My axolotl is laying eggs.

[axoltlmad123]

Hi I just wanted to ask a few questions as it is my first time raising axolotl eggs and I'm feeling a bit nervous. My axolotl has been laying all day , I now know this can go on for 3 days. One thing is at the moment until tomorrow when I manage to go shopping they are in a small plastic tub. I have no way of fitting the artificial plants she is laying them on in. I'm really struggling to get the eggs off the plant without hurting them or killing them. I think I've killed a few and feel awful about it has anyone else experienced this and is there a trick to it?I wasn't expecting them to breed yet because I thought recently axi was a boy and harley definitely Is. How will I know if the eggs are fertile I only put him in a few days a go. Have seen plenty of spermaphores (For those who don't know the dad is a chimera. .) Are there any tips you can give me to make me feel more confident I have red loads but still feel worried. Pictures are mum and dad. Dad and a spermaphore and the eggs. Does the colour develop later on if they are half black half white. Does anyone know what mix of colours ill get if any. I know they aren't chimeras just because they are half black half white at this stage.

 

[Bette]

It helps if the plants have thin, straight leaves. Because then you can easily press your fingers together and move from one end of the leaf or stem to the other end.... effectively stripping the eggs cleanly right off the leaves.
Try not to worry too much about removal. They are pretty tough. And sometimes you have a few casualties.

I am very excited to hear if Harley's coloring gets passed to any of the offspring. It has been said that chimeras cannot pass on the gene.... but you just never know!

 

[charleybambino]

My first thought is that as a first time grandparent!......perhaps only try to raise a dozen or so eggs.......unless you have endless time, containers and baby brine shrimps.......it can be very time consuming to do a proper job.......but good luck in what you decide is right for you.

 

[axoltlmad123]

Yes I worked out how to do it in the end. I do think I'll raise them all but I have a couple of days to decide anyways. When they start showing signs of developing I will think about posting out if I'm not going to raise them all. I am also excited to see what colours ill get, the eggs are all half browny black half white. What do you think the colours could be. I have decided to feed on daphnia with micro worms as a back up and then frozen bloodworm with water movement if it all goes wrong not bbs as I have red they are very messy. I think I'll house them in sets of plastic drawers I have seen other people do that. Would a bbs net be any good for moving the babies around I've red about using a turkey baster but wouldn't like doing that. I'm also going to see if with the plastic drawers my dad can separate them into further sections so I can separate into all sort of sizes rather than just 5. Maybe he'll be able to do it so they can all be housed on their own at first.