Axolotls species are salamander species mainly found in southern Mexico. These species can be viewed as popular and unique pets that are easy to care for.
They are very capable of living in an aquarium and regenerating their limbs.
They became common laboratories and are used in research into tissue growth. Unfortunately, axolotls are seriously impacted by invasive habitat loss and habitat damage.
However, they’re often raised in captivity due to their use of animals. Currently, there are around 20 different kinds of Axolotl colors for pet owners.
Breeding has resulted in many different colored shapes, which are sometimes rarer or more desirable.
All About Axolotl Colors
The axolotl, a permanently aquatic salamander, is well-known for its ability to regenerate lost limbs. What is less well-known, however, is the wide range of colors that axolotls can exhibit.
In the wild, axolotls are typically brown or greenish-black, with spots that help them to blend in with their murky surroundings.
However, captive axolotls can be found in a variety of colors, from albino to melanistic.
These color variants are not just cosmetic; they can also have an impact on an axolotl’s health and behavior.
For example, albino axolotls are highly sensitive to light and must be kept out of direct sunlight.
Melanistic axolotls, on the other hand, tend to be more aggressive than their lighter-colored counterparts.
Whether captive or wild, axolotls are fascinating creatures that come in a wide range of colors.
Axolotls are unusual amphibian species found only within freshwater lakes near Mexico City.
The estimates suggest between 50 and 1000 animals remain in the wild. In nature, it’s mainly a small color. The axolotl is generally of dark black to a grey-brownish hue.
It is mostly an adaptation that helps to reduce their tendency toward predatory species such as herons.
These unusual amphibians can even be brought as pets, making them an excellent option to have for the home!
Typically breeding companies are trying out new colors, styles, and morphs. Captive breeding morphs are now more prevalent and more widespread. New models can be ordered.
Axolotl Morphs explained
We must first understand the genetics of different colors, genes, and cell structures.
Axolotl contains three different kinds of pigment cells which produce different colors.
Axolotl inherits their colors from a pair of distinct genes and the genes of each parent are identical.
Each gene is divided into three parts based on chromatophores. The combination of alleles increases and decreases the quantity of each chromophore on the axolotl and their color. Some of these individual albinos have low melanin levels.
The reason for the many Axolotl color variations
It is necessary that one examines the genes of an axolotl to understand its color and its morphology.
There are pigmented cells called chromatophores determining axolotl’s colors.
The chromatophores have three kinds – melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores. Generally speaking, the chromosomes have 14 pairs each coming from the same parent and father.
A little ingenuity in crossovers allows the creation of various multiple color types. It has become very common to see mutant species of axolotl today, some of them very uncommon.
How many colors do Axolotls come in?
Axolotls come in more than 20 color schemes and patterns to combine for breeding morphs. The most commonly used colors are black and brown as well as white, pink, and grey.
The majority of morphs have combinations of the color listed above. Axolotl’s eye colors may vary according to their morph Axolotl.
The gills are pink in color and the skin is blue and black. Genetically modified, synthetic genes are cultivated using artificial selection in the hope they can produce more color.
Leucistic Axolotl
Megyn Pomerleau/Schutterstock.com Though it may appear easy to mistake it as the standard albino the leucistic axolotl actually has transparent seeps with red glands and dark brown and black gills.
The most important differences biologically in Albino are that the albino version produces only the pigment melanin and the leucistic version from the reduction of the entire pigment of the skin.
A variant known as leucistic sprinkling is similar to a leucistic sprinkled morph in that the skin has a transparent color and is also dark green or brown in color.
Piebald Axolotl
Piebald morphs are mainly one of the axolotl colors. Its formation is due to partial leucistic morphs in which dark grey/black patches cover areas of white / opaque skin cover.
Most patches cover the face and back, but rarely the side and leg. There’s a difference between spherical leucistic marrow and spherical molar because they have a very large number of spots.
Piebald spots may darken gradually as skin becomes entirely covered by black or white marks. Genes causing these patterns are inherited, and it is rare but very rare.
Firefly Axolotl
Probably one of the most controversial changes. Firefly morphs are dark-colored wild-type axolotl with black albino tails. These tan proteins have a green fluorescent protein.
The genes responsible for forming glowing proteins were originally introduced into the axolotl from jellyfish to measure cancer resistance
Axolotls that received the procedure were light-colored in appearance. In the same way, the embryos of two embryos were fuse-tied to produce dark axolotl.
White Albino Axolotl
The albino axolotl is one of the most common artificial color morphs.
Characterized by a pure white body a red gill filament and pink or white eyes albino morphs are caused by axolotls producing considerably less melanin, which influences skin color as well.
The albino also has little pigment. This shape has, therefore, been shown to be sensitive to light. It probably struggled in nature, but human populations adapted to their color and bred more in captivity.
Golden Albino Axolotl
Golden Albano is arguably a popular artificial Axolotl color. It has yellow skin which subtly changes from white to yellow to orange-gold during its lifetime.
When the egg hatches, the golden albino larvae are almost indistinguishable from the albino, but their golden colors appear surprisingly lustrous.
This color morph is caused by virtually every pigment being reduced, with an exception of one causing yellow and gold.
Copper Axolotl
This relatively rare morph is a grayish-green body with copper-colored spots that cover quite evenly the skin surface.
Besides gray eyes color, there’s gray-red skin. This unusual combination was caused by lower levels of melanin and pigmentation in the skin.
Copper morphs are most likely in US and Australia but are relatively rare elsewhere. If compared to other morphs, these are a very interesting combination.
Black Melanoid Axolotl
License Developed in 1961, Black Melanoids are amongst the most common color morphs on the earth today.
