Do Axolotls Lay Eggs - Fascinating Facts About Axolotl Breeding!

Axolotls stand out from other reptiles because of their numerous distinctive characteristics.

So much so that it’s only natural to wonder about the species’ traits, behaviors, and biological processes, which they share with other amphibians and even humans. One very fascinating aspect is how they reproduce; do axolotls lay eggs?

Many individuals, however, are still unsure of how axolotls mate. But as soon as you put one male and one female together in a tank, expect to see results.

We’ll delve deeper into the Axolotl’s reproduction feature in this post, so keep reading.

Do Axolotls Lay Eggs? (The Short Answer)

Yes, axolotls do produce eggs after mating. An axolotl lays approximately 1000-1500 eggs at a time. And they lay eggs only after mating with a male, which occurs naturally when water temperature and lighting change. When axolotls mate, they will typically lay their eggs within 12 to 72 hours of the period.

When Do Axolotls Start Laying Eggs?

In reaction to environmental changes (water temperature and day length), axolotls begin laying eggs after they achieve sexual maturity.

All of this assumes, of course, that a male and a female decide to breed. So now, let’s take a deeper look at each of the following factors in more detail:

Age

To reproduce, an axolotl must be of sufficient age. Sexual maturity can occur as early as six months, although it can also take longer. Having a healthy diet and living in ideal settings are necessary for an individual to reach sexual maturity.

However, female axolotls should be avoided from breeding when they are still young. This will help them develop properly and avoid any stress while still young, which could hurt their health and long life.

According to most guidelines, a female axolotl should not be bred until at least 18 months old or of suitable size (at least 7 inches in length).

Males, on the other hand, have no such restrictions. Since they have reached sexual maturity, it is safe for them to mate. Moreover, according to the literature, younger male axolotls can be bred if desired.

Season

Axolotls can reproduce if the conditions are right. Therefore, they will breed during seasonal shifts in water temperature and daylight duration.

This is most common in the late winter and early spring in the wild. A change in water temperature, whether planned or not, can lead to breeding in captivity.

The ideal temperature for their breeding is between 54 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit (12-14 degrees Celsius). So starting at a lower temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit than the standard aquarium temperature is usually sufficient.

In the wild, light changes will occur on their own. However, if the axolotls are housed in a room with a window, they are more likely to experience shifts in lighting conditions. Installing artificial illumination is an option but not a great one.

Know More About Axolotls:

How Many Eggs Do Axolotls Lay At Once?

Depending on the situation, the number of eggs might range from 100 to 200. But sometimes, it may be impossible to count the number of eggs. For example, if the breeding is more vigorous, as many as 1000 eggs can be laid at once.

They can lay eggs for several hours or even days at once, depending on the type of Axolotl. An egg-laying process that can span for days or even weeks.

The best time of year to breed axolotls is between December and June. However, they can produce at any time of year, but most eggs are laid during this period.

How Often Do Axolotls Lay Eggs?

Axolotls lay their eggs numerous times per year, with December to June being the most productive breeding season. And egg production is more likely to occur throughout the spring and early summer months.

If the conditions are appropriate, Axolotls can mate and have offspring at any time of year. In the presence of a male Axolotl, females can lay eggs nearly continually, but this should not be encouraged.

An axolotl’s physiology and metabolism are put under considerable strain during egg production. This is because reproduction takes precedence over all other physical functions, including growth and healthiness.

For this reason, axolotls should be provided ample rest and recuperation between breeding cycles. In addition, the female can create fresh eggs immediately after successfully laying her current clutch as an added bonus.

Can Axolotl Female Lay Eggs Without Male?

Without a male, the female Axolotl can’t produce eggs. The fact that a female Axolotl can do so is a rare occurrence, not the rule. But there will only ever be a small amount, and they won’t be fertilized either.

When the axolotls are entirely matured, it’s best to breed them due to the large number of eggs they can produce. A female axolotl can lay up to 1000 eggs or more in a single reproductive cycle, which is no doubt taxing on their body.

If the female is still too little and immature, her metabolism will be taxed, and she will be unable to handle the physical strain. As a result, breeding them at such an early stage is not advised.

How Do Axolotls Mate For Reproductive Purposes?

Males are where it all begins. It is common for him to gently nudge the female with his nose to signal that he is ready for mating. Then, when she is prepared and eager, the male will begin by putting himself in front of her and leading her around. The term ‘courtship’ is used to describe this relationship stage.

The guy will deposit his sperm (spermatophore) as he advances. After that, the female Axolotl will be led over them and collect them in her cloaca.

