Do Axolotls Eat Their Babies? Why And How To Stop Them!
If you are breeding axolotls or accidentally ended up with eggs, one of the most important things to know is that yes, adult axolotls will absolutely eat their babies. This is not a sign that something is wrong with your axolotl. It is perfectly natural behavior. But if you want to keep those babies alive, you need to act fast. Here is everything you need to know about why axolotls eat their young and how to protect them.
Why Do Axolotls Eat Their Babies?
Axolotls are opportunistic carnivores with very simple instincts when it comes to food: if it moves and fits in their mouth, they will try to eat it. They do not have parental instincts the way mammals or birds do. There is no recognition of “that’s my baby” happening. To an adult axolotl, a tiny hatchling looks exactly like any other small prey item.
This behavior is not unique to axolotls. Many fish and amphibian species eat their own eggs and young. In the wild, this actually serves an ecological purpose. It reduces competition for resources and ensures that only the strongest, fastest individuals survive. Of course, in a home aquarium, you probably want more of those babies to make it.
Will They Eat the Eggs Too?
Yes, axolotls will eat their own eggs as well as hatched babies. In fact, the egg stage is when they are most vulnerable because eggs cannot swim away. If you leave freshly laid eggs in the tank with the adults, a significant portion will be eaten within the first day or two. The adults will simply munch on them like snacks throughout the day.
How to Protect Axolotl Babies
Separate the Eggs Immediately
The most effective method is to remove the eggs from the adult tank as soon as you notice them. Carefully peel the eggs off plants, decorations, or whatever surface they are stuck to and transfer them to a separate container with clean, dechlorinated water at the same temperature as the main tank. This gives the eggs the best chance of hatching without being eaten.
If you cannot remove the eggs easily, you can also remove the adults from the tank temporarily and let the eggs hatch where they are. Once they hatch, the babies need to be kept separate from any axolotl that is significantly larger than them.
Use a Separate Hatching Container
A simple plastic container or small tank works well for hatching eggs. The water should be dechlorinated and kept between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Do daily water changes to keep the water clean, as developing eggs are sensitive to water quality. The eggs should hatch in about 14 to 17 days depending on temperature.
Keep Babies Separated by Size
Here is something many new breeders do not realize: baby axolotls will also eat each other. As soon as some babies start growing faster than others, the bigger ones will nip at and eat the smaller ones. Once the babies develop their front legs, they become particularly nippy. To minimize losses, sort babies by size and keep similarly sized individuals together.
Individual deli cups or small containers work well for separating particularly aggressive or fast growing babies. This is labor intensive, especially with a large clutch, but it dramatically improves survival rates.
When Is It Safe to Put Babies With Adults?
Baby axolotls should never be placed with adults until they are large enough that they cannot fit in the adult’s mouth. As a general rule, babies should be at least 6 inches long before being introduced to a tank with adult axolotls. Even then, monitor the situation closely for the first several days to make sure the adults are not bothering the younger ones.
Size difference between tank mates is the key factor. Two axolotls of similar size can usually coexist peacefully, but a significant size difference almost always leads to the smaller one getting nipped or eaten.
What If You Do Not Want to Raise Babies?
If you are not interested in raising baby axolotls, the simplest approach is to leave the eggs in the tank and let the adults eat them naturally. You can also remove the eggs and dispose of them. There is nothing wrong with either approach. Raising hundreds of baby axolotls is a massive commitment of time, space, and money that most pet owners are not prepared for.
To prevent future breeding, separate your male and female axolotls into different tanks. This is the only reliable way to stop egg production.
Do axolotls eat their own babies?
Yes, adult axolotls will eat both their eggs and hatched babies without hesitation. They do not have parental instincts and see small moving creatures as prey. To protect babies, eggs must be separated from adults immediately after being laid.
At what size can baby axolotls be housed with adults?
Baby axolotls should be at least 6 inches long before being placed with adults. The key rule is that the baby should be too large to fit in the adult’s mouth. Even then, monitor closely for the first several days after introduction.
Do baby axolotls eat each other?
Yes, baby axolotls will cannibalize each other, especially once they develop front legs. Larger babies will nip at and eat smaller ones. Sort babies by size and keep similarly sized individuals together to minimize losses.