Its particular blend of pigments produces a broad range in color from dark green to black. Dark purple gills and pale green or purple abdomen are also present. Some individuals are similar to wild-type Axolotl but there is no Golden Irish. Black morphs are in fact the opposite of albino morphs.
Lavender Axolotl
This color morph has a light silver-colored tone and purple color with gray-colored gills and black eyes that can change gray with age.
The existence of spots around the body gave the other name Silver Dalmatian axolotl. This unusual variation may have been hard to obtain and more expensive than any typical color morph, but the colors are truly unique.
Chimera Axolotl
A chimera is an animal with two or more different populations of cells that originated from different zygotes.
In axolotls, this usually manifests as a patchwork of tissue types where one axolotl has both gills and lungs, for example.
Chimeras can also have patchwork coloration, which is what makes them so popular among axolotl keepers. You never know what you’re going to get with a chimera, and that’s part of the fun!
Dirty Leucistic Axolotl
Leucistic axolotls are pale axolotls that lack dark pigmentation. They can have either black or red eyes, and their gills are usually very pale pink.
While they’re beautiful animals, leucistic axolotls can be more susceptible to skin infections and other problems due to their lack of pigment.
Cherry Red Axolotl
This axolotl color morph is similar to the wild type in that it has a dark brown or black base color with spots.
However, the spots are a much brighter red than in the wild type, and the overall effect is quite striking. Cherry red axolotls are relatively rare, but they’re becoming more popular as people learn about them.
GFP Axolotl
The GFP axolotl is a genetically modified axolotl that expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in its cells.
This makes the axolotl glow green when exposed to ultraviolet light, which is pretty cool! GFP axolotls are still pretty rare, but they’re definitely one of the most unique axolotl colors morphs out there.
Enigma Axolotl
The enigma axolotl is a very rare color morph that was only recently discovered.
It’s similar to the GFP axolotl in that it glows green when exposed to ultraviolet light, but the enigma axolotl also has streaks of black pigment in its skin. This makes for a truly unique and beautiful animal.
The creature is described as being similar to a salamander, but with a long tail and webbed feet.
It is said to be black in color, and its eyes are said to be red. Some believe that the enigma axolotl is a relative of the extinct amphibian known as the Axolotl.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Sightings of the creature are rare, and it is believed that there may only be a handful of individuals living in the wild.
While the enigma axolotl remains a mystery, it is clear that this creature has captivated the attention of people around the world.
Summary
The axolotl is a creature that comes in many different colors, morphs, and variations. The most common color morph is the Black Melanoid, which is a dark green to black color.
Other popular color morphs include the Lavender Axolotl, Chimera Axolotl, Dirty Leucistic Axolotl, and Cherry Red Axolotl. The GFP Axolotl and Enigma Axolotl are two of the most unique axolotls due to their ability to glow green when exposed to ultraviolet light.
The enigma axolotl is an especially rare creature that is believed to be related to the extinct amphibian known as the Axolotl. Sightings of this creature are very rare, and there is still much mystery surrounding it.
FAQ
What is the rarest Axolotl color?
Lavender axolotls are some of the rarest and most sought-after axolotl morphs.
They are usually entirely lavender or light gray in color, with silver to dark gray spots speckled across their bodies.
Lavender axolotls are very popular among hobbyists and collectors due to their rarity and eye-catching appearance.
However, they can be difficult to find, as they are not commonly bred in captivity.
f you’re lucky enough to find a lavender axolotl, be prepared to pay a high price – they are often one of the most expensive axolotl morphs on the market.
How rare is a gold axolotl?
Gold axolotls are a beautiful and unique addition to any axolotl collection.
While they may seem rarer due to their vibrant gold coloring, they are equally rare as any other common axolotl, with a spawn rate of 24.98%. Gold axolotls are instantly recognizable by their yellow bodies and gold-tipped toes and fins.
They make a wonderful addition to any vivarium and will surely impress any visitors. Thanks to their rarity, gold axolotls are sure to be a conversation starter and the centerpiece of any collection.
Are blue axolotls real?
Yes, blue axolotls are real! They are a relatively new color morph that was only discovered in 2009. Blue axolotls are a beautiful powder blue color, with black spots speckled across their bodies.
Thanks to their striking appearance, blue axolotls have become one of the most popular color morphs on the market. However, they can be difficult to find and are often more expensive than other axolotl morphs.
How Much Do Axolotls Cost?
The price of an axolotl can vary depending on the morph, color, and size. Common axolotls (such as the Black Melanoid) can be found between $30 – $75, while rarer morphs (such as the Lavender Axolotl) can cost upwards of $100.
Size is also a factor – juvenile axolotls are often cheaper than adults, as they are easier to care for and have a longer lifespan.
Lastly, the price may also depend on where you purchase your axolotl. Online retailers often have lower prices than pet stores, but it is important to do your research to ensure you are getting a healthy animal.
Can you hold a pet axolotl?
Yes, you can hold a pet axolotl. However, it is important to be careful when handling them, as they are fragile creatures.
It is best to support their bodies with both hands when lifting them out of the water.
They also have very delicate skin, so it is important to avoid touching them too much. If you must touch them, make sure your hands are clean and dry.
Can axolotls live with other fish?
Most people don’t think of axolotls as being particularly social creatures, but the truth is that they can actually get along quite well with other animals – including fish.
The key to keeping axolotls with fish is to choose the right species. Avoid anything with long, flowing fins or tail, as these can appear to beaxolotl food. Instead, go for short-finned or bottom-dwelling fish who are too fast for the axolotl to catch.
Some good options include danios, tetras, and guppies. As long as you provide a good mix of hiding places and open space, your axolotls and fish should be able to coexist peacefully.
