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Axolotls are illegal in California. Please read this thread for detailed information and links to the actual laws: https://www.caudata.org/threads/axolotls-are-illegal-in-california-here-are-the-relevant-laws.30779/
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Question: Leucistic color variations intrigue?
- Thread starter rumsey232
- Start date
auntiejude
New member
You need to understand how the leucisitc gene works.
It is not actually a colour, it is a pattern where the pigments produces are restricted to the head and spine.
As such they can and still do produce a certain amount of xanthaphores (yellow/orange pigment).
Sometimes the leucisitc gene doesn't work properly, allowing pigment in places you wouldn't normally see it - like with piebalds. And this can apply to xanthaphores too, hence the all-over yellowish colour.
But once you add in the GFP gene (green fluorescent protein) that gives a general all-over yellow-green hue you get axies like the one in your picture.
And add to that the fact that some pellets, such as those with astaxanthin, can cause build up of pigment in the axies skin as well and you can get a range of colours!
It is not actually a colour, it is a pattern where the pigments produces are restricted to the head and spine.
As such they can and still do produce a certain amount of xanthaphores (yellow/orange pigment).
Sometimes the leucisitc gene doesn't work properly, allowing pigment in places you wouldn't normally see it - like with piebalds. And this can apply to xanthaphores too, hence the all-over yellowish colour.
But once you add in the GFP gene (green fluorescent protein) that gives a general all-over yellow-green hue you get axies like the one in your picture.
And add to that the fact that some pellets, such as those with astaxanthin, can cause build up of pigment in the axies skin as well and you can get a range of colours!
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Shane douglas:with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??+1
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Thorninmyside:Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation+1
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Clareclare:Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?+1
Clareclare:
Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus...
+1