From Egg to Axolotl: The Incredible First 12 Weeks

One day, you’re looking at a tiny jelly-like egg with what appears to be a little comma inside it.

Twelve weeks later, that comma has legs, fluffy gills, a serious appetite and absolutely no intention of paying rent.

Welcome to the incredible first 12 weeks of an axolotl’s life.

Axolotls grow and change remarkably quickly during their first few months. From developing inside an egg to hunting live food and eventually looking like miniature versions of the adults we know and love, there is a lot happening behind those tiny faces.

Here’s a look at the journey from axolotl egg to little lotl.

Weeks 0–2: Life Inside the Egg

Axolotl life begins inside a clear, jelly-like egg.

Each developing embryo is surrounded by a protective gelatinous coating. At first, the embryo may look like little more than a dark curved shape, but development quickly becomes visible.

As the days pass, you can begin to make out the body, head and tail.

Eventually, tiny external gills start developing.

The exact time it takes an axolotl egg to hatch varies depending on factors such as water temperature and development, but hatching commonly occurs around 10–14 days after the eggs are laid.

And then things get busy.

Weeks 2–3: Welcome to the World, Tiny Lotl

Newly hatched axolotls are absolutely tiny.

At this stage they look more like miniature aquatic dragons than the chunky axolotls they will eventually become.

Their bodies are almost transparent, their external gills are visible and they have a long tail designed for swimming.

What they don't have yet are proper legs.

For the first part of their lives, baby axolotls rely heavily on movement to identify food.

This is why appropriately sized live foods are so important during the early stages.

At Little Lotl's, our babies begin their feeding journey with brine shrimp.

And they are very good at turning tiny food into slightly less tiny axolotls.

Weeks 3–4: Eat, Swim, Grow, Repeat

During these early weeks, growing is basically a full-time occupation.

Baby axolotls need regular access to suitable food because their little bodies are developing rapidly.

You'll start noticing their heads becoming more defined, their gills becoming increasingly obvious and their bodies beginning to look more recognisably axolotl-shaped.

You'll also notice something else.

Not every baby grows at exactly the same rate.

Even siblings from the same clutch can develop differently. Some shoot ahead while others take their sweet time.

This is completely normal and is one of the reasons young axolotls need to be carefully monitored as they grow.

Weeks 4–6: Legs Are Incoming

This is where things start getting particularly cute.

The front legs begin developing first.

They may initially appear as tiny little buds before gradually forming recognisable legs and toes.

Watching an axolotl discover that it suddenly owns legs is one of the great joys of raising them.

They're not necessarily good at using them yet.

But they have them.

During this stage, the babies continue eating brine shrimp while growing rapidly.

Their colour and markings may also start becoming more obvious, although many axolotls will continue changing considerably as they mature.

Weeks 6–8: Starting to Look Like Proper Axolotls

By now, the transformation is well underway.

The babies are larger, their front legs are established and their back legs begin developing.

Their external gills are more prominent and their faces are beginning to develop that unmistakable axolotl appearance.

Different morphs may also become easier to identify.

Wild types, albinos, goldens, coppers, axanthics and other colour variations begin revealing more of their eventual appearance.

But don't get too confident.

Axolotl genetics occasionally likes throwing a glitter-covered spanner into the works.

Colour, iridophores and other characteristics can continue developing as the axolotl grows.

Around Week 8: Goodbye Brine Shrimp, Hello Blackworms

Around eight weeks, feeding begins another important transition.

At Little Lotl's, brine shrimp feeding finishes around eight weeks and blackworms are introduced.

Blackworms provide growing juvenile axolotls with a larger food source appropriate for their increasing size.

By this stage, feeding behaviour is much easier to observe.

That adorable little face?

It is becoming a food-detection system.

Walk past the container and suddenly everybody is interested in your activities.

Weeks 8–10: The Mini Axolotl Stage

This is the stage where babies really begin looking like miniature adult axolotls.

They have four legs, fluffy external gills, increasingly developed bodies and considerably more control over their movement.

Their individual appearances and personalities can also become more noticeable.

Some are bold.

Some are cruisy.

Some immediately investigate anything that moves.

And some apparently believe every object in their vicinity might be edible until proven otherwise.

Growth rates can still vary considerably between individuals, so size and development are more useful than simply assuming every axolotl should reach exactly the same milestone on the same day.

Weeks 10–12: Almost Ready for the Big Kid Menu

Between 10 and 12 weeks, juvenile axolotls continue building body condition and growing rapidly.

Blackworms remain part of the feeding program during this stage.

By now, their proportions are becoming increasingly familiar. The legs are established, the tail is strong, the head is broader and those beautiful external gills frame the face.

They're starting to look less like babies.

Although we're not sure anyone has informed them.

From 12 Weeks: Pellets and Earthworms

At approximately 12 weeks, another major feeding transition begins.

At Little Lotl's, juveniles move from blackworms onto quality axolotl pellets and appropriately sized earthworms.

Earthworms are an excellent staple food for axolotls and can be cut into appropriately sized pieces for smaller juveniles when required.

Learning to accept pellets also makes feeding easier and provides another suitable food option as they continue growing.

At this point, you have something that looks remarkably similar to an adult axolotl.

Just pocket-sized.

How Big Should an Axolotl Be at 12 Weeks?

There isn't one magic number.

Axolotl growth rates can vary depending on genetics, food intake, water conditions, temperature and individual development.

Two siblings hatched on exactly the same day may not reach exactly the same size at 12 weeks.

Rather than focusing entirely on age, it's important to look at the individual axolotl's size, body condition, development and ability to comfortably eat the foods being offered.

Water Quality Matters From Day One

Baby axolotls may be tiny, but their water-quality requirements certainly aren't.

Clean, appropriately conditioned water is essential throughout development.

As they grow and eat more, they also produce more waste, making good husbandry increasingly important.

Axolotls should be kept in cool water, with 14–18°C being the temperature range we recommend at Little Lotl's.

Stable, suitable water conditions give developing axolotls the environment they need to grow.

Why Do Some Babies Grow Faster Than Others?

Anyone who has raised a clutch will quickly discover that axolotl siblings don't read growth charts.

Differences can occur because of:

• Genetics

• Individual appetite

• Food intake

• Competition for food

• Water conditions

• Temperature

• Natural variation between individuals

This is why babies need regular observation and may need to be separated or grouped according to size as they develop.

The First 12 Weeks Are Pretty Incredible

In roughly three months, an axolotl transforms from a tiny embryo suspended inside a jelly-like egg into a four-legged juvenile capable of eating worms and pellets.

They hatch without legs.

They develop their front legs.

Then the back legs arrive.

Their colours emerge.

Their gills develop.

Their feeding changes from tiny live foods to increasingly substantial meals.

And somewhere along the way, that tiny aquatic comma becomes an unmistakable axolotl.

The first 12 weeks may be only a small part of an axolotl's life, but they're packed with enormous changes.

And if you're lucky enough to watch the entire process?

It's pretty hard not to check on them approximately 700 times a day.

Looking for Your Own Little Lotl?

At Little Lotl's Australia, we raise our axolotls with careful attention to feeding, water quality, development and individual growth.

We believe new owners should understand not only how to care for their axolotl, but where these fascinating animals came from and how much development happens before they're ready for their new homes.

Explore our available axolotls, care information, food, aquarium supplies and everything you need to prepare for your new little lotl at Little Lotl's Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do axolotl eggs take to hatch?

Axolotl eggs commonly hatch around 10–14 days after being laid, although development time can vary with conditions such as water temperature.

Are axolotls born with legs?

No. Newly hatched axolotls do not have fully developed legs. Their front legs develop first, followed by their back legs.

What do baby axolotls eat?

Very young axolotls require appropriately sized foods. At Little Lotl's, babies begin with brine shrimp, transition to blackworms at around eight weeks, and move onto pellets and earthworms from approximately 12 weeks.

When do axolotls start looking like adults?

During the first 12 weeks, juveniles progressively develop their legs, body shape, gills and colouring. By around 12 weeks they look much more like miniature adult axolotls, although they still have plenty of growing to do.

What temperature should baby axolotls be kept at?

Little Lotl's recommends maintaining axolotl water at 14–18°C.