Question: Is this a Dwarf Axolotl??

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ahughes052806

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Hey guys!!!

So, I have 3 axolotls out of a clutch of eggs that I bought that just refuse to grow.
The smallest of these is the one that I think is a "dwarf"
This axie is from the same clutch as the 6&7 inch ones that I just sold,
but he's only about 1 1/2 inches long and refuses to grow.
He eats well, as long as I find something to fit in his little mouth.
I am worried about him, because he floats at the top of the water a lot,
but other than that, seems to be perfectly healthy.
I have read other threads about "dwarf" axolotls not living more than a few months, but this guy was born in February and is 8 months old now.

Anyone have any input??
 

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Sounds like a dwarf to me, honestly. Axolotl growth is dependent mainly on how much food they eat, especially as babies, but there are some axolotls that just won't grow regardless of how much they eat. It's a sort of genetic disorder, kind of like short toe syndrome, but not always fatal. I do know that dwarf axolotls won't live as long as other normal axolotls, but it's not uncommon for them to live to be a few years old.
 
Thank you so much for asking this question, I have one just like this and had no idea what was going on.
 
Dwarf axies have an average lifespan of 10 years. That said I don't think this lil guy is a dwarf but I couldn't tell you what his issue is. Dwarf axies grow to around 6 inches at their final size and they generally reach that length within the first year. Their bodies look smooshed if that makes sense? I have a dwarf axie and he doesn't look like the one in your pics. It's obviously a genetic issue tho. Howie doesn't float either, not at the top of the tank anyways. Unless he is constipated which is common in the dwarfs, it usually passes as soon as he eats but during that time his back end will float upwards at the bottom of the tank. My friend had one from the same clutch as my Howie, he had short toe syndrome and was only about 2 inches when he passed but yours has fully developed limbs which is not seen in those with short toe syndrome. Hopefully someone else will have more insight for you because I'm completely stumped as to why he is not growing.

My dwarf axolotl Howie
 

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Here are two more pics that shows his size and proportions a little better.
 

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I thought Howie's condition was something different from dwarfism? Or well, it seemed that people were going between dwarfism and something else on the thread you posted about him.
 
Nope, it was concluded in that thread it was dwarfism, I also did a ton of research on dwarfism in axolotls which further convinced me. He's def a dwarf! A cute one at that! :)
 
lovesheraxies said:
Nope, it was concluded in that thread it was dwarfism, I also did a ton of research on dwarfism in axolotls which further convinced me. He's def a dwarf! A cute one at that! :)
Click to expand...

Hm, so I wonder what's up with the one in this thread, then. Maybe a nutritional disorder?
 
Yeah, it's quite interesting to say the least, I plan to research the net a bit later today and see what I can come up with. It's probably some weird gene issue. I know Axies are known for staying in their larval state but it seems like this lil guy took the term quite literally! Had she not said that they were all from the same clutch I would have guessed this was a new babe.

P.s. Howie is def a boy, the other day he proudly displayed his new unmistakable jewels to me before hiding behind his plant. Silly lotl.
 
It could still be a dwarf. You would think that since it's a genetic problem that there wouldn't be a set "standard look" for them. But again, I'm not sure at this point. Off to searching!
 
To me it just looks like a small axolotl - it's normal shape, you've said it doesn't appear sick, so I reckon it's just a little one - the same way that some people get to over 6 feet tall and some never make it to 5.

If it were a genetic abnormality there should be other obvious signs - like shape, formation of limbs/organs/toes etc, or possibly behaviour.
 
Thank all of you guys for the responses!!!
I've been hesitant to sell these last 3 because of their stunted growth, I didn't want to risk selling something that might die soon. These guys were born the week of Feb. 17th and have actually been pretty healthy, other than their growth. I've fed them a mixture of brine shrimp, earthworms, red wiggler worms, guppies, and salmon pellets so I do know that their nutrition levels should be great.

Any more/other help to try and figure out whats going on with these guys is greatly appreciated!!!
 
ahughes052806 said:
Thank all of you guys for the responses!!!
I've been hesitant to sell these last 3 because of their stunted growth, I didn't want to risk selling something that might die soon. These guys were born the week of Feb. 17th and have actually been pretty healthy, other than their growth. I've fed them a mixture of brine shrimp, earthworms, red wiggler worms, guppies, and salmon pellets so I do know that their nutrition levels should be great.

Any more/other help to try and figure out whats going on with these guys is greatly appreciated!!!
Click to expand...

Well, since it's been established that these are not dwarf axolotls, I assume it's something more to do with a problem relating to how they process and take in nutrients. I'm not sure how this will effect their lifespans, so rather than gamble on it, you might as well just keep them and care for them yourself, rather than selling them to someone with the risk they won't live past a couple years. It sounds like you've been taking wonderful care of them so far, and that's really all you can do in cases like this.
 
Everyone seems to like Dwarfs. Are they encouraged to be breed as a stock line?
I have two that I would love to commit to propagating.
Trace
 
willowcat said:
Everyone seems to like Dwarfs. Are they encouraged to be breed as a stock line?
I have two that I would love to commit to propagating.
Trace
Click to expand...

Breeding dwarfs isn't really encouraged. Being that dwarfism is a genetic defect, it could cause some very serious repercussions, such as short toe syndrome. Little Howie is lucky enough that it seems dwarfism is his only problem, but you may not be so lucky with any offspring you create from other dwarfs.
 
The breeder I bought mine from (also a friend) she had many eggs and even tho they were born the same time, but some were literally half the size at others throughout them growing. Some are still very small compared to others.
 
It´s one thing to keep one of these dwarf axolotls as a pet if it happens to appear in a clutch....but i find it astonishing (although i really should know better) that people could find that to be a diserable phenotype to breed for...Why would anyone wish to inflict a deformity on an innocent animals just because it´s superficially perceived to be "cute" rather than an unfortunate developmental disorder that should be prevented whenever possible?
 
My friends dwarf is cute and such good personality, its nearly 2 years old now

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