Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

Sexing axolotls

Donna001

Active member
Joined
Mar 9, 2016
Messages
1,041
Reaction score
12
Location
Cambridge, England
I recently had to split my older axolotls into 3 separate tanks as they were maturing. I know that males have a larger bulge than females, but I just wanted to post some pictures and get some opinions before I decide which ones can go back into a tank together.
I have attached 2 pictures of one of my leucistics, which I think is male.
I have attached 2 pictures of my wild type, who looks different every time I look.
I also have another leucistic, but I'm struggling to get a picture of that one. Will post when I can.
All are less than a year old, so I really don't want any unexpected breeding happening.
Appreciate your help & opinions.
Cheers.
:happy:
 

Attachments

  • 2016-03-29 09.54.31.jpg
    2016-03-29 09.54.31.jpg
    114.5 KB · Views: 2,410
  • 2016-03-29 09.54.12.jpg
    2016-03-29 09.54.12.jpg
    131 KB · Views: 1,766
  • 2016-03-29 09.42.54.jpg
    2016-03-29 09.42.54.jpg
    147.3 KB · Views: 727
  • 2016-03-29 09.45.19.jpg
    2016-03-29 09.45.19.jpg
    145.8 KB · Views: 751
I got some pictures of my other leucistic.
I figured that this one was male because if I could see a bulge from above, at the top of the tan, then it must be quite prominent. I also got a picture through the hide.
 

Attachments

  • 2016-03-29 20.29.50.jpg
    2016-03-29 20.29.50.jpg
    125.8 KB · Views: 628
  • 2016-03-29 20.30.28.jpg
    2016-03-29 20.30.28.jpg
    29.4 KB · Views: 962
Both of the leucistics look male to me and the wild looks male but I'd hold off on that cause it is a little less full looking in the second pictures. Tricky little wild one.
 
Hi Sully,

Many thanks for your help. I thought that they were all males, but they are all still in separate tanks at the moment. Your pictures are very useful, I didn't quite realise how small the female cloacal region would be, even though I looked at the pictures on this link:- Axolotls - Biology
Your pictures make the difference more obvious. :D
I think the wild type is male as he was the only one with an obvious bulge when I got them last month. I thought he was the one who left me a collection of surprise packages all over the tank substrate a couple of weeks ago, which may be why his bulge isn't as obvious as normal now.
I'm going to keep them apart for a little longer as I'm considering the purchase of a bigger tank soon. Even though their first one was suitable for 3 adults, I've recently moved some tanks and have now found a place for a tank that would be more than large enough for at least 6 adults, just in case my other 3 juveniles all turn out to be males. :happy:

Again, thanks for your help. I was worried about mixing sexes as I don't really want to breed any of my axolotls.
 
Lucky you getting all males. Would have made life a lot easier had both of mine been males.
 
That's why they were put into separate tanks until they all matured. I still have another tank with another 3 juveniles, but I don't expect them to mature for another 6 months. As it gets closer to the time they will be separated as well, until I know what will be safe to do.
:happy:
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Top