Extra large axolotl egg

[millerj76]

Hello, been watching my Axolotl eggs grow for just under 2 weeks now and have came across an unusual baby. So this is from my axxies 3rd batch of eggs (tried seperating my axxies to stop breeding, but they get depressed and seem happier together) Anyway, so about 3 days ago, whilst observing the eggs, i noticed that one of the babies inside the egg is a beast!! Normally, eggs i see that are just about to hatch, the baby inside has a small round head and then a very thin type body, well the baby i am talking about looks more like a slug!! It has quite a big fat head, think of a hammer head shark, that seems to be the shape of the head, eyes are very noticeable on either side of the head and then the body is fat and short,. Any ideas? Has anyone came across this before, or could i be raising a monster Also just to mention, this was my axolotls smallest batch of eggs, probably between 80 - 100, the eggs have been cared for as per usual, have stayed in situ since being removed from tank, all are moving inside the egg as usual. The eggs have some sand stuck to them from moving them out of my tank, and these are the clearest photos i could get.

 

[axolotl lvr]

That is interesting, thanks for providing pictures.. Im not a expert, but by looking at that lil guy he may be deformed?? Im sure some experts will chime in and I am anxiously awaiting thier replys!!! You have me curious!! I hope that big guy does well! Please please keep us updated on him!!!

 

[millerj76]

I was thinking deformed also, but it seems it has a good shape, just noticeably bigger than any egg i've raised, as i said it seems to be moving, as per usual. Talking of deformed, i was in a garden centre yesterday, and was gutted, their axolotls all seemed in bad shape, bad substrate, bite marks and gills missing, but one had an unusual deformity, it had another leg/limb facing upwards from the knee part of the front leg/limb, my wife got a picture of it which i will include, still might go and get it as it is unusual.

 

[callina]

I agree. The larva looks deformed and I don´t know what will happen when it hatches and if it survives. But you must beware of keeping this axie separated his whole life. But in my mind, I don´t think that it will survive for long. I think, I would put him into the parents tank, but I´m not sure. It´s interesting.

Tina

 

[millerj76]

I agree. The larva looks deformed and I don´t know what will happen when it hatches and if it survives. But you must beware of keeping this axie separated his whole life. But in my mind, I don´t think that it will survive for long. I think, I would put him into the parents tank, but I´m not sure. It´s interesting.

Tina

It is interesting, i am sure i will let it live, and yes, maybe an idea to keep it seperated, i'd like to give it a chance at life, its came so far already. None of my other eggs/hatchlings have had any abnormalities, so to see this huge one, was a shock. Still, hoping it's not deformed too badly or at all, but it's different for sure. The eggs are'nt too far from hatching, so will get some pictures on as soon as it come's out.

 

[axolotl lvr]

OMG dont put it in the parents tank that's sad...If my child came out deformed I wouldnt eat it.. Im so glad you feel the same way John!! I cant wait to see the updates on this guy

 

[SapphireTigress]

wow, I understand culling if its hatched and suffering, but letting it hatch and letting the parents eat it is cruel, and kind of messed up IMO.

My opinion on culling is if its suffering and not thriving, then it should be culled, but if its just wierd/abnormal but surviving and fighting for life, why take that away?

 

[millerj76]

I totally understand culling, so would never be against, and i think the reason why axolotls have so many babies, is because in the wild i imagine not a lot would survive anyway. And i agree, culling should be done either straight away, or at least before it breaks the egg. There is no point in just being a pet owner, then when 150-250 eggs come along, thinking you can instantly turn into a breeder and raise them all, leave that to the breeders, who have all the right equipment and know how, it is almost impossible to raise and then sell/trade/giveaway that amount of axolotls. When my axolotls mated, i gave as many eggs away as possible, keeping a small amount for myself to raise, this number drops as the strong survive and the weak fall. Also axolotl eggs are hard to sell as there is many with them, they are'nt too hard to find these days, so if someone will definetley take care to raise them, then i have no problem giving away for free. Every one of us has opinions, it's just one of the many things that make us unique, so as god said, 'judge not lest ye be judged yourself'.

 

[xxianxx]

I have got to disagree on the non culling of deformed and substandard axolotls. Axolotls lay hundreds of eggs, not all of them would survive in a natural environment , only the healthiest and fittest would . By allowing poor quality axolotls to survive you are decreasing the quality of the gene pool, as people often buy them from the same source and if rubbish related axolotls breed you are compounding the problem , this is possibly the main reason why so many unfit axolotls are on the market in the UK. I do not expect all my axolotl hatchlings to survive nor do i want them to, if you are going to cull is it not better that they are put to use as feeders ? as long as they are fed to other animals which are large enough to dispatch them quickly or you euthanize them yourself prior to feeding. I just consider that the feeders are just taking one for the team. If you want to keep deformed axolotls that is your buisness but please dont let them breed.

 

[axolotl lvr]

John how is he doing? Can We get a update and pic????

 

[callina]

I completely agree with nai live...... and you must consider, that a deformed axie propably has deformed inner organs and that it hardly can spend a life in health.
To put it in the parents tank sounds cruel, but it is much better to end a beginning life asap, than let the animal grow and suffer by illness and a death in pain.

 

[axolotl lvr]

You never know.. You cant just kill him without knowing for sure!!@!!!

That;s like killing a baby with a heart defect or missing arm.. Just ridiclous!!!

Dont listen to anyone but ur instincts... if ur ok with killing him then do it.. but u must give him a fair chance... only the fittest will sruvive anyway...

 

[kiathepooch]

You never know.. You cant just kill him without knowing for sure!!@!!!

That;s like killing a baby with a heart defect or missing arm.. Just ridiclous!!!

Dont listen to anyone but ur instincts... if ur ok with killing him then do it.. but u must give him a fair chance... only the fittest will sruvive anyway...

I think comparing a baby to an axolotl ridiculous.





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[xxianxx]

You never know.. You cant just kill him without knowing for sure!!@!!!

That;s like killing a baby with a heart defect or missing arm.. Just ridiclous!!!

Dont listen to anyone but ur instincts... if ur ok with killing him then do it.. but u must give him a fair chance... only the fittest will sruvive anyway...

Firstly nobody has suggested destroying the egg, i would wait and see what it looked like , it may just be a super sized hatchling and a good axolotl. Secondly euthanizing a damaged axolotl is clearly not the same as killing a disabled child. Culling substandard axolotls is good for the species , being compassionate for individual creatures is the sign of a good heart but you need to see the broader picture, unhealthy axolotls which are allowed to grow and breed will gradually bring down the quality of the captive population and where is the kindness in that ?

 

[axolotl lvr]

I see what ur saying but John already said he wouldnt let it breed so, why kill it? How do u know he is damaged until he hatches.. You are not a axie vet so your not qualified to say what is wrong with this bigger axie.. I just hope hes ok

 

[xxianxx]

How do u know he is damaged until he hatches.. You are not a axie vet so your not qualified to say what is wrong with this bigger axie.. I just hope hes ok

If you actually make the effort to respond to a post it is worth your time reading it, the very first line of my post was

"Firstly nobody has suggested destroying the egg, i would wait and see what it looked like , it may just be a super sized hatchling and a good axolotl"

 

[Cocoapanda10]

I would wait to see what happened to it. If it looks deformed cull him, but give him a chance, take him to an amphibian vet and get him/her looked at. Could just be a large, healthy Axolotl.

 

[callina]

It might have already hatched. How does the larva look like today? Did it survive?

Tina

 

[xxianxx]

If it looks deformed cull him, but give him a chance, take him to an amphibian vet and get him/her looked at.

A vet would love this scenario. Getting presented with a deformed axolotl hatchling

vet: "Hey ! its a deformed axolotl hatchling , not a lot i can do to be honest but thats £30 for the consultation and £30 to put it down."

I apolagise to any vets who wouldn't charge for this consultation but i generally feel that i have been mugged after a visit .