The male spermatophore will be laid down for several hours, and the female will take up numerous deposits. After then, the eggs will hatch in a day or two, or even several days.

The eggs can be spawned without a male Axolotl, however. Since a separate breeding tank is necessary once the eggs are hatched, it makes sense to have one in place.

As a result, we can conclude that axolotl reproduction is an active and intentional process.

How Long Does It Take For Axolotl Eggs To Hatch?

Depending on where the eggs are placed and how large they are, it will take a few weeks for the axolotl eggs to hatch. On average, eggs usually hatch 2 to 3 weeks after being laid.

If the eggs are positioned on the plants and the water parameters are at the correct levels, the procedure will be slightly faster. However, if the eggs aren’t well fertile, it can take up to a month for them to hatch.

It is faster to hatch eggs that are more fertile than those that are not. Another factor to think about is the water condition. For example, the flow should not be too rapid, and the temperature should be optimum (around 20 degrees Celsius).

Where Do Axolotls Lay Eggs?

If there is any vegetation accessible to axolotls, they will lay their eggs in it. And Axolotls in the wild have no problem locating these types of habitats.

However, it is highly recommended to supply plants and other aquarium décors while kept in captivity or if they are being actively bred. You should keep some plants in your tank. Ensure that your Axolotl’s eggs are deposited on the plant’s leaves where they would be most visible.

In this case, the eggs will hatch faster because they will be able to obtain more oxygen, and the gas exchanges will be more efficient because they are attached to a plant.

If you don’t have any plants in your aquarium, you’ll likely find these eggs all over the place. You can find it in the aquarium’s substrate or even at the tank’s bottom. The most typical place to find them is on a rock or a flat surface in your tank if you have one.

My Axolotl Gave Birth To Babies. What Now?

Remove the eggs from your Axolotl and place them in a separate container if they’re laying. Otherwise, the eggs will likely end up in the parent’s stomach as breakfast. The females can take up to 72 hours to lay their complete clutch, so make sure that the female is done laying.

The container into which you transfer the eggs must be kept in a secure location, and the water temperature must be taken into account. At the same time, a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) will aid in the hatching process.

Think about the container size you’re putting the eggs in as well. Axolotls require a lot of areas; thus, the enclosure should be large enough to accommodate them. For example, a 10-gallon tank may hold up to 100 axolotl hatchlings, but this is not recommended or preferred. So instead, this aquarium of this size would be ideal for 50 axolotl hatchlings.

Unless you opt to send the hatchlings away, they will need to be moved to a different tank as they mature.

Removal Of Axolotl Eggs From The Aquarium Tank?

It’s possible to perform the transfer with your hands. Just make sure you’ve thoroughly cleaned them before doing this so that you don’t introduce any chemicals to the aquarium that you didn’t intend to.

Beginners face the challenge of figuring out how to get rid of the eggs and remove them from the nest when transferring them to another location. Fortunately, these eggs are relatively hardy, so you may simply place or remove them with your own hands without any difficulty.

You can also replace or remove them with your fingernails because they stick to the surface. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to hover over them. To avoid a glut of newly-hatched axolotls, sometimes it makes sense to get rid of them. Relocate them in a safe tank or get rid of them.

Due to their toughness, axolotl eggs are unlikely to shatter during transport. Nonetheless, caution should still be taken. It makes more sense to transfer the plant with the connected eggs if they are still attached.

What Do Axolotl Eggs Look Like?

Small and dark brown in hue, an axolotl egg is typical. Albino axolotl eggs, on the other hand, will be white and lack any color.

In as little as 12 hours, a fertilized egg will become an embryo, beginning to take shape. As the eggs grow, it’s not uncommon to observe little puffs of puffy air around them.

How To Tell If Axolotl Eggs Are Fertilized?

It is conceivable for a Melanoid axolotl to produce black eggs and an albino axolotl to produce white eggs. As a result, it’s possible to tell if the eggs have been fertilized or not. In addition, the fertilized axolotl egg will swell in size as it prepares to hatch in a week or two.

Wrapping Up

Although getting a pair of axolotls to reproduce is an effortless operation, not everyone is cut out for it when it comes to axolotl breeding. It may have never crossed the minds of some owners. Or it’s just not something they’d ever consider.

If you don’t know anything about axolotls, you shouldn’t try to breed them.

While this may be the case for some, for others, combining a male and female with ideal water temperature and lighting will work. And you should obtain eggs from there – a lot of them!

Do Axolotls Lay Eggs – Fascinating Facts About Axolotl Breeding!