(Insert photo here)

Day 11:

So this is the end of day 11 and none of the axolotls have hatched. BUT many of the eggs have started "drooping" like they will hatch tomorrow or very very soon. The lab tech says that the axolotls in the lab have about 5 days left until they hatch but mine could even hatch over night. I am keeping an eye out to see how they do and there has been lots of movement today. Fingers crossed they hatch soon and at a similar time. I want to remove those leaves and unfertilized eggs as soon as I possibly can.

Day 12:

I was really hoping they would hatch today, alas, no luck. They have been moving around like ping-pong balls off the walls of their eggs. There are several larger axolotls that look like they will just break out any moment now. The lab tech is astonished that they have not yet hatched. There have been no other changes in terms of appearance or size even that I can see. Fingers crossed they will hatch over night.

This is simultaneously exciting and nerve-wracking. Hoping they hatch overnight! I can't wait to see them all out of their eggs

Day 12 and/or 13

3 have hatched! 2 gold, 1 gold with mottling! I moved them over to a larger tank separate from the eggs using a turkey baster (a technique used that does not hurt them). I have fed them and it takes about hour to feed them. 10 minutes of prep, 30 minutes of feeding and 20 to 30 minutes of cleanup after the feeding. I only have frozen food, live is hard to access here at the moment because of people buying in bulk even though they don't actually have any baby animals eating the food they are buying so we are being resourceful and it's working. The rest of the eggs seem very active! Photos will be posted as soon as I can get them up. Thank you all <3

Image (c) me. Taken today at 9:42 am. These three are the ones that hatched over night. I woke up and saw little gold things in the bottom of the hatching tank and they were the axolotls. I have moved them over, fed them, and then took the photos during feeding time. I have to feed them twice daily for a while just to make sure they are well fed and that all of them are eating. Normally they would feed off of the nutrients from their eggs and can go 24 hours without being fed but because I moved them, they were not given that chance and were fed frozen daphnia. One of them is particularly bright. I really don't know what that is about. It is kind of glowy. I am hoping to keep one of the golds, my brother and sister are particularly fond of the darker golds. But we will see. I am looking for a gold GFP or a chimera since they are super unique and interesting. The one that my family keeps will be the centerpiece of our dining table. We will have a massive tank that stretches the length of the table and the filter will be built through the table or we will find a batter operated one. It all depends on if we can find the right tank. In the meantime, I will be caring for these guys and will update you all if any new axolotls emerge. They are super active and seriously pushing at their egg walls.

That's so cool! Hopefully the others hatch soon :D

It's honestly so exciting having known about this since the start, and now to finally see day old axolotl's is really fascinating. Are they all in one tank or are they sepeprated? Is the second one pictured the really bright one, or is that just faulty camera acting?

The three are in a large tank all together, it is about 2 gallons or something like that, I dont know the exact size off the top of my head but is is very wide so they all have their own space. I won't separate them until they are about 2 weeks old which is when their front limbs develop and they gain their cannibalistic appetite. The second one is super bright. It is white with a light gold tint and its the hardest to see in the water. I had a hard time finding it. There is also one that hasn't hatched yet that is, oddly enough, green... I don't know what that is about but it is a very light, almost lime green but it has a golden head/face. The lab tech pointed that out to me and I thought I was the only one. It will likely be a light light gold or even albino when it ages. So we have some unique colors in here. Super vibrant.

I feel a little awkward posting for some reason but I just wanted to say that this is super cool! It seems a bit surreal that this is almost over and it felt like such a short time. Axolotls are super cool! I've always wanted one but never knew where to find one from a reputable source/breeder or where to even start research-wise before committing lol (Will 100% take suggestions). Anyways, the commitment to not only the project but the axolotls and the forum is astounding and I admire it so much! Congrats on the new babies! Have you decided on any possible names for the one you decide to keep?

Don't feel awkward at all and please let me know if you have any questions! If you aren't sure about committing to getting one, the best place to go and ask questions is honestly not a breeder or place that will sell them to you but someone who owns one because while breeders and sellers will try and just get money out of you (most of the time) the people that just own them as a hobby or pet will be pretty honest and upfront about it. I think the best place to start for research is just the basics as far as what they need to eat specifically. If you can't source what they need to eat, you may want to reconsider. I find that sometimes youtubers are over dramatic when it comes to them and what they need to eat but some are actually not too bad. Its just a matter of going through and finding what things they have in common.

Thank you tons for your support <3

And yes! Mushu (like the dragon from Mulan, because their father was named after a Disney character - I typed the wrong name earlier in the forum - his name is actually Eugine), Linda, Jorge, Spot (i honestly hate this name but my mother disagrees), and Leroy are all names that have been tossed around :)