Smaller eyes

[LoriML]

Hey guys! Any thought here with a couple of my hold backs? Didn't want to regime these guys until I know they're heathy, or expected outcomes. 2 juvs have 1 eye that's larger than the other. 1 little guy is super cool, looks like he'll be pretty heavily freckled, but both eyes are smaller than normal. They all eat ok. But I'm having. A hard time figuring out if they have vision problems or not.
Any thoughts are welcome! Thanks!!

 

[LoriML]

I really struggle with uploading pics on this site.

 

[twinkle]

Glad I'm not the only one with photo prob ! I'm not experienced to answer your question , but someone will help , it's a great site .

twinkle

 

[Donna001]

Hi Lori.
I've never seen smaller eyes on an axolotl before.
I was under the impression that all axolotls had quite poor eyesight and generally found their food by scent as they grew up. So if your little ones are feeding fine, sight problems or not, they don't really seem to be bothered by different size eyes.
Perhaps one of the more experienced keepers has more information, but I think your little ones look sweet. :happy:

 

[LoriML]

Hi Lori.
I've never seen smaller eyes on an axolotl before.
I was under the impression that all axolotls had quite poor eyesight and generally found their food by scent as they grew up. So if your little ones are feeding fine, sight problems or not, they don't really seem to be bothered by different size eyes.
Perhaps one of the more experienced keepers has more information, but I think your little ones look sweet. :happy:

Thanks for your reply. Yes, that's why I'm having a hard time with the eyesight question. They're definitely eating ok. Just curious if anyone had any long term experience with these guys I guess. They are sweet. I certainly love all of them, but the top guy is so special
Thanks

 

[sully]

I was born with one eye bigger than the other why couldn't that happen to axolotls. It's probably just a birth defect. If they're eating fine I wouldn't worry.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Its just genetic, nothing to be concerned about

 

[Elise]

I have a pair of eyeless axolotls - eyeless mutant gene (e) - and they display no abnormal behavior or have any troubles with food. One interesting result of the mutation is darker pigmentation and more elaborate patterning. It is understood that the eyes are a factor in the amount of pigmentation present by controlling the amount of melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) released from the pituitary. Without eyes, the pigmentation is darker. I wouldn't be surprised if the ones with smaller eyes become marginally more pigmented than their siblings with larger eyes.

 

[LoriML]

I have a pair of eyeless axolotls - eyeless mutant gene (e) - and they display no abnormal behavior or have any troubles with food. One interesting result of the mutation is darker pigmentation and more elaborate patterning. It is understood that the eyes are a factor in the amount of pigmentation present by controlling the amount of melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) released from the pituitary. Without eyes, the pigmentation is darker. I wouldn't be surprised if the ones with smaller eyes become marginally more pigmented than their siblings with larger eyes.

Oh interesting!! The 2 with one small eye each have the normal leucy coloring without freckles (so far) but the 1 with both smaller eyes definitely has some fun coloring going on! I can't wait to watch him grow!