Axolotl Eggs: What to Expect & How to Care for Them

Discovering axolotl eggs in your tank is exciting but can be overwhelming. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs. Here is what to do.

Egg Appearance

Axolotl eggs are:

• 1-2mm in diameter (about the size of a small bead)
• Surrounded by a clear jelly coating (1-2cm total diameter including jelly)
• Attached to surfaces with a sticky gel (plants, tank walls, decorations)
• Laid individually or in small clusters

Fertile vs Infertile

Remove white eggs immediately to prevent fungus from spreading to healthy eggs.

Egg Care

Container Setup

• Small container or shallow tub with dechlorinated water at 16-18°C
• No filter needed (but gentle aeration helps)
• 100% daily water changes (gently pour off old water, add fresh)
• Keep in a cool, dark place (avoid direct sunlight)

Timeline

Cooler water = slower development. At 16°C, expect hatching around day 18-21. At 20°C, expect day 14-16.

Tips

• Do not touch the jelly coating more than necessary
• Remove any eggs that turn white or develop fuzzy growth (fungus)
• A few drops of methylene blue in the water can prevent fungal growth on eggs
• Keep the water cool and clean, that is all they need

After Hatching

Newly hatched axolotls are about 1cm long. They absorb their yolk sac for the first 24-48 hours and do not need feeding. After that, follow the baby axolotl care guide for feeding and housing instructions.

What If You Did Not Plan for Eggs?

If breeding was unintentional and you cannot raise hundreds of babies:

• Leave the eggs in the tank: adults will eat most of them (nature’s solution)
• Remove only a few: save 10-20 eggs to raise, let the rest be consumed
• Contact local axolotl groups: other keepers may want eggs or babies
• Do not release axolotls or eggs into the wild (illegal and harmful to ecosystems)