Photo: Sexing Axolotls

[Sazroy]

Can anyone help me sex my axolotls from photos?

I've had them for YEARS and was told the white one was a girl. Then I bought the black one and was told it was a male (by the pet shop)

Sorry for the terrible photos!

 

[Donna001]

Hi Sazroy.
I recently had a similar problem when 3 of my axolotls matured over Easter. I had looked at the information on this link, Axolotls - Biology, and after being relatively sure about having at least 2 males I posted pictures here for advice & confirmation.
From what I can see in the photos I'd say that you are right, but you may need to post some better pictures.
Are you planning on breeding your two? If not, and they are being kept in the same tank, you may want to consider a divider to avoid any accidents. :happy:
I have attached pictures of my males for you to compare with your axolotls. I hope this helps.

 

[sully]

They both look like males if you've had them for years and they havnt mated it's pretty much confirmed.

 

[Donna001]

Good point there.

 

[Sazroy]

After looking at photos I definitely believe my white one is a male. I've added another photo of the black one.

 

[Sazroy]

Some more photos

 

[Skudo09]

I would say they are both male.

Off topic of the question but from the photos, both axolotls look unwell. The black axolotl's abdomen looks very distended like it may have a stone in his digestive tract. The leucistic's (white one) dorsal fin looks receded and tail is quite red and overall doesn't look entirely healthy. Is your tank cycled and what are the current parameters?

 

[Sazroy]

I would say they are both male.

Off topic of the question but from the photos, both axolotls look unwell. The black axolotl's abdomen looks very distended like it may have a stone in his digestive tract. The leucistic's (white one) dorsal fin looks receded and tail is quite red and overall doesn't look entirely healthy. Is your tank cycled and what are the current parameters?

I've had the water tested, I can't remember the parameters but it was all good.
I'm not sure what's causing the bloat in the wild one as I don't have any stones in the tank, just large rocks that are too big to be eaten. The leucistic is fine, his tail often goes red after a feed or after swimming, I have been told it's just blood flow, as it goes back to being white when he's been resting. Today the wild one is looking much better, maybe he over ate?

 

[Sazroy]

This is him today.

 

[Skudo09]

It is normal for the tail and gills to become more red after activity due to increased blood flow. However the leucistic still looks unwell as the dorsal fin looks receded and from the angle in the photo looks skinny. What is their diet?

The wild type does look much better but still has a very odd shape to the abdomen.

I would suggest purchasing your own liquid test kit so can monitor the parameters yourself. This is important as you need to test regularly and know that your tank is cycled.

 

[Sazroy]

It is normal for the tail and gills to become more red after activity due to increased blood flow. However the leucistic still looks unwell as the dorsal fin looks receded and from the angle in the photo looks skinny. What is their diet?

The wild type does look much better but still has a very odd shape to the abdomen.

I would suggest purchasing your own liquid test kit so can monitor the parameters yourself. This is important as you need to test regularly and know that your tank is cycled.

What can I do about the leucistic? He's about 8-9 years old.

 

[Skudo09]

That is a good old age . What is their diet? It may just be the angle of the photo giving the skinny appearance. Maybe get one from above?

 

[Sazroy]

He's definitely looking skinny

 

[Skudo09]

From above he doesn't look quite as skinny as the other photos. He is on the lean side but not too bad. He is desperately skinny. What is their diet?

 

[Sazroy]

Just pellets. That's what they've always eaten but I have recently changed brands.

 

[Donna001]

Have you tried them on earthworms? They are very good for axolotls. Perhaps blanch some and hand feed them individually. If that's too big (some of mine don't like whole worms) cut them in half and offer them, or chop them up and mix with the pellets.
Best of luck.
:happy: