Axoltol Inbreeding???

[Pariah]

So I happened to look into my new axolotl tank and found that my two axolotls in there (Phantom and Specter) have decided to lay eggs. The problem is that they are siblings.

I've heard it both ways with salamander inbreeding, some argue there is nothing wrong with it and others say that it messes up the gene pool. Personally I wish it didn't happen, I've heard that there had to be certain conditions for them to mate and didn't even expect it, not to mention how soon it happened after I just put them in there.

I want to know some of your opinions on this situation.
What should I do:
A.) Raise them and hope for the best.
B.) Destroy the eggs to ensure further safety to the axolotl gene pool.
C.) Destroy most of the eggs but hold on to some to give to people who won't breed them.
D.) Any other options that you guys could come up with for the situation.

Any input that you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Again it was never my intention to breed these two........it just kind of happened.

 

[Shizeric]

I'd say B.

 

[Azhael]

Well...inbreeding is definitely not positive. Caudates generally require a number of generations before the impacts of inbreeding become obvious. That doesn´t mean that inbreeding is harmless, at least i don´t see it that way, it just takes a bit longer to be negative.
The problem with axolotls is that they are already a genetic mess and the result of many generations of inbreeding. The majority of people don´t care if the animals they use for breeding are related, so entire bloodlines are the result of severe inbreeding. The obsession with color morphs only makes things worse as inbreeding is the only way to create new recessive mutants.

Personally, i think if you are one of those who are concerned about the issue, the best thing would be to cull this batch. They certainly won´t benefit the species.... Bare in mind, though, that finding trully unrelated axolotls may be VERY difficult, and that simply acquiring them from a different source is no guarantee of better genetics. Mind you, it will always be somewhat better than breeding with siblings...

 

[michael]

I vote for a. Limited gene pool is not a major problem in amphibians. The axolotl gene pool is not as closed as some think it is. Most mutant axolotl lines from inbreeding have been produced on purpose for research purposes. The weak lines are selected against by most breeders of pet and display animals.