Breeding
Basics
Axolotls can reach sexual maturity anywhere between 5 months and several years, depending on frequency and quality of food, the water temperature and the conditions in which the animals are kept.
Axolotls generally begin to mature once they have reached about 18 cm (7 inches) in total length. Females tend to take a little longer to mature than males (usually a difference of a month or two). The has a great deal of information about sexing axolotls and their sexual maturity.
It is suggested that you don't attempt to breed axolotls until they reach at least 18 months of age. This gives them time to reach their full size (greater than 30 cm or 12 inches in many cases) and condition (a female ready to breed will be very round towards the end of the body when viewed from above). In my opinion it is safe to breed males at an earlier stage than females, because they have much less physical output during the mating process than females, and therefore there is less strain on their bodies. However, females should be prevented from breeding until they reach their full size.
There is a very good reason for not breeding your female axolotls too early. A female axolotl can lay in excess of 1000 eggs. Producing so many eggs is a strain on the animal's body, and the body prioritises production of eggs over body growth while the animal is in conditions suitable for breeding. Since females may breed several times each year, as soon as the first batch of eggs are laid, the body attempts to produce new eggs to replace those that have been laid. Female axolotls may fall ill at this point unless care is taken, and for a female that is still growing in length, the strain is increased. For the same reason, females that have recently bred should be kept away from males for at least a month in order for them to recover. Just because an axolotl breeds, it doesn't mean it is in overall good health.
Axolotls generally begin to mature once they have reached about 18 cm (7 inches) in total length. Females tend to take a little longer to mature than males (usually a difference of a month or two). The has a great deal of information about sexing axolotls and their sexual maturity.
It is suggested that you don't attempt to breed axolotls until they reach at least 18 months of age. This gives them time to reach their full size (greater than 30 cm or 12 inches in many cases) and condition (a female ready to breed will be very round towards the end of the body when viewed from above). In my opinion it is safe to breed males at an earlier stage than females, because they have much less physical output during the mating process than females, and therefore there is less strain on their bodies. However, females should be prevented from breeding until they reach their full size.
There is a very good reason for not breeding your female axolotls too early. A female axolotl can lay in excess of 1000 eggs. Producing so many eggs is a strain on the animal's body, and the body prioritises production of eggs over body growth while the animal is in conditions suitable for breeding. Since females may breed several times each year, as soon as the first batch of eggs are laid, the body attempts to produce new eggs to replace those that have been laid. Female axolotls may fall ill at this point unless care is taken, and for a female that is still growing in length, the strain is increased. For the same reason, females that have recently bred should be kept away from males for at least a month in order for them to recover. Just because an axolotl breeds, it doesn't mean it is in overall good health.
Methods
Most sources state that the breeding season for axolotls is December to June. However, they can be bred at any time of the year, although most success is said to be in the early part of the year.
A pair of axolotls kept in good conditions should breed at least once a year, mostly unpredictably. Axolotls may spawn for no obvious reason, at "odd" times of the year, as some have done in the past. Axolotls may surprise you.
A pair of axolotls kept in good conditions should breed at least once a year, mostly unpredictably. Axolotls may spawn for no obvious reason, at "odd" times of the year, as some have done in the past. Axolotls may surprise you.
Spawning
Spawning is started by the male, who swims around, raising his tail and making vigorous squirming motions. The male nudges the female's vent occasionally and then leads her around the tank. The male deposits between 5 and 25 of spermatophore (a packet of sperm attached to the top of a jelly 'cone') around the tank and attempts to lead the female over them. She picks up the sperm cap (from one or more spermatophores) in her cloaca - fertilisation takes place internally. She may also nudge the male's vent, and this can lead to a prolonged "dance" around the tank.
Between a few hours and two days later, she commences spawning, laying each egg individually. She will lay them on the leaves of plants, if available, but if not, she will place them about the tank, attaching them to rocks, pipes and any other object available. There may be between 100 and over a thousand eggs laid in one spawning, depending on the size of the female and if she is in good condition at spawning. After the female has finished laying, it's best to remove her and the male.
Between a few hours and two days later, she commences spawning, laying each egg individually. She will lay them on the leaves of plants, if available, but if not, she will place them about the tank, attaching them to rocks, pipes and any other object available. There may be between 100 and over a thousand eggs laid in one spawning, depending on the size of the female and if she is in good condition at spawning. After the female has finished laying, it's best to remove her and the male.
image of a spermatophore.