How much can axololts see?

[Becco87]

Hi!
I'm just wondering how well axolotls can see. I'm asking this because my axolotl Tony seems to have very cloudy looking eyes and when he swims to the top and then back down, he just waits until his nose bumps the bottom of the tank, so I'm really not sure if he can see much!
Please let me know what you think.
Bec

 

[Daniel]

As far as I know an axolotls eyesight is really not the best - they might see some shadows and some moving objects too.
An more important organ for orientation, catching food and so on is the lateral line system.

 

[ianclick]

Hi Becco87

I agree with Daniel axie sight is not great. Because of the positioning of thier eyes they have better vision of things that are above them.

I have been looking for information on visual acuity for some time with no results so I am basing my opinion solely on my own observations of my three axies. Not very scientific I know but its all I have to go on.

The results to date are that they seem to have a very small field of vision which is greater when objects are above them. They seem to recognise shadows and light changes better than objects. They do not seem to be able to see the end of their tank. They seem to rely on smell for locating food that is close to them.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I tend to agree with Ian, I feed my axolotls at different ends of the tank, Jeffrey tends to be first as he positions himself in his ' I want food spot' and is therefor rewarded. When I don't make too much fuss Maude( aka Princess) doesn't have a clue whats going on. If she is right down the far end of the tank I can't reach her too easy ,so dispite frantic waggling of food she just carries on day dreaming....but the minute I am close enough..its watch out fingers! There was a time I would have said they could see much better as Jeffrey stalks me from one side of the tank to the other, but it seems its more like coincedence.

 

[Becco87]

Thanks very much! I didn't think he could see too well because as you were saying, unless I hold the food right in front of him he doesn't seem to notice!
Cheers
Bec