How To Breed Axolotls: The Breeding Process Step-by-Step

Allah Rakha

Many people want to know how to breed axolotls because these small cute creatures make great pets. Some people even breed axolotls just for fun or for school science projects. When I started this hobby, I was just so excited to see baby axolotls swimming in my tank. 

In this guide, I will share my personal experience such as when the axolotl breeding season occurs, an easy way to set up the tank, and how to get healthy axolotls to lay eggs. 

I will also explain step by step how to raise axolotl eggs so that beginners can easily understand everything. This guide is perfect for anyone looking to start their axolotl family or simply wanting to learn more about these lovely pets.

How To Breed Axolotls ( The Complete Breeding Process Step-by-Step)

When it comes to breeding axolotls, the season and environment play a significant role. From my experience, most people try in December or June because the chances of getting eggs are bright during these months, but in reality, axolotls can breed at any time. 

I have also observed that the most eggs are found at the beginning of the year, and this was also mentioned by the Indiana University Axolotl Colony people. 

You just need to reduce the light time in the tank a bit, then gradually increase it this creates an environment very similar to nature. Just do this, leave the male and female in the same tank, and after a while, their courtship starts.

Some people, like Peter W. Scott, use another method known as ‘thermal shock’. In this, you keep both axolotls separately at 20–22 C (68–71 F) for a few weeks, and then you move them both to a tank where the water temperature is at least 5 C lower. 

Scott suggests 12–14 C (54–57 F). In my opinion, and also based on what I’ve heard from other breeders, this thermal shock method often excites the male axolotl, but the female must also be ready for it to work.

Mostly, axolotls breed best when there is natural light in the room and a little seasonal temperature change. If there is a window near the tank, the effect of natural day length is also received, which is very helpful. 

Placing the tank in a location where natural light comes in is indeed a good idea. Anyway, if you keep your pair healthy and in the right conditions, they will definitely breed at least once a year, and sometimes even spawn for no apparent reason, which can be a surprise!

Let’s explain the process of breeding axolotls step-by-step in a simple way for your convenience. Each step is important, so please read and follow carefully.

  • First, choose healthy male and female axolotls, both at least 18 months old and large in size. The male has a slight bump near the tail, while the female’s belly is somewhat round and broad.
  • Set up the breeding tank. Put some plastic plants and live Java Moss or Vesicularia dubyana in the tank, so that the female can find a safe place to stick her eggs. Spread rough and flat stones or slate on the bottom of the tank.
  • Keep the room temperature between 20-22 C or slightly cooler, and reduce the light time a little, then gradually increase it, just like it happens in nature.
  • Grind the malay and femal together into the braiding tank. Keep rome calm and there should be no disturbance.
  • The male will deposit spermatophores on rough stones, and the female will pick them up. After a few days, the female will stick the eggs onto the tank’s plants or stones.
  • As soon as the eggs are laid, if possible, gently shift the eggs to a separate container so that the adults do not eat them.
  • Keep the eggs in clean and stable water. Change the water a bit every day, but do not disturb the eggs.
  • Eggs hatch in 14-21 days. As soon as the babies come out, start feeding them live food, such as baby brine shrimp or daphnia.
  • Keep baby axolotls in separate small tubs so that they don’t eat each other. Change the water daily and take care of their feeding.
  •  When babies grow a bit older after a few weeks, they can be shifted to a bigger tank.

I follow these simple steps, and usually get the best results. Have a little patience, enjoy the process, and have fun watching the axolotl babies!

You can read the complete guide on how to raise axolotl eggs in this article: https://fishrealmhub.com/raise-axolotl-eggs/

Setting Up the Breeding Tank

Whenever I set up a breeding tank for my axolotl pair, the first thing I do is add plants, some plastic plants and a little live Java Moss or Vesicularia dubyana. 

The female axolotl needs a safe place to stick her eggs, and these plants are perfect for that, whether you have a melanoid albino or any other type. 

At the bottom of the tank, I place flat and rough stones or slate, as this is where the male axolotl deposits his spermatophores (small packets of sperm). I didn’t know before that these packets don’t stick to plain glass or plastic; a rough surface is the best. 

During breeding, I always try to keep the room quiet and ensure that the tank isn’t disturbed, so that the courtship or spawning isn’t interrupted. I have made many mistakes in the past, so now I follow this simple setup, and it really yields the best results.

How to Tell If Your Axolotls Are Ready

When I first thought about breeding my axolotls, I didn’t understand if they were ready or not. First of all, you need to see if both axolotls are at least 18 months old and also larger in size, usually 7–8 inches or more. 

It is also important to determine their gender male axolotls have a bumpy area near the tail, while females usually have a round and somewhat wide belly. Healthy axolotls appear active for breeding, their skin is clear, and they eat properly. 

If any axolotl looks weak or its gills are pale, then you shouldn’t even think about breeding it. These are all simple signs that I personally checked when I was waiting for my axolotl eggs for the first time.

Is Breeding Axolotls Right for You?

Look, before starting to breed axolotls, think about the fact that this is not a one-day task. When I bred for the first time, I thought it was a simple hobby, but in reality, it comes with a lot of responsibility. 

First of all, you will need extra tanks or tubs, as the eggs and small babies need a separate space. You have to change the water two or three times a day, and also provide fresh food, especially when the axolotl eggs hatch.

