The Blue Axolotl is not a good name for this unique salamander because it is not blue. They are really dark grey or black, but in some lights, they might look blue. Most people call them “Black Melanoids.”
The Axolotl comes from Lake Xochimilco and Lake Calcho, which are in the southern part of Mexico City. Its name in the Aztec language, Nahuatl, means “water dog,” and it is linked to the Aztec god Xolotl.
| Species Name: | Ambystoma mexicanum |
| Family: | Ambystomatidae (salamanders) |
| Colour Form: | Black or Dark Gray |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Adult Size: | 10–12 inches |
| Temperature: | 60º–64° F is ideal |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 20-gallon (needs to be long) |
| Diet: | Worms, pellets |
Axolotl
The Axolotl is a type of amphibian (more specifically a salamander) that does not show the process of metamorphosis. When they are young, most amphibians have gills and live in water. As they grow up, they lose their gills, get lungs, and move to land.
On the other hand, axolotls keep their gills as adults and keep living in the water. Their gills, which look like feathers, are the thing that makes them stand out the most.
Axolotls also develop lungs. Even though they usually breathe through their gills, they sometimes use their lungs to take in air from the surface of the water. These animals spend their whole life span in the water, so they always have a tail and feet with webs to help them swim.
Size of blue axolotl
The average length of an axolotl is 23 cm or 9 inches. They can be pinkish or brownish green, and their mouths often make them look like they are smiling. Axolotls only live in the wild in Lake Xochimilco, which is outside of Mexico City.
They eat almost anything they can catch, like fish, worms, molluscs, and even bugs on the water’s surface. They are eaten by perch, tilapia, and birds, all of which are invasive species.
People love to keep axolotls as pets. They live in aquariums and homes all over the globe. This is due to the fact that they are easy to breed, hardy, and adorable enough to entice a large number of people.
Axolotls are also found in places like research labs. The Axolotl is studied because, like other salamanders, it can grow back body parts that have been lost. This means that if an axolotl loses a leg or a tail, it will grow it back, including the bones, muscles, and skin. They can also regrow organs, which is something scientists hope to be able to do one day with people.
Can you keep a blue axolotl as a pet?
Cute Axolotl pets are interesting animals that do make great pets. So, many people enjoy taking Axolotl as pets in their homes. They are curious amphibians that like to move around and learn about their environment. They don’t mind when their owners watch them, and they may even watch you back.
Their skin is very sensitive, so you shouldn’t touch them unless you have to. But it can be fun to have Axolotl as pets and watch them swim around the aquarium. They are not good for people who are just starting out unless they know how to take care of a tropical freshwater tank.
Appearance
This is what makes the Black Melanoid Axolotl special: its unusual look! These Axolotls are dark grey or black and don’t have any other colours on them. They have feathery, frilly gills that fan out on both sides of their necks, making them look like they are always smiling.
The fact that these salamanders keep their legs is another thing that makes them stand out. This is why they are called “Mexican Walking Fish,” even though they live their whole lives in the water and don’t really walk. Another interesting fact about Axolotls is that they can grow back lost limbs. If they lose their fins, eyes, or limbs, they can grow new ones. What cute little things!
Other than the Black Melanoid, the blue Axolotl comes in four other popular colours. There are more than the ones on this list, but they are very rare.
- Wild: The colour is brownish or tan with a hint of olive green and gold spots. You can only find these in the wild.
- Albino means white with pink or red gills and pink or white eyes.
- Leucitic: White, with bright pink or red gills and black eyes (one of the most popular Axolotls).
- Golden Albino: White to peach, yellow, or golden orange, with white, pink, or yellow eyes and peach-coloured gills.
Taking Care of a Blue Axolotl
Habitat Setup and Tank Conditions
A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a baby-cute Axolotl, while a 20-gallon tank is required for an adult. A longer tank than a shallower one is preferable because they prefer to float at the surface or wander around on the bottom. Make sure your aquarium has a cover or lid, as they are skilled at getting out.
You’ll need to ensure that the tank’s water has filtration mechanism thoroughly and that it flows slowly. Axolotl gills can be damaged if the water is not kept at the proper temperature and humidity.
It’s critical to use brackish water, a mixture of salty and fresh water, for this project. You’ll need a syphon to remove waste from the substrate every week, and you’ll need to change at least 20% of the water. This delicate equilibrium can disrupt if you totally drain and clean the water.
Lighting
In fact, they only need a small amount of light, and the tank needs to be kept out of direct sunlight because you can’t control the temperature.
Temperature: The Black Melanoid Axolotl does best at a temperature between 60o and 64o F. The blue Axolotl will be slow if the temperature is below 75° F, and temperatures above 75° F can cause stress and, in the end, death.
Tank
A young Axolotl can live in a 10-gallon tank, but an adult needs a 20-gallon tank. A longer tank is better than a deeper one because they like to float near the surface or move around on the bottom. Make sure your aquarium has a cover or lid, as they are skilled at getting out.
You must filter the water in the tank well, and the water flow should be slow. If you don’t keep the water up to the right standards, your blue Axolotl will get stressed, and its gills could get hurt.
It’s critical to use brackish water, a mixture of salty and fresh water, for this project. You’ll need a syphon to remove waste from the substrate every week, and you’ll need to change at least 20% of the water. This delicate equilibrium can be disrupted if you totally drain and clean the water.
More on Water
To keep your Axolotl healthy and free of stress, you must make sure that the water conditions are always at their best. You must know how to take care of a freshwater aquarium, which can be started with a formula you can buy at an axolotl pet store. That clearly means that you can buy an axolotl for sale.
You will need to buy a slow filter. In the wild, these amphibians live in lakes, so they need slow-moving, salty water. If you don’t buy a filter, you’ll probably have to change 20% of the water every day.
Feeding Your Blue Axolotl
Your Black Melanoid can eat both live food and soft pellets. Live food, on the other hand, could hurt your blue Axolotl. Adult Axolotls should be fed once every two or three days when they are not breeding.
Bloodworms, nightcrawlers, red wigglers, and soft, moist salmon pellets that sink are all good choices. For your amphibian, buy frozen worms rather than fishing worms, which may be infested with parasites. In addition to other Axolotls, axolotls will consume anything smaller than 3 cm in length.
Substrate
You can choose fine sand or nothing at all. You should stay away from small rocks or gravel because the blue Axolotl is likely to eat them, which will block the tube. Don’t buy things that are smaller than 3 cm. You can add big rocks for hiding spots and fake or real plants with soft leaves. Axolotls have delicate skin that is easy to tear.
Breeding
Before letting them breed, it is best to wait until your Axolotls are at least 18 months old. The typical breeding season is from March to June, but captive blue Axolotls can breed at any time if the water temperature is right.
The male and female do something like a dance, and then the male spreads packets of sperm around the tank. The female then eats the sperm, and the fertilisation happens inside her body. After a few hours or days, she will lay eggs all over the aquarium.
She could lay as many as 1,000 eggs, but it’s best to separate them after that.
Lifespan
Axolotls live longer than you might think! If you feed your blue Axolotl the right food and keep its environment and water clean, it can live up to 15 years.
If you’ve never had a pet before, you may not be able to care for a cat or dog properly.
Conservation Status
Even though there are a lot of blue axolotls in zoos, the IUCN Red List says they are critically endangered. The number of wild blue axolotls is going down because of things like habitat loss, pollution, and the spread of invasive species. There are less than 1,000 axolotls left in the wild, so the population is very small.
Conclusion
Axolotls have legs and lungs, but they don’t live on land. They always look like they’re smiling and can grow back lost parts of their bodies. The Blue Axolotl, also known as the Black Melanoid, is an amazing amphibian that would make a great new axolotl pet for someone. This is especially true with one who already has a lot of experience with aquatic axolotl pets.
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Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.
