Hybrid Ambystoma mexicanum x Ambystoma andersoni

[ZombieAxolotl]

Here are the pics of the babies.
None of the babies that were mostly yellow can be seen. They all darkened to look like normal Andersoni babies.

 

[Bellabelloo]

The largest is now just over 5'', the smallest just over 4''. They are now much more lively since the water temperature has risen to a balmy 10 degrees C.

 

[oceanblue]

I'm now the keeper of two of Ian's hybrids each just under 17cm (about 6.5 in.) long total length about half of which is tail. I've been raising them cool and while not exactly starving them feeding them lightly.
I've only photographed one. I can't see any signs of maturity or morphing.

 

[Bellabelloo]

Since the water temperature has now warmed up, these are eating well again. The largest ones are just over 6'' and the smaller ones are about 5''. I have now separated them into two groups. The three smaller ones are now in a larger outdoor tub....and I can no longer see them due to the plants and the green tinted water
The three larger ones are still in the shed and will also be moved out to a tub once I make up my mind where to place it :/ The photo's are of the three larger ones.

 

[otolith]

As they get larger they look more like wild type axolotls and less like andersoni. (to my eyes at least)

 

[Bellabelloo]

I am still not sure what they look like, but I tend to think they look like nicely marked wild types axolotl.
I only have one wild type axolotl,and no andersoni so it is difficult to compare them to anything.
These have been hatched close to a year now and I haven't seen any sign of what sexes they may be. Axolotl are less shy in revealing this, I have no idea how soon andersoni start to show

 

[xxianxx]

Non of my hybrids are showing signs of being male either

 

[Sean90]

How are the hybrids doing?

 

[Bellabelloo]

Mine are in two groups and they now reside in the garden. Despite them both having mesh lids I am frequently having to oust frog invaders of various sizes.
A few weeks ago I fished them all out to check their sizes and body conditions. They are all growing again and looking well.
Despite them now being a little over a year old, their is no enlarged cloaca ..they all look the same Body shape wise though I would think I have both sexes. I had read that these could all well turn out being female. I did save a link that suggested that this would be most likely, but I am clueless as to where I saved it.

I will fish them out again soon and will take some more photo's.

 

[Bellabelloo]

Well, I was bored so I fished them out this morning.. the photo's aren't good so you'll have to use your imagination

 

[Sean90]

Completely different individuals look great

 

[oceanblue]

I've no new photos but they look much the same as my last post and the above ones only a bit bigger. They are now 20cm. Growth seems about half the rate I remember for axolotls at the same temperature and eating similar quantities of food.

They are currently at 17 C in a north facing ground floor room. I'm working on the principle they may be more vulnerable to heat than axolotls and will seek an even cooler spot if this site hits 20 C.

 

[xxianxx]

I agree with oceanblue, the growth rate of the hybrids is a lot slower than A.mexicanum. Infact the two hybrids that oceanblue has were the biggest ones I had , the others were quite a bit smaller.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I decided to check on one of the groups. These remained in their tub during our heat wave, and I recorded their water temperatures hitting 24C for a few days. I'll fish the others out in a few days. These ones are measuring around 7''. Considering their age, compared to axolotl they are growing very slowly, showing no signs of there being males in the group, and generally looking like pretty wild type axolotl.

 

[Niels D]

They've turned out beautiful!

 

[auntiejude]

I have just read this whole thread - fascinating!

But I wonder if someone could post pictures of the differences you mention - webbed feet, toes, tail, fin etc for those of us who have never been lucky enough to meet an Andersoni to appreciate the differences.

 

[oceanblue]

I'm moving a newly obtained male andersoni to a tank and thought a comparison photo with the hybrids might be informative. I haven't any closeups of feet.

The andersoni is on the right and the hybrid on the left. They are almost the same total length but as well as the brown/green colour difference the andersoni shows a stouter body and shorter tail. The tail of the andersoni is less than 80% of the snout/vent length while in the hybrid they are equal.

 

[xxianxx]

I am amazed at the colour change in the hybrid. All of its siblings in my tank are still brown. The body shape of the hybrids is definitely A.mexicanum, the colouring/markings are more like the A.andersoni than any wild type I have seen , though this can be effected by lighting levels etc as your new pic shows.

 

[Bellabelloo]

Today I have returned five to a nice big tank in the shed...number 6 was no where to be found A few weeks ago part of the lid was blown off, I suspect a feline took it. The pictures are of three different individuals.

 

[Bellabelloo]

And these are the last two. The colouration is much the same in all, except one that is very dark coloured.