Many people often breed axolotls to keep them as pets, or to observe their different colors and morphs, and some people also do this for school projects or research. 

However, the most important thing is that you should be ethical, meaning, do not breed them just for fun unless you can take proper care of the babies. Every axolotl has its own life, so it is your responsibility to provide them with space, cleanliness, and a healthy environment. 

So, only start breeding if you can handle all of this; otherwise, it’s best to just enjoy what you already have.

Caring for the Eggs

When my female axolotl laid eggs for the first time, she usually stuck them to the tank’s plants or stones, on live plants, plastic plants, or any rough surface. I can tell which eggs are fertile by looking at them, because fertile eggs are slightly clear and have a small black or white dot inside, while infertile eggs become cloudy or white and don’t form any shape. 

I often gently remove the eggs from the plants or stones and place them in a separate tub within 24–48 hours, so that adults or any other tank mates don’t eat or damage them. This way, the eggs remain safe, and you can easily see which eggs are healthy and which are not, and then only take care of the healthy eggs.

Incubating and Hatching Eggs

When I get axolotl eggs, I usually use small plastic tubs or food-safe containers because they allow me to see and manage the eggs easily. It is essential to keep the water clean, so I change a little water every day or every other day without disturbing the eggs. 

I mostly keep the temperature between 18–20°C because in this range, the eggs remain the healthiest and hatch quickly. Too warm water can damage the eggs, so I never use direct sunlight or a heater. 

In my experience, the eggs normally hatch within 2 weeks (i.e., 14–21 days). It is a whole different joy to watch the entire process when tiny baby axolotls emerge from the eggs!

Caring for Axolotl Babies

When my axolotl babies hatched for the first time, the first thing I understood was that they need to eat very small things, like live daphnia or baby brine shrimp. I feed them two or three times a day to ensure all the little ones get enough. 

However, these babies sometimes bite each other, so I find it better to keep them in separate small tubs, especially until they grow a bit larger. Keeping the water clean is very important, I change 100% or 50% of the water daily or every other day and make sure that no food or waste stays in the tank. 

This way, all the baby axolotls remain healthy and grow quickly.

Common Problems and Solutions

When I was breeding axolotls for the first time, some eggs did not fertilize or hatch on time, which is completely normal. Unfertilized eggs usually turn white or cloudy, and I remove them from the tank immediately to prevent the water from getting polluted. 

Sometimes, some babies come out deformed or look weak—so I separate them to keep the healthy babies safe. If too many eggs are not hatching or the water smells, I immediately change the water and check the temperature, because clean water and the right temperature are the most important. 

If a baby has difficulty swimming or is not eating, I separate it from the others and observe it. With a little practice and attention, you can easily handle axolotl breeding problems!

Legal and Ethical Considerations

When I thought about breeding axolotls, the first thing I did was check local laws, because rules can vary everywhere, keeping or selling axolotls may not be allowed in some places. Therefore, always check the regulations in your area to avoid any problems later. 

Another important thing is to never do inbreeding, meaning do not breed brother-sister or close relatives, as the babies may be weak or sick. Choose different families or bloodlines for healthy axolotls. 

I always follow these two principles to ensure that my breeding setup is ethical and that the axolotl babies are strong and healthy.

Conclusion

When I first bred axolotls, I was very confused, so I used to seek help from online forums, Facebook groups, and some simple books like ‘Axolotl Care’—people at all levels share their tips there. My advice is to always focus on clean water and healthy food, and never breed sick axolotls. 

If any problem arises, don’t panic, just ask an experienced breeder or post on the forum, people usually help. Most importantly, be patient and enjoy the process; everyone makes mistakes, but that’s part of the learning experience. The start may seem a bit difficult, but with some research and help, you can also breed axolotl babies!

FAQs

Are axolotls easy to breed?

When you breed axolotls, you get hundreds of eggs at once, which sounds very exciting, but in reality, it is a bit difficult too. Not every baby finds a good home, and not all babies survive in captivity. Many times, multiple axolotls from the same clutch end up staying with you, and sometimes siblings even breed with each other, which is not good for their health. And because these babies look very cute, people often take them on impulse, but raising them is actually not easy.

Can I breed axolotls in Minecraft?

In Minecraft, if you have adult axolotls, you can easily lead or breed them with buckets of tropical fish. When axolotls breed, a cute baby axolotl spawns, and you also receive 1 to 7 experience points, which gives a sense of fun and reward in the game. …

How do I make my axolotls breed?

From my experience, if your axolotls are in a room where the temperature and light change slightly according to the season, like having a window, then breeding occurs naturally. Most of the time, they breed once before winter starts and then in spring; it is just essential that you feed them properly and keep them healthy.

What color axolotls to breed to get blue?

If you want a blue baby axolotl, then the best chance is that both parents are blue. In almost 99% of cases, baby axolotls take on the color of their parents. If you breed one blue and one non-blue, you might still get a blue baby, but when both are blue, the chance of getting blue babies is highest.

Allah Rakha

Allah rakha

Allah Rakha, the creator of Fish Realm Hub, is a passionate fish enthusiast who shares simple, trusted guidance on fish care, tank setups, diseases, and helpful products. With hands-on experience and a love for aquatic pets, he aims to make fishkeeping easy and enjoyable for everyone.

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