Question: To divide or not to divide?

[Elliriyanna]

I keep reading conflicting information on keeping same size juveniles together. I have 3 4 " 1 5 inch and Natsu my 11 inch ... I have been thinking its not fair to keep Natsu in a fully cycled 40 breeder ( only filled halfway currently) when the babies could use the space ... the 5 inch would be divided for sure but can the other 3 live together? I have read as long as they are well fed they are fine to be togvether. Natsu of course would not be in with them lol.

This is once I fix the filter problem of course which is looking like personal preference issues rather than a real problem.

I know about the cannibalistic stage but I have read several places this can happen at any age and can usually be prevented as long as you are not underfeeding

 

[Chinadog]

I never had any problems keeping older juveniles of different sizes together. Like you say, if they are well fed and there's plenty of space I think they should be fine. I suppose there's always a risk, but in my experience over about ten years I can't remember any cannibalism once they were over the 2-3" stage. Maybe others have seen things differently?

 

[Elliriyanna]

what do you consider older juveniles? These are only 4 and 5 inches ...

Also there seems to be controversy on wildtype juveniles being more agressive and my wildtype is also my biggest

If its safe I would love to give them the 40 Natsu can have a bin for the time being, she does not mind.

 

[Chinadog]

Juveniles over 2-3 inches. I never found wild type axolotls behaviour any different to coloured ones but maybe some bloodlines are more cannibalistic than others?

 

[Elliriyanna]

It could easily be people blaming agression on color.

Thank you for the advice I have only been keeping axolotls for a year now and that's just been Natsu really so multiple babies the same size is a new ballgame for me.

I did ask the breeder about potential agression and hers have no history of it

 

[HayleyK]

It could easily be people blaming agression on color.

Thank you for the advice I have only been keeping axolotls for a year now and that's just been Natsu really so multiple babies the same size is a new ballgame for me.

I did ask the breeder about potential agression and hers have no history of it

Colour has nothing to do with it IMHO. My golden is so much more snappier and always hungry compared to his wildtype sibling. I also believe it doesn't have anything to do with genetics or "history". If you don't feed enough, or feed too close, limbs will be mistaken for food.

 

[Elliriyanna]

I generally drop food right in front of faces ... if its an earthworm then I use tongs ...

I follow the the head should be roughly the same side as the body rule. So I have fat, happy lotls ...

Its sounding like as long as I keep up with the feedings and don't let them get too hungry it should be fine