How Many Eggs Do Axolotls Lay? Everything About Clutch Size

Abdul Wasay Khatri | Administrator

Last updated: 8 January, 2026

The first time my axolotl spawned, I counted 287 eggs scattered across every plant and rock in the tank. After five years breeding these amphibians, I’ve seen clutches ranging from tiny batches to overwhelming numbers that challenge even experienced keepers.

Typical Axolotl Egg Count Per Spawn

Axolotls lay between 100 and 600 eggs in a single spawning event. Most healthy females produce 200-400 eggs, with the average clutch size around 300 eggs. However, numbers vary significantly based on the female’s age, size, health, and breeding history.

Young females breeding for the first time typically lay 100-200 eggs. As they mature and gain experience through multiple spawns, egg production increases. My most productive female laid 573 eggs during her fourth spawn at age 3.5 years.

Older females past their prime (7+ years) often produce fewer eggs again, sometimes dropping to 150-250 per clutch. This natural decline happens as their reproductive system ages.

Factors That Determine Egg Quantity

Several conditions influence how many eggs your axolotl produces during breeding.

Female Age and Size: Larger, mature females between 2-5 years old lay the most eggs. A 12-inch female produces significantly more than an 8-inch female, even at the same age. Body mass directly correlates with egg production capacity.

Diet Quality: Females fed varied, protein-rich diets develop more eggs. I feed breeding females earthworms, blackworms, and salmon pellets 5-6 times weekly for 6-8 weeks before spawning. Poor nutrition reduces clutch size by 30-40%.

Breeding Frequency: Females spawning too often produce fewer eggs each time. Their bodies need 3-4 months to rebuild protein and calcium reserves. Breeding every 6 weeks consistently yields smaller clutches than waiting 3-4 months between spawns.

Water Quality: Excellent water parameters support maximum egg development. High nitrates, pH swings, or temperature stress reduce fertility and egg counts. Maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm, nitrates below 10 ppm, and stable pH between 7.0-7.6.

Seasonal Timing: Spring spawns after winter cooling periods often produce more eggs than summer breeding. Natural seasonal rhythms influence reproductive output even in controlled tank conditions.

How Long Does Egg Laying Take?

Females don’t release all eggs at once. The spawning process takes 12-48 hours from start to finish. I’ve watched females lay 20-30 eggs, rest for an hour, then continue laying throughout the night and next day.

Larger clutches take longer to deposit. A 400-egg spawn might stretch across two full days, while 150 eggs could finish in 12-15 hours. The female attaches each egg individually to surfaces using a sticky coating.

During my third year keeping axolotls, I documented a 36-hour spawning event where my female laid 427 eggs. She methodically covered every plant leaf, decoration, and tank wall with perfectly spaced individual eggs.

What Happens to All Those Eggs?

Not every egg survives to become a baby axolotl. Expect 60-80% fertility rates from healthy breeding pairs. Infertile eggs turn white and fuzzy within 24-48 hours and must be removed to prevent fungus spread.

Even fertile eggs face mortality from fungal infections, poor water quality, or genetic defects. Experienced breeders typically raise 40-60% of the original clutch to the free-swimming larva stage.

That means a 300-egg spawn might produce 180-240 fertile eggs, with 120-180 successfully hatching into larvae. This natural attrition explains why axolotls evolved to lay hundreds of eggs—survival rates in the wild are even lower.

Managing Large Egg Clutches

Hundreds of baby axolotls create serious practical challenges. Each larva needs space, pristine water quality, and massive amounts of live food. Consider these realities before breeding:

Tank Space: Larvae need separation by size to prevent cannibalism. You’ll need multiple 20-40 gallon tanks as they grow. My 350-egg hatch required seven tanks by month two.

Food Requirements: Baby axolotls eat live baby brine shrimp 2-3 times daily for weeks. You’ll hatch millions of brine shrimp or spend hundreds on prepared foods. Budget accordingly.

Time Commitment: Daily water changes, feeding schedules, and tank maintenance multiply with each additional larvae tank. Expect 2-3 hours daily caring for 200+ babies.

Finding Homes: Most breeders can’t keep 300 adult axolotls. You need buyers, local pet stores, or adopters lined up before breeding. Many keepers humanely cull excess larvae.

Comparing Clutch Sizes Across Spawns

I keep detailed records of egg counts from each breeding pair. Here’s data from one productive female across five spawns:

• First spawn (20 months old): 163 eggs
• Second spawn (23 months old): 287 eggs
• Third spawn (2.5 years old): 341 eggs
• Fourth spawn (3.5 years old): 573 eggs
• Fifth spawn (4 years old): 412 eggs

This pattern shows peak production in middle age with gradual increases early on. Environmental conditions stayed consistent, proving age and experience matter significantly.

When Egg Counts Are Unusually Low

Some spawns produce only 30-80 eggs. This happens when:

Interrupted Spawning: Stress, poor conditions, or disturbances stop egg laying mid-spawn. The female reabsorbs remaining eggs internally over the following weeks.

First-Time Breeders: Very young females (15-18 months) sometimes lay minimal eggs during initial spawns as their bodies learn the process.

Health Issues: Parasites, infections, or nutritional deficiencies reduce egg production dramatically. Address health problems before attempting breeding.

Egg Binding: Some eggs get stuck internally. This medical emergency requires veterinary intervention. Prevention includes proper female conditioning and avoiding breeding undersized females.

Planning for Your Axolotl’s Spawn

Before breeding, decide your maximum manageable number. Many breeders remove and freeze excess eggs humanely after collecting their desired quantity. This prevents overwhelming yourself with hundreds of larvae requiring months of intensive care.

Calculate realistically: 200 eggs might seem manageable, but 120+ larvae in six tanks demanding daily maintenance becomes exhausting quickly. Start small—even 50-100 eggs provide valuable breeding experience without crushing workload.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do axolotls lay eggs every month?
No, healthy females should only breed 2-3 times per year maximum. More frequent spawning depletes their calcium and protein reserves, causing serious health problems. Wait at least 3-4 months between spawns.

Can you reduce how many eggs an axolotl lays?
Egg counts are biologically determined you can’t control the number a female produces. However, you can remove and humanely dispose of excess eggs after spawning to limit how many you raise.

What percentage of axolotl eggs survive?
In controlled breeding tanks, 60-80% of eggs are fertile, and 40-60% successfully hatch into larvae. In wild conditions, survival rates drop to 5-10% due to predators, water conditions, and environmental factors.

How can I tell how many eggs my axolotl will lay?
Larger, well-fed females between 2-5 years old typically lay 300-500 eggs. First-time spawners produce 100-200 eggs. You can’t predict exact numbers, but female size and age provide rough estimates.

Do male axolotls affect egg quantity?
Males don’t directly determine egg numbers that’s biological to the female. However, male fertility affects how many eggs get fertilized. Healthy, mature males successfully fertilize 70-90% of eggs laid.

What should I do with hundreds of axolotl eggs?
Plan before breeding. Keep only what you can raise properly (50-100 eggs for beginners). Humanely freeze excess eggs in a freezer bag. Never release larvae into natural waterways—this harms native ecosystems.

Abdul Wasay Khatri
Administrator
Abdul Wasay is the founder and lead author of Axolotl Portal, a trusted site for axolotl care. He spent almost nine months learning about axolotls, including their tanks, feeding, water care, and common health problems. His knowledge comes from trusted vets, research, and real experience from long term axolotl owners. All Posts by