Photo: Male or female?

[Kerry1968]

Hello, I was told my axolotls were born in February, but I have a feeling they may be older. They both have dark claws now and there is a noticeable difference in their cloacal (?) region. I'm assuming this means I have a male and a female, though I have seen other photos of males where their cloaca is more enlarged than my axies. I have only noticed the difference between them in the last couple of weeks, so perhaps the male is still maturing?
I would value your opinions on this.
I'm excited at the thought of having a male and a female, but also a little scared of the responsibility of baby axies!
If they are only 6 months old (as I was told they are) I assume it would be better to separate them as this would be too young for the female to lay eggs wouldn't it? I have a four foot tank, would it be ok to put a divider in? A mesh divider would be best so that I get the same water circulation from the pump, or I would have to have a separate filter/pump each side?
Sorry for so many questions.........anyway, here are the pictures........

The first picture (far left) is Lottie (the female), next is Lexi (the male), third Lottie again, fourth one is Lottie in front, Lexi in the back and finally I think the last one is Lexi, but I'm not sure!!

Thank you, Kerry.

 

[oceanblue]

Even with pictures sexing axolotls is not always easy but it looks like you are right. I guess photo one is probably female and photo two male.

How large were they when you got them and now? Seven months to maturity is very fast. Is it possible the seller meant February 2007 and your Axies are 19 months old? Mine are approaching maturity and they are early April 2007 spawning late April hatching.

I haven't any experience of dividers but guess that if there is reasonable water interchange between the halves then one filter will be enough. You may be able to arrange the filter output is into the other half to the intake so unless the edge gap is very tight water circulates through both halves.

 

[Kaysie]

I agree, looks like you're spot on.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I use a divider in my tank and the water flow through the non filter side is not good. I ended up enlarging the holes but this had little effect. I tend to 'hoover ' the non filter side twice a week to remove debris. A second smaller filter may have worked but the power supply was a little lacking near the tank.,

 

[Kerry1968]

Thanks guys (or gals!) So looks like I'll be a mummy again! How exciting! I've been reading about rearing axolotl larvae, I'll have to be ready sooner than I thought! (As I thought I had two females and was looking to get a male in another 6 months or so when mine were more mature)

Oceanblue......you may be right about them being over a year old. I always had my suspicions because they haven't grown much since I got them and I noticed others with axolotls supposedly the same age were a lot smaller/younger looking. ( I noticed in a recent thread Terri said her two were born in February and I got mine a couple of weeks before her tiny babies arrived and mine were already about 5" long!) The lady I bought them from told me they were born this year though.
Well whatever age they are, it looks like they're getting to the age where they might breed!
So thank you again for your help, just one more quick question..........
Should I leave the pair of them together and let nature take it's course (and be prepared to deal with the consequences) or do you think they might still be too young to be parents? (By the way, if it makes any difference, they are both about 8" long) Kerry.

 

[gr33neyes]

Definately sounds as if they are older then you think. My 2 females are a year old and almost 10" long so yours aren't too far off that.
If I were you I think I would separate them for now and gather all the equipment you are going to need to breed them. You will need a supply of live food for the babies so source that and if you are planning on selling some then you need to find new keepers/pet store/fish store willing to buy them.

I think it would be better to do it that way rather then suddenly get a tank full of eggs and panic follows.......Good luck.