Question: Why is my axolotl changing color?

[palatimo]

My almost new axie is changing color she is a melanoid female (pale underbelly and everything else black) but sometimes when I come home I find her dark brown, pinkish gills, and sometimes she is light brown and vibrant red gills..... why?

 

[Shizeric]

When Axolotls are active, their bloodflow is increased and that changes the color of their gills/skin. When an Axolotl is resting, the bloodflow is slowed and their pigment becomes paler.

 

[palatimo]

so. Just to be clear. This drastical color changing is normal

 

[AuraCantos]

Sounds like it. ^_^ I have a lecustic that does the same thing. Her gills are usually a pale pink when she's resting, then turn a nice red color when she's exploring the tank and moving around. I haven't noticed my melanoid or wild type doing it, but the leucistic does it constantly.

 

[Morrison]

Sounds normal to me too. You can also see the 'activeness' (read: more bloodflow -> redness) in the gills.

 

[palatimo]

OK thanks for all the help. Guess I was just being paranoid