Unexpecting breeding of two 'Girls', need advice!

[Giles]

A few months back we had two female axolotls, Itzi and Eren......at least that is what we all thought they were. Turns out Itzi is in actual fact a male. I've had my suspecions for a few weeks as her....i mean his cloaca had swelled up a bit, but i thought it may have been constipation. Well today Itzi has been deposting sperm sacks on the bottom of the tank. I have also notice Eren was looking a lot fatter recently, i had put it down to possibly over feeding (though i didnt think i was) but today she is going around the tank and depositing eggs I know i have to separate them for thier own health, so i have ordered a clear see-through fish tank divider as there should be enough room just for both to live but they are very close so they will still be able to see each other. Is this the right thing to do? I dont have the time or facilities to breed them or the room to put them in different tanks but i would hate to have to get rid of one

 

[Kaysie]

A divider is a fantastic idea if you want to prevent future breedings. Just make sure your filter can still filter water on both sides of the tank.

 

[NooNoo Kz]

They could still be fine in a tank together without the divider, as long as they are well fed, happy, not on gravel and have a mate they should be fine health wise, its only if you dont want the eggs... Thats when the divider comes into place, it sounds like an awesome Idea. good luck with your 2 "girls" hehe.

 

[iSuzie]

The divider is a great thing in these types of situations, especially because you should avoid breeding them again any time soon. When a female breeds it takes a lot of out her physically and it can be draining for her, make sure you give her an extra big worm or offer her the best food source you have! After all she has done a wonderful job even if you didn't expect it! lol
You should defiantly keep them separated for 1 - 3 months to let her recover and if you don't want future breeding to take place then separation is the only way unfortunately.
Have you decided what to do with the egg's? They can be re homed and raised by other breeders, I know a lot of people wanting axolotl egg's. Maybe an add on ebay or gumtree or even on here in the give away or for sale section. The other option is to leave them in the tank where the parents can eat them and absorb their nutrients

 

[Jacquie]

They could still be fine in a tank together without the divider, as long as they are well fed, happy, not on gravel and have a mate they should be fine health wise, its only if you dont want the eggs... Thats when the divider comes into place, it sounds like an awesome Idea. good luck with your 2 "girls" hehe.

If the axolotls are bred again so soon after the first laying the male will be fine, as depositing spermatophores takes very little effort on his part. The concern is mainly for the female. If given the chance she will produce and lay eggs continuously, and this strain to her body can be detrimental to her health. The divider will give her body a break.

 

[iSuzie]

If the axolotls are bred again so soon after the first laying the male will be fine, as depositing spermatophores takes very little effort on his part. The concern is mainly for the female. If given the chance she will produce and lay eggs continuously, and this strain to her body can be detrimental to her health. The divider will give her body a break.

That's exactly what I was trying to say lol But put much better.

 

[NooNoo Kz]

Lol.. I was trying to say that in my first post.. But I have autism so I say some things the wrong way when really I mean the other...

 

[Giles]

Thats what i was worried about, for my female. I'd heard she would just keep laying and it would probably be the death of her.

Regarding the eggs, i was going to leave them in, as from what i (quickly ) read about breeding, its best to use a pair from a different line, mine are brother and sister!

Is a tank divider a short term answer? Will the female still keep producing eggs?

Im just trying to convince the girlfriend to squeeze another tank in somewhere in the house so i can seperate them and find them a same sex buddy each, after seening how social they have been together i couldnt bare for them to be on thier own.

 

[NooNoo Kz]

a tank divider can be a long term solution, but yes she will keep producing eggs, but she wont lay them.
axolotls wont lay eggs unless they are fertile.