When do you guys rehome your babies?

[Petersgirl]

Just wondering when everybody considers their babies old enough to rehome? I currently have a few with front legs so I know back legs are not far behind, and that bloodworms will soon be on the menu. My oldest are about a month old. Is it okay to rehome them once they are eating bloodworm, or would you guys advise keeping them a little longer?

Also, do I need to separate them as a few now have their legs and they are still in a dishwashing bowl at the moment? I have read several sources saying that they should be separated at this stage, but what do you guys do?

 

[rachel1]

I feel they are pretty hardy around the 3" mark. I usually hold on to mine until they are 3" and have all the limbs grown in. They are easier to feed and much less sensitive at that age.

 

[auntiejude]

Depends where the babies are going. If the babies are going to experienced keepers who are familiar with raising larvae then any time. If they are going to pet or aquarium stores they usually want them at 3-4". If they are going to inexperienced keepers then I'd recommend 3-4" if not larger - simply because they are more robust at that age and size.

The real danger period for having unexplained deaths and weeding out poorly or deformed larvae is the first 8 weeks/2 inches. Once they have all their legs and about 3" is a good time to rehome, and it's probably a good idea to get them used to a filter before you let them go too.

As for separating them, I don't unless there is reason to isolate one. I raise mine in Really Useful Boxes in groups of a dozen or so, then thin them out as they grow. If you keep them well fed they don't tend to nip too badly.

 

[keiko]

I've never bred my axies, but I like to get mine when they're atleast 10 cm (about 4 inches).

 

[Petersgirl]

Thanks for all your advice, guys. I may have to hold on to mine for a little longer than I thought - most of my axxies are going to fairly new owners, and even those that have had axxies before haven't had them this weeny. How old would they be at 4"? Around two months or so?