Can An Axolotl Be Considered A Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Commonly mistaken for fish, axolotls are unique among the amphibian family in that they spend their entire lives in water. Indeed,

axolotls are sometimes known as Mexican walking fish

, on account of their appearance and adopted habitat.

Is a axolotl a fish or a lizard?

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is

neither a fish nor a lizard

. This amphibian is a large, aquatic salamander native to the waterways of Mexico City. The two bodies of water where the axolotl originated, lakes Xochimilco and Chalco, gradually diminished in size as the city grew.

Is an axolotl a fish or a salamander?

Even though they look like otherworldly fish, axolotls are actually just

aquatic salamanders

. Axolotls are fully aquatic salamanders. They are currently part of the Ambystomatidae family within the order Urodela.

What is a axolotl classified as?

Amphibian

What fish can I put with an axolotl?


White Cloud Mountain Minnows

White cloud minnows are peaceful cool water fish that can make excellent tank mates for axolotls. Their lack of spines and shells makes them safe for axolotls to eat.

Can axolotl live with other fish?


Axolotls certainly can live with fishes or other freshwater creatures

. BUT either one will suffer or die eventually. So it is definitely in your pet axolotl’s best interest to be kept isolated from the other sea creatures or fishes.

What are baby axolotls called?

#1: A Baby Axolotl is Called

a Larvae

!

Baby axolotls are called larvae!

Are Blue axolotls real?


The Blue Axolotl is not an accurate name for this unique salamander since they are not blue at all

. They are actually dark gray or black, which could look bluish in certain lights. They are most commonly called Black Melanoids.

Do axolotls bite?


Yes, axolotls bite everything and anything that moves around in their vicinity

, but their teeth are too small to cause much pain. Axolotls aren’t aggressive to humans; they are simply hunting for food or nipping out of self-defense.

Are axolotls manmade?

Today, the axolotl is still used in research as a model organism, and

large numbers are bred in captivity

. They are especially easy to breed compared to other salamanders in their family, which are rarely captive-bred due to the demands of terrestrial life.

Do people eat axolotls?


We Try Deep-Fried Axolotl in Osaka

. It came to the attention of our staff recently that there’s a restaurant down in Osaka that serves deep-fried axolotl. You know, the Mexican salamanders. The ones that had an enormous boom in popularity in the 1980s.

Can axolotls be out of water?


No, axolotls definitely cannot live out of the water

! As an amphibian, they possesses both lungs and gills for breathing. But it has almost never been seen out of water for a prolonged period of time, it is simply not natural for them to be living out of the water.

How long does an axolotl live?

Axolotls can grow on average to a length of 9 inches (20 centimeters), but some have grown to more than 12 inches (30 cm) long.

In captivity, the salamanders live on average for 5 to 6 years, but some have lived for up to 17 years

, according to the University of Liverpool’s The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database.

Are axolotls semi aquatic?


They are aquatic

, and although they posses rudimentary lungs, they breathe primarily through their gills and, to a lesser extent, their skin. If axolotls spend prolonged periods of time in shallow water, their gills may be absorbed and they can begin using their lungs on land.

Can an axolotl turn into a salamander?

The tiger salamander and axolotl are related, but

the axolotl never metamorphosizes into a terrestrial salamander

. However, it’s possible to force an axolotl to undergo metamorphosis. This animal looks like a tiger salamander, but the metamorphosis is unnatural and shortens the animals lifespan.

Can axolotl live with Betta?


No, you should never put a betta fish in the same tank with an axolotl

. Betta fish are aggressive, they are territorial, and they are often bully fish too. Betta fish will pick on and attack axolotls, so they are absolutely out of the question.

Can 2 axolotls live together?

Axolotls are not a social species, so they don’t need a friend to be entertained. That being said,

it is perfectly ok to house axolotls together, as long as they are roughly the same size

. If one axolotl easily fits into the other’s mouth, chances are it will end up as a snack.

Can an axolotl live with a turtle?

Well-known member. I’m going to have to say

no, you cannot keep your axolotls with a turtle

. I’m not sure of the temperature requirements of the turtle but I would imagine they are significantly higher than those required for an axolotl.

Can ghost shrimp live with axolotls?

Ghost shrimp, also known as Amano shrimp or grass shrimp

may seem like a good addition to an axolotl’s freshwater tank

. These shrimp are bottom feeders, and scavenge the substrate for any food and do a good job with cleaning up. This will help keep the water in the tank clean and give your axolotl a cleaner home.

Can an axolotl live with a Pleco?

It is generally not recommended to keep any type of fish with Axolotls as they can nip at their gills or otherwise stress the axolotl.

Plecos are definitely not compatible with axolotls

for several reasons. One is the difference in needs for ideal living environment.

Are axolotls high maintenance?

Axolotls make fascinating pets but are an intensive commitment. Caring for a pet axolotl is complex and

requires a great deal of maintenance

. Axolotls require an aquatic environment with very specific temperature, water quality and husbandry requirements.

What Colour will my axolotls be?

They can range from a

dark green to a completely black color with dark purple gills

. Most melanoids also have a paler grey or purple belly. Some individuals look similar to a dark wild-type, but will lack the shiny golden iris seen in wild axolotls.

Do female axolotls lay eggs without a male?

Most eggs develop, and if are not fertilized, will be reabsorbed.

Female axolotls also may lay infertile eggs, but I think this is pretty rare

.

How do you say axolotls?

What is the rarest axolotl color in real life?


Lavender (silver dalmatian)

morphs are very rare axolotls. These axolotls are typically entirely lavender or light gray. This very light purplish color is contrasted by the silver to dark gray spots that speckle its entire body. The spots are what give it the name silver dalmatian.

What is the rarest axolotl?

The rarest axolotls are the

blue axolotls

.

Blue axolotls are extremely difficult to find. They have a spawn rate of only 0.083%, recognized by their indigo or deep blue bodies with purple details on the belly and fins.

Is there a black axolotl?


Melanoid Axolotl

Melanoid axolotls are often mistaken for those with the wild color, but they are different in several ways. They have more pigment in their skin than the wild type, giving them their bodies a dark brown or black color. These solid-colored axolotls have black gills and eyes.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.