One of the unique amphibian species is the axolotl, often known as the Mexican walking fish. It’s a neotenic salamander with unique physical characteristics that set it apart from other creatures.
Axolotls are available in five basic colors: Wild, Leucistic (pinkish), Albino white, Melanoid, and Golden. The axolotl’s color scheme is determined by the pigment in their skin and can vary according to the type of morph it is blended with.
Let us learn about the most popular Axolotls morphs now that we know what they are.
Table of Contents
Overview of Axolotl Color
Axolotls are a salamander species that can only be found in a tiny area of Mexico near Mexico City. This species is a popular and uncommon pet that requires little maintenance. They can survive without land in an aquarium and have a remarkable capacity to regrow their limbs.
As a result, they’ve become frequent laboratory animals for tissue growth research. Unfortunately, habitat loss and pollution have made axolotls extremely endangered in the wild.
However, owing to their popularity as pets, they are commonly produced in captivity. There are currently around 20 distinct varieties of Axolotl hues maintained as pets, according to estimates.
Many individuals have seen axolotls with white-pinkish bodies and mistakenly believe that all axolotls are the same. However, this amphibian comes in a variety of hues and mutant forms or morphs, some of which are the consequence of crossbreeding.
The fascinating thing about the axolotl’s hues and morphs is that there is no set amount of color variations for this amazing species. A thorough examination of genetics is required to fully comprehend why there are so many axolotl hues and morphs.
Axolotls’ color is determined by pigment-bearing cells called chromatophores. Melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores are the three types of chromatophores.
Each of the three types of chromatophores has 14 pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent. Different axolotl color kinds may be made with a little imaginative crossover action. That is why nowadays, there are so many axolotl mutations, some of which are quite uncommon.
How Many Types of Axolotls Are Available?
Although there is no exact number, there are around seven types of aquatic lizard species; nonetheless, Axolotls come in a variety of morphs. Despite the fact that there are several Axolotl variants, the majority of them are descended from certain Axolotl species.
Because they have dark hues like black and brown as their pigment basis, Axanthic Axolotls offer a base for many other kinds of these small aquatic animals, making them popular among breeders.
Other sorts of Axolotls can exist depending on the country in which they are found and sold, and even though they are on different continents, they maintain their integrity by maintaining their typical colors and distinctive appearance.
20 Best Axolotls Colors (Common and Rare Morphs)
The colors of Axolotls have been divided into three categories: Basic, Special, and Rare Morphs.
GFP Axolotl
Have you ever seen an Axolotl with a glow-in-the-dark ability?
If you haven’t seen one before, a GFP Axolotl will surprise you. GFP stands for “green fluorescent protein,” a basic and biological feature of an Axolotl that permits it to glow in the dark in a vivid shade of green.
This is a morph that was developed in a lab with the goal of learning about regenerative capabilities that might aid in the treatment of various malignancies. It’s also worth noting that this morph is a regular
Axolotl that has had the GFP genome inserted into it, giving it its stunning color.
Copper Axolotl
Another sort of unique morph that’s gaining popularity as a pet is the Copper Axolotl. Why? Because of their rare ability to change colors.
Copper Axolotls are Albino Axolotls with a genetic sequence that causes them to develop a tannish brown hue that quickly progresses to a full copper color, rather than the white or golden tint seen in other Axolotls.
There are two types of axolotls: the Light Copper Axolotl and the Het Copper Axolotl. Despite their color differences, all three animals are members of the copper family.
Copper Melanoid Axolotl
The Copper Melanoid Axolotl, like the Copper Axolotl, has the capacity to change color within the same shade range between a light tan and a dark tint. These Axolotls can be a light brown at birth and darken as they develop, eventually reaching a complete black hue.
This species is a cross between a Copper Axolotl and a Melanoid Axolotl, and while both varieties are rare in nature, they may be found as pets and in laboratories for study.
Enigma Axolotl
The Enigma Axolotl is amongst the rarest Axolotl morphs. It’s a popular morph that’s still on the increase as a pet. Their coloring condition is what makes them so unusual. They start out black and brighten to a greenish-yellow color as they mature.
As a consequence, you’ll be gazing at a black and green-spotted animal that still has the ability to perplex you, which is why this morph was appropriately termed “enigma.”
This Axolotl morph is the only one in the world with this color pattern!
Silver Dalmatian Axolotl
The Silver Dalmatian Axolotl morph is likewise a rare Axolotl that can only be seen in a few locations in the United States. The body of this critter is covered with ruby crimson antennae hairs.
Furthermore, its body color ranges from grey to light lavender, with dark blue or black dots all over its body, earning it the nickname “silver dalmatian.” In terms of disposition, this axolotl has a laid-back demeanor that may make for an interesting companion for a new owner.
Mosaic Axolotl
Mosaic sculptures, like the Mosaic Axolotl, have a flurry of colors streaming on them. Mosaic Axolotl comes in a variety of hues, including white, black, grey, and pink in certain locations, all of which are blended and swirling on its body without fear, making this creature a one-of-a-kind discovery in the United States.
The Mosaic Axolotl is highly sought after as a pet or to be employed in a laboratory for health or regeneration testing due to its rarity and appeal.
Piebald Axolotl
The Piebald Axolotl is described as having “two uneven color patterns, often black and white,” which accurately describes its appearance. This axolotl has a mainly white body that can nearly appear translucent, with black spots and streaks strewn around the rear and tail.
The spots on this axolotl are also larger, darker, and thicker than on any other Axolotl. The pink tint of its antennae contrasts with the pink color of its body, giving this axolotl a unique appeal.
Chimaera Axolotl
Because of its genetics, the Chimera Axolotl is a unique breed of axolotl with several genomes forming a single cell. In this example, two distinct Axolotl embryos united and became one during conception, resulting in a dual Axolotl wrapped up in one!
Yes, it’s a cool pet, but you could be the only one with a Chimera Axolotl owing to its genetics, which means there’s a low to none chance it’ll live through birth.
Melanoid/Black Axolotl
It’s possible to guess the color of this axolotl based on its name…black! It’s the only Axolotl morph capable of storing a considerable quantity of melanin. Due to its genetics, it appears as a solid black aquatic salamander from its crown to its tail and toes.
Despite being a natural creature, it is not organic. The Black Axolotl is made up of a large number of distinct forms of melanomorphs, which are seldom seen with diverse patterns such as stripes or spots.
Golden Axolotl
The Golden Axolotl lives up to its name by being a strong, rich yellow hue that resembles gold. Interesting fact! The Golden Axolotl can be completely white when it is born and gradually darkens as it matures.
The biological property of iridophores, which is a group of pigment cells, is responsible for this hereditary phenomenon. They can have random sparkling stripes or spots all over their bodies as they reach adulthood.
This Axolotl morph has these traits, but they aren’t guaranteed; you’ll have to wait and see!
White Albino Axolotl
The White Albino Axolotl is a wide variety of axolotl that may be found across the United States as well as in the lakes of central Mexico due to its genetics.
Because this Axolotl morph lacks the gene that allows it to produce melanin (dark patches of pigment) inside of itself, it emerges totally white, with a pale yellow base color. It’s a recessive gene that manifests itself in the White Albino Axolotl in a dominant manner.
Golden Albino Axolotl
A cross between the Golden Axolotl and the Albino Axolotl, the Golden Albino Axolotl, is a hybrid. This fusion produces an Axolotl that begins as a bright yellow hue.
Still, the Golden Axolotl’s dominant genes darken as it reaches sexual maturity, eventually becoming a deep yellow color with dark eyes and a comical smile.
Because it’s an uncommon breed of axolotl to locate in the wild, the best method to get one is to find a reliable breeder.
Leucistic Axolotl
The Lucy Axolotl, also known as the Leucistic Axolotl, is a simple and common morph of axolotl that is popular in Mexico and available from breeders in the United States. Given that they are only pink and white, they are simple to spot.
Their gills have a pale pink tint, and their body is transparent white. Because leucistic Axolotls are one of the five primary varieties of the axolotl, they are frequently accessible for breeding. They’re well known for their most prominent feature…their goofy smile!
Leucistic Speckled Axolotl
Is there such a thing as a filthy pink Axolotl? Yes, of course! And it’s one of the most prevalent Axolotl species on the planet.
Interestingly, if their water is clean and there are few to no predators, the speckles will vanish since they are solely there to hide the axolotl from predators.
Clear Axolotl
The Clear Axolotl is a species of axolotl that is found in Mexico and the United States. This axolotl is clear and lucid, nearly to the point of transparency, as its name indicates. Because it lacks the melanin gene, it has no color in its body.
The only color that may emerge on this axolotl is reddish-pink because of the quantity of blood that stays within their watery antennae.
The Clear Axolotl may appear uninteresting at first, yet it is a friendly and easy-to-manage creature.
Wild-Type Axolotl
Instead of being found in a laboratory, the wild-type axolotl is primarily found in the wild. It has a dark skin tone with little golden flecks scattered around its body. The wild type’s iconic dark style might include earth tones like brown, black, or even green.
The nice thing about their skin tone is that it aids in their concealment while immersed in water and keeps them safe from predators. It’s one of the most common axolotl varieties, and it’s easy to find one from a breeder or a pet store.
Axanthic Axolotl
The Axanthic Axolotl possesses an overall blue hue that can be employed for defense and camouflage in the wild or as a point of study in melanin research. The melanin in the skin is what gives it its black color.
Melanism is a recessive mutation that affects the axolotl’s iridophores and is a genetic feature of the Axanthic axolotl. The Axanthic axolotl is well-known since it may be found all along the Mexican and American east coasts.
Firefly Axolotl
The Firefly Axolotl is the world’s rarest morph of the axolotl, with less than 15 individuals known to exist.
Continuing, this specific morph has a unique property: it may have a dark body with a light tail or vice versa, making it the only axolotl with this unique trait. Some Firefly axolotls may even have a black body with a glow-in-the-dark GFT tail!
Interesting fact! Embryonic graphing was used to create the Firefly axolotl.
Axanthic Melanoid Axolotl
The Axanthic Melanoid Axolotl is a smooth cross between the Axanthic and Melanoid Axolotls. The body tone of this axolotl is basically dark brown with a black undertone, given that the Axanthic Axolotl already has an olive undertone.
This intriguing combination may be found online or through an authorized Axolotl breeder. Its dark features and confident smile make this axolotl deserving of care and attention, which is why, as a two-in-one animal, they make a terrific companion to learn about.
RLG Axolotl
The RLG Axolotls aren’t strictly their own morph of the axolotl, but they get an honorable mention because there are so many of them that they deserve their own category.
RLG stands for Ridiculous Long Gills, and it’s a distinct trait that may be seen in a variety of Axolotl morphs. The gills of these laughing salamanders are often 1 to 2 inches longer than those of an Axolotl.
Conclusion
Now you know that there are a variety of axolotls. The most frequent types are accessible from breeders, whereas the others are only found in research facilities or as a consequence of an unintended mutation during breeding. The leucistic or white axolotl is the most common in home aquariums. Also, Click here to know about beautiful fishes for your aquarium.
However, the wild-type axolotl comes close behind. Because unusual axolotl morphs are so rare, they can be quite expensive, but regular axolotls can be purchased for a fair price.
FAQs
How rare is a yellow Axolotl?
The golden bodies of gold axolotls, as well as their gold-tipped toes and fins, make them easily identifiable. They spawn at a rate of 24.98 percent, much like other common axolotls.
Are there light blue axolotls?
The moniker “Blue Axolotl” is inaccurate since this rare salamander is not blue at all. They’re actually dark grey or black, but in certain lighting, they appear blue. Black Melanoids is the most frequent name for them.
Do blue axolotls exist?
There are no blue axolotls. Many of them look to be blue or purple, but they are actually dark grey or black. The camera cannot return accurate colors that cause things to seem blue.
Can you get a blue axolotl from breeding?
Breeding a Blue Axolotl is the only way to obtain one without using instructions as of Minecraft version 1.17. Axolotl comes in five various colors: pink, brown, gold, cyan, and blue.
