Axolotls are cute little water pets. I had never seen one before, but I found that they actually breed in a pretty cool way. In the wild, their breeding season usually occurs in late winter or early spring, when the water gets colder and the days get longer.
However, in the tank at home, it’s totally different. You can sort of trick them into breeding by changing the water temperature and light. Whether you’re a first-time axolotl owner or just curious, knowing the difference between wild and tank breeding really helps you care for them the right way.
If you want to breed axolotls, then you should know the basics of axolotl breeding and also understand its method. In this article, we’ll learn everything about axolotl breeding in a simple and complete way.
Sometimes, Axolotls accidentally breed in tanks, which is why it’s useful to learn How to Raise Axolotl Eggs even if you didn’t plan for it.
When is Axolotl Breeding Season?
I remember wondering when my axolotls would start breeding, and after doing some reading and testing things myself, I figured it out. In the wild, axolotls usually breed during late winter to early spring, when the water naturally gets colder and there’s more daylight.
But in a home tank, things are different. You can actually make them think it’s breeding time just by changing the water temperature and lighting. Like, when I slightly lowered the water temp and gave them more light each day, my pair started showing signs of mating.
It’s kind of cool how they react to small changes. So if you’re keeping axolotls at home, just know that with the right setup, they can breed any time of year.
How to Know If Your Axolotls Are Ready to Breed
When my axolotls were getting ready to breed, I started noticing a few little changes that were kind of interesting. The male began dropping these tiny jelly-like things on the tank floor—those are called spermatophores, and it’s his way of saying, “Hey, I’m ready!” The female got a bit more active than usual and seemed super curious, swimming around more.
I also saw both of them doing this cute tail fanning thing and gently nudging each other, almost like they were flirting. Sometimes they would follow each other around the tank too. One thing I noticed was that their appetite changed a bit during this time—sometimes they ate more, sometimes less.
So if you see these signs, your axolotls are probably in the mood to start a family!
Setting Up the Breeding Environment
When I wanted my axolotls to breed, I set up a special tank just for them, instead of using the main one. It helped keep things calm and clean. I kept the water temperature around 16 to 18°C, which is what they like for breeding.
I also made sure the tank had soft lighting—not too bright—and added a few hiding spots using plants and caves so they could feel safe. Keeping the water clean was super important too, because any stress can stop them from breeding.
Once everything felt peaceful and comfy, they both started showing signs they were ready. A stress-free space really makes a big difference!
Breeding Process – In Short
When I first learned how to breed axolotls, I was really surprised at how simple yet interesting the whole thing is. The male axolotl starts with a little dance, which is called courting behavior, and then he lays spermatophores—tiny white sperm packets on the tank floor.
After that, the female picks up the sperm packets with her underside while swimming over them. In just 24 to 72 hours, she starts laying eggs. I remember counting them once, and there were so many! That’s when I found out how many eggs do axolotls lay—it can be anywhere from 100 to 1000+ eggs in one go, which is honestly wild for such a chill-looking creature.
Common Challenges During Breeding Season
When I tried breeding my axolotls for the first time, I thought it would go smoothly, but I quickly realized there are a few tricky parts. Sometimes they show signs of mating, like chasing and nudging, but they don’t actually mate.
And once, when my female laid eggs, I noticed some turning white and fuzzy—that was egg fungus, which can spread fast if not removed. Another thing I didn’t expect was how stressed the parents can get during the process, especially the female, and sometimes they even act a bit aggressive toward each other.
Also, some of the eggs never grew into babies because they were unfertilized, which honestly felt a little disappointing at first..
FAQS
How many times a year do axolotls breed?
I remember reading about how axolotls behave during the breeding season, and it really surprised me. In the wild, they usually breed once a year, most commonly between March and June. They reach reproductive maturity after their first year of life, which means they’re ready to breed only after going through a full cycle of life. When they do mate, the female lays around 100 to 300 eggs, and the young hatch in about 10 to 14 days. It’s a slow but beautiful process, and watching it unfold makes you really appreciate how nature works in its own time.
Are axolotls easy to breed?
Many people think axolotls are fun pets, and yes, they can easily breed and produce hundreds of eggs, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. I’ve seen how challenging it is to raise the tiny hatchlings—not all of them find good homes, and most won’t lead good lives in captivity, especially when they’re sold as impulse buys. It’s also common for multiple axolotls from the same clutch to end up together, which means siblings could end up breeding with each other, and that’s not ideal. So while they may seem easy to breed, there’s a lot more to think about behind the scenes.
Do axolotls have a breeding season?
Most sources say the breeding season for axolotls starts around December and lasts until June, which is when they naturally feel ready to mate. But from what I’ve learned and seen in some home setups, axolotls can actually be bred at any time of the year if the tank conditions are right. Still, the most success is often reported in the early part of the year, probably because it matches their natural cycle better.
How do I know if my axolotls are mating?
During breeding season, male axolotls leave sperm cones around the tank, and the female has to pick one up with her underside. You’ll know the male is trying to mate when he starts to chase the female and rub her underside gently.
