Question: Separate tanks or not?

[Smdee]

Hi everyone, I've got a little bit of a decision to make, and I'm hoping that I can get some advice.

I have a male and female axolotl that I raised from eggs that have been sharing a tank all their lives, from the small tank I kept them in when they were a couple cm long, to their 10-gallon they are now sharing. There have been some minor nippings (mainly at mealtime) but nothing too severe until recently. I noticed that the male's tail has been nibbled on quite a bit. They've also have not been growing much, and I think stress is a big reason (my fault, I readily admit.) They are about the same size and too young to breed (I think? They hatched May 2012. No dark toes yet)

I'm torn between separating them into two 10-gallon tanks (I live in an apartment so right now, that's all the better I can do for separate tank sizes) or going for a 20+ gallon tank for them to share. On the one hand, separate tanks would stop the biting completely but on the other, a larger shared tank would be easier for me to maintain and save space instead of having multiple tanks lying around. Also, it'd would be a lot easier to furnish a larger tank for them to have more hides and reduce biting. I've also been looking into dividing the tank.

What would be a better option? I'm leaning more towards a larger tank, but would like some opinions. Thanks!

 

[auntiejude]

10 gallons is way too small for 2 axies - I would say proximity and overcrowding is a major cause of the injuries.

Are they siblings? if so you really don't want to breed them. If you don't want to breed them anyway then separate tanks. If they are unrelated and you want to breed then a 20-30gal would be OK.

Note - dark toe tips is not an idicator of maturity - it's a complete myth.

 

[Smdee]

Thanks for the response. The 10-gallon tank was only to be temporary since they were still very small and I was giving one to my friend. She wasn't able to take him (and might not be able to at this rate) so it's definitely time for something more permanent.

I got them from my college's axolotl colony, so I have honestly no idea. A friend gave me the eggs. I think it's likely that they're related, probably siblings. Maybe separate or divided tank is the way to go.

Really? I didn't know that! Well now I feel silly

 

[Smoxolotl]

I also live in apartment and chose to separate my axols after watching the hassle she went through to lay her eggs all over the tank! It is more work to have two tanks, but I enjoy it, because each tank has its own character. I haven't personally used a divider with mine, but it seems like a popular and practical option for some. True what AuntieJude says about the black toes, my adult Leucistics don't have black toes, and I know for a fact that they're sexually mature, because of the eggs all over the tank! I've been waiting for those cute little toes to appear but it just hasn't happened!:happy: