Purple Axolotls Where are they all at?

[Coastal Groovin]

I keep hearing about purple axolotls for the past couple years but I have only actually seen a small handful of pictures and actual owners? Why is that? Are they week and die off before adulthood. You would think there would be thousands out there by now but it doesn't seem to me the case.

 

[auntiejude]

One theory is that purples are axanthic, and since the axanthic gene is faily rare so are the purple axies. Add to this the tendency of non-albino axanthics to be a bit weak, and you've got a rare colour.

 

[Coastal Groovin]

If they are breeding true and are a strong line someone should be producing thousands every year by now but that isn't the case.

 

[rachel1]

If it is in fact a variation on the axanthic mutation, survival rates are low because they all carry a virus. Only the ones that are also albino are hardy animals. Here's an article on the skin in axanthic animals that mentions the virus they found.