How Many Eggs Should I Get?

[kroezen]

I got my first axolotls back in April (the 22nd), and they're doing very well. I have two beautiful boys (one of which turned out to be a silver dalmatian), both of which are almost exactly 7 inches long. I'm very pleased with how they've grown.

That aside, I've been considering getting some eggs to raise next year but I'm not sure how many eggs to get. I only want to get a few of them because I have limited space at home and don't want to be tripping over tubs of axies. Also, as I will probably be going to college in september of 2014 I don't want to have to drag a bunch along with me if I can't give away/sell them before I go.

Presently I plan to get a few in late April-early June that way I can raise Daphnia outside for them. I'll probably keep them in several, small plastic tubs under my bed; or in a single, large plastic tub under my bed.

Like I've stated a few times, I don't want to get a lot of eggs. My initial thought was either 5 or 10 eggs, that way if 50% die, I'll have 2-5 babies to look after and give away/sell. And since I only want to keep 1, those numbers seem reasonable to me.

I'd really like the opinions of people who have raised axolotls from eggs before about how many I should get. I am a beginner so less is more for me.

Thank you!

 

[elfelty]

I'm currently raising a few eggs and I can say that they're more work than you think with all the raising food, feeding, cleaning and everything. If you really only want one more axolotl I would just buy a juvenile. That way you can choose exactly what you're getting color-wise and there's no worries as far as how many you end up with or have to find homes for.

 

[kroezen]

I thought it might be an interesting experience to raise axolotls from eggs. I understand it's a lot of hard work, but they tend to be cheaper and easier to ship than juvies--and there aren't a lot of people in nova scotia that have/sell axies. So, with eggs, I could ship from as far as ontario without worry that they'd die.

I'm still not 100% certain I'm getting eggs, but I do think I want another Axolotl eventually.

 

[digitalxri0t]

In my experience the hatch rate can vary. If you want to be sure as possible about how many are surviving to raise and such, I would go for parents that have had a eggs in the past with good hatch rates. Now that doesn't mean that every batch will have the same hatch rate but it can help. If you choose to buy from say first time parents, chances will still probably be pretty good though there's a chance that some or all might not hatch. 5-10 wont cost much so if none of them make it then it wont be much of a loss, but if all of them do you can turn and sell them.

As for raising I loved raising mine. I used shrimp and once you get a flow going its pretty easy honestly. I made mine in betta cups with the lids modified for as much water as possible with an air stone. I was only raising a few so I didnt need a lot of shrimp, something along these lines would work well for 5-10 though. I had two going at once at different stages as its suggested and never had any issues with hatching, I just filled the cups and put in a tablespoon of salt and the next day I had shrimp. I left all my babies in a container, nothing super big, and made sure to keep mine well fed and have never had any issues. These doesn't work so well with a lot of larvae, however for a small amount fatalities should be few as long as daily food is given in enough quantity. I changed water daily and the whole thing of water changes, gathering food, rinsing it and feeding them only took 20 minutes at most.

Sorry for rambling on a bit, but thats my input.

 

[auntiejude]

I will probably be going to college in september of 2014

Honestly? I would recommend you wait until you finish college. Raising axies takes time, effort and money - things your average student is usually short on.

 

[Alkylhalide]

Speaking as a recent graduate, who raised eggs my last two months, i agree money is tight and it is a ton of work, however I made room. It involved feedings and water changes at 7am before school, and feeding and water changes before bed. Growing and cultivating food and what not. I spent on average 2-3hours a day taking care of them.

I luckily enough found homes for most before my on the job training started. I only had 5 left, two went to a home shortly after and I still have three(one we were planning on keeping and 2that i didnot want to home because of genetic issues I was not sure how they would fair--though they are doing awesome now)

It is a great experience and if you are ready for the dedicated work then I say go for it. But you need to be dedicated because it does not take much to kill them.
Plus you are doing great with your lotls right now or from what I can see

Ps: it seens like all the melanoids I had turned out to be silver dalmations, who would of thought!