Are these eggs alive?

[djp81]

Hi,
I bought 19 axolotl eggs 9 days ago, not sure how old they were then, but only one of them now looks like a little axolotl (in the third pic). They're at about 19°C so should there have been more development by now? The rest are either still round, white on one side and dark on the other, or both. Do they look viable or should I remove them and give the good one the best chance?
Thanks.

 

[Donna001]

I don't have any experience with eggs, but thought this information may be helpful.
Axolotls - Breeding Axolotls Successfully
Hopefully one of the more experienced keepers/breeders will be along soon to help you answer your specific questions.
Best of luck with your eggs. :happy:

 

[AxolotlChris]

It will take 3-4 weeks to hatch eggs in most cases, 19 degrees Celsius will help hatch faster, but it will take as long as it takes.

You have some non viable eggs in the images you have posted. If the eggs go cloudy or the eggs do not develop in shape, you know they will not hatch, so they will need to be removed and disposed off since they can develop fungus and/or foal the water.

 

[djp81]

Thanks Donna and Chris,

I'm not very good yet at identifying which are the good ones and which aren't. Some of them look ok from one angle but unviable from another, to my eyes anyway.

Would you be so kind as to let me know which to remove? I have lined them up, put a red sheet of paper underneath and numbered them. I'm pretty sure 1-7 are bad, and 15 looks bad in that picture but it's the same as 16 and 17 the other way up, 18 looks better the other way up too. Most of the others are at least slightly cloudy but not quite as round as when they arrived.

I'm starting to think only number 19 is viable, in which case I'll be looking for more eggs!

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[Otterwoman]

19 is definitely viable. Were they all laid at the same time? It's possible that some of the others are just developing slower. I have had some eggs I was sure were non-viable turn out to result in larvae. I always wait until the bitter end before I destroy "non viable" eggs. I think any of the ones with the dark spot could still be viable.

 

[djp81]

It could be possible that 19 was laid earlier but it does seem to be developing much faster than the rest. I got them through the post so I don't know for sure.

I have put 1-7 in a different tub so they don't foul the water, quite sure they're bad but no harm putting them there for now to see what happens.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Make sure your using dechlorinated water

 

[Canecorsonewt]

I have only seen around 150 eggs hatch. And it was from 1 female newt. But the few i through away the out side of the egg was affected. The outside of the clear gel looked like it might be molding. Not falling apart thats ok more like cobwebs. I wouldn't worry about the development of the yoke. I watch the outside of the eggs if it gets moldy remove them.

 

[AxolotlChris]

I've always found with Axolotl eggs that it is the embryo that is to be monitored and used to decide if the egg is viable or not. They tend to go cloudy at the center first, or the embryo will either not change shape, or may turn slightly oblong and then develop no further.

Often the egg sack can end up with debris/waste that can coat it, giving it an unhealthy appearance, but often does not stop the egg from developing.

Keeping an eye out for fungus on the sacks is always good so the egg(s) can be quarantined. Clean dechlorinated water should always be used

 

[djp81]

I'm using tap water that has been sitting in a large tank for a week so any chlorine will have dissipated, and a small airstone in the corner to keep it aerated.

Is it unusual to have only one viable egg from so many? Apart from the obviously good one, all the others appear at least slightly cloudy in the centre and don't seem to be developing much at all.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Use dechlorinator, no guarantee everything is dissipated

 

[djp81]

Ok thanks, I'll pick up some dechlorinator to make sure.

 

[djp81]

Quick update, there has been no further development in 18 of the 19 eggs, so I've moved them all to a different tub, but this little one is wriggling around in its egg and looks ready to hatch! :happy:

 

[Donna001]

Fantastic photo - that's amazing.

 

[djp81]

Hatched today! :happy: I've put a few daphnia in to provide food over the next few days, and I have 10 more eggs coming soon from a different place as I am hoping to raise at least two to full size.

 

[Donna001]

Congratulations.

 

[Newtofish1]

Sorry for the bad picture are these dead please