All gone :(

[Norcinu]

Hey everyone, it's a very upsetting time for me right now. One month ago my axolotls (that I reared from eggs as well) laid eggs for the first time (they're about a year old and siblings). About 250 eggs, 170 hatched and from that, 115 that made it to one month. Last weekend I had to attend a relative's wedding and was gone two days. I cleaned their tub and left mosquito larvae and planaria for them to eat but when I came back not a single one was left alive. I just recieved my bbs hatchery and second tank in the mail today, too.

The mosquito larvae were still alive, some axolotls had full stomachs while others didn't. The pH was neutral and they were in a wide, semi-shallow tub. Before I left a couple would die each day but I thought that would be expected.

I put this in the Sick Axolotl subforum because I'm more interested in why they all died so suddenly and how I can prevent this from happening in the future.

All thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Here is an article on Why Larvae Die, maybe it can be of some use.

 

[sek]

It's horrible, but sometimes an entire clutch just die for no apparent reason (other than a shallow gene pool)

So sorry for your loss. By the way, did your larvae eat the planaria? I haven't heard of feeding them planaria before... good idea.

 

[MereB]

Oh no what an awful thing to find when you got home I am so sorry.

 

[melfly]

I'm soo sorry for your loss.

The first spawn is usually not very successful. I only got one out of my females 1st spawn they all just started dying off at about a month old.
I'm guessing that this is part of what happened. But also maybe if some died they will have fouled the water and this may have contributed.

Dont lose heart and just look forward to the next batch.

Mel

 

[DavidF]

Sorry to hear Charlie. Our Honk and Swishy from your first efforts from a year ago are going strong.

Regards
Dave

 

[animalloversfb]

The first spawn is usually not very successful. I only got one out of my females 1st spawn they all just started dying off at about a month old.
I'm guessing that this is part of what happened. But also maybe if some died they will have fouled the water and this may have contributed.
Mel

I agree with this, but also you said they are siblings - perhaps the inbreeding also contributed to their deaths.

 

[Norcinu]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll see what I can do in the future.