What To Do With Unwanted Axolotl Eggs

If you keep a male and female axolotl together, there is a very good chance you are going to wake up one morning to find your tank filled with eggs. Axolotls can lay hundreds of eggs at a time, sometimes over a thousand, and for most pet owners, that is way more baby axolotls than anyone can handle. So what do you do with all those unwanted eggs?

How Many Eggs Do Axolotls Lay?

A single female axolotl can lay anywhere from 100 to over 1,000 eggs in one breeding event. The eggs are typically deposited on plants, decorations, and flat surfaces in the tank over the course of several hours. They are small, gel coated spheres that stick firmly to whatever surface they are placed on. If you have not separated your male and female, there is a good chance most of these eggs are fertilized.

Option 1: Remove and Dispose of the Eggs

The most practical option for most pet owners is to simply remove the eggs and dispose of them. This is perfectly acceptable and is what most axolotl breeders do with the majority of their eggs, since even professional breeders cannot raise every single egg from every clutch.

To remove the eggs, gently peel them off the surfaces they are attached to. They are surprisingly sturdy, so you can handle them without worrying too much about being delicate. Place them in a bag or container and dispose of them in the trash. Do not flush them down the toilet or release them into natural waterways, as axolotls are not native to most areas and releasing them could harm local ecosystems.

Some people feel guilty about disposing of fertilized eggs, which is understandable. But the reality is that raising hundreds of baby axolotls requires significant time, space, money, and resources. Each baby needs to be individually housed once they are big enough to nip at each other, fed daily, and eventually rehomed. For most people, this simply is not feasible.

Option 2: Hatch a Small Number

If you want to experience the joy of raising baby axolotls, consider separating a small number of eggs (10 to 20 is manageable) into a separate container and hatching just those. This gives you the experience without the overwhelming responsibility of hundreds of babies.

To hatch axolotl eggs, place them in a container of clean, dechlorinated water kept between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the water clean with daily changes, and the eggs should hatch within about 14 to 17 days depending on temperature. Warmer water speeds up development but also increases the risk of problems, so sticking to the cooler end is generally safer.

Once hatched, baby axolotls (called larvae) need to be fed live baby brine shrimp for the first few weeks, then graduated to bloodworms and eventually small earthworm pieces as they grow. Be prepared for the commitment, as babies need daily feeding and frequent water changes.

Option 3: Find Homes Before Hatching

If you decide to hatch some eggs, line up homes for the babies before they hatch. Online axolotl communities on Facebook, Reddit, and dedicated forums are good places to offer axolotl eggs or juveniles. Local fish and reptile groups in your area might also have interested members.

Be upfront about the morphs and genetics of the parents, as this affects the desirability and value of the offspring. Common morphs like wild type and leucistic are easier to find homes for because they are popular, while more unusual morphs might attract more experienced keepers.

Some local fish stores will accept juvenile axolotls once they are large enough (usually around 3 to 4 inches). Call around to stores in your area and ask if they accept axolotl donations or trades before you hatch a large number of eggs.

Option 4: Let Nature Take Its Course

If you leave the eggs in the tank with the adult axolotls, the adults will eat most of them. Axolotls are not picky and will happily snack on their own eggs. This is a natural behavior and not something to feel bad about. In the wild, many eggs are consumed by the parents or other predators, and only a small percentage survive to adulthood.

However, the adults probably will not eat all of them, especially if there are a lot of eggs in hard to reach spots. You may end up with a handful of surprise babies in the tank, which then creates its own set of challenges as you scramble to separate and care for them.

Preventing Future Unwanted Eggs

The most effective way to prevent unwanted eggs is to house male and female axolotls separately. If you know the gender of your axolotls and do not want to breed, keeping them in separate tanks eliminates the possibility entirely.

Temperature can also play a role. Axolotls are more likely to breed when the water temperature drops slightly and then warms back up, which mimics the natural seasonal cycle. Keeping the water at a stable temperature year round can reduce (but not eliminate) breeding behavior.

There is no safe hormonal birth control for axolotls, and spaying or neutering is not a practical option. Separation is really the only guaranteed method of preventing eggs.