Blue Gill

[iMedic]

Ok, so I apologize if this has been asked and answered already. Obviously I recently found out about Axolotls, and instantly fell in love with them. I've been compiling my research, to hopefully do my best to take care of my new friends. I do have more questions though. The first is about the leucistic axolotls. The particular one I want is whats apparently (a lot of my research has led me back to this site, you guys rock) called a "blue gill". I've seen a few photos, and they appear to be rare. Most commonly they have "pink" gills, due to the blood circulating through their gills. How can I ensure that I get a blue gill? Are there any certainties when purchasing eggs? Which bring me to my (this is going to get lengthy, I apologize again) second question. I've watched many videos of how they grow. Some people are saying that by isolating the axolotl and water dog during growth, you can eliminate the cannibalistic tendencies, and after graduating from juvenile, they can interact in a healthy behavior. Which isolation is usually a bad thing for concious beings. Also would it be more "healthy" for them to grow as they normally would? Survival of the fittest? My theory is to build a two stage terrarium. Where I would ideally like to half 60% water and 40% land. My perfect outcome would be to grow two axolotl and two water dog, and build a beach for the water dogs to metamorphs (?) into tiger salamanders, and live on land. While my axolotls would remain in the water? I'm guessing if they all grow from the eggs, hopefully four, will remain and size will determine if they will be allowed to live? Going back to my first question, if a blue gill is unobtainable, how rare are the silver dalmations? Same question about eggs. Also, yes I realize that its a gamble with any eggs, I'm just curious if there are any amount of certainties I could look for

 

[iMedic]

Ok, so 54 people have looked at this, and no responses? Are my questions that ridiculous? I'm obviously new here, and new to this amphibian care thing. Can anybody give me any answers?

 

[otolith]

Your questions aren't ridiculous but are all answered if you search the forum archives. As far as "bluegill" axolotl goes I think it refers to dirty leucistic or axanthic. Axolotls and what