast after an hour nudging your mates, apparently. :wink: