Help with Axolotl colours

[Faithrae]

I recently just purchased two axolotl babies, around 6 weeks old today.

I was told the first picture is a Lucy and the second picture is a melanoid.

As the "Lucy" is growing, it seems to be getting darker and appears not to be a Lucy.

Can anyone help out and let me know what axolotl these are.

Thanks

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

I recently just purchased two axolotl babies, around 6 weeks old today.

I was told the first picture is a Lucy and the second picture is a melanoid.

As the "Lucy" is growing, it seems to be getting darker and appears not to be a Lucy.

Can anyone help out and let me know what axolotl these are.

Thanks View attachment 87307

There is common misinformation out there regarding axolotl morphs. The term melanoid simple refers to more melanophores and a lack of iridophores. Melanoids range from dark green, to black, to leucistic. You can have an axolotl that has the normal "lucy" coloring that is still a melanoid. The biggest difference between a leucistic and a melanoid leucistic (or white melanoid) is the eyes. Melanoid axolotls have a solid black eye because they do not express iridophores. Non-melanoids will have a shiny ring around their eye. Melanoids will also not have an shiny flecking or spots on their skin. That said, both of your axolotls are melanoid as they both have solid black eyes. Without knowing what their parents are, its hard to know what their exact genetic make-up is, hets, ect. but from the photos, I'd say you have 2 lovely leucistic melanoids. Some of that speckling may get darker as they age, but it could also disappear completely. I've had both happen with my babies.

 

[Faithrae]

There is common misinformation out there regarding axolotl morphs. The term melanoid simple refers to more melanophores and a lack of iridophores. Melanoids range from dark green, to black, to leucistic. You can have an axolotl that has the normal "lucy" coloring that is still a melanoid. The biggest difference between a leucistic and a melanoid leucistic (or white melanoid) is the eyes. Melanoid axolotls have a solid black eye because they do not express iridophores. Non-melanoids will have a shiny ring around their eye. Melanoids will also not have an shiny flecking or spots on their skin. That said, both of your axolotls are melanoid as they both have solid black eyes. Without knowing what their parents are, its hard to know what their exact genetic make-up is, hets, ect. but from the photos, I'd say you have 2 lovely leucistic melanoids. Some of that speckling may get darker as they age, but it could also disappear completely. I've had both happen with my babies.

Thank you so very much for the information.

I just asked the breeder what type their parents are and she said Lucy and melanoid.

Should their gills become more pink/red as they get older?

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Thank you so very much for the information.

I just asked the breeder what type their parents are and she said Lucy and melanoid.

Should their gills become more pink/red as they get older?

their coloring will continue to change as they grown. that bright pink/red color is usually more apparent after theyve eaten or are more active since it is influenced by blood circulation

 

[Neen84]

Hi I am new to this and I am looking for some help identifying the colours of my baby axolotls I hatched over Christmas thank you

 

[AMurry24537]

Hi I am new to this and I am looking for some help identifying the colours of my baby axolotls I hatched over Christmas thank you

The first picture is a wild type. The others appear to be albinos (could be either white or golden; the goldens can appear white, but the accumulate yellow as they grow) and then the others could be either dirty leucistics or very light wild types. The best way to tell is to know the genetic information of the parents.

 

[Neen84]

Thank you I don't know any on that as I got the eggs from ebay all I know is wild and albino mum and dad

 

[AMurry24537]

Thank you I don't know any on that as I got the eggs from ebay all I know is wild and albino mum and dad

Statistically, I believe it's more likely that the others are light wilds, but an albino and a wild can produce leucistics if the wild is het for it. Without knowing the specifics of the parents, you'll probably just have to wait, I'm afraid

 

[Neen84]

Statistically, I believe it's more likely that the others are light wilds, but an albino and a wild can produce leucistics if the wild is het for it. Without knowing the specifics of the parents, you'll probably just have to wait, I'm afraid

That's fine I love them all no matter what they are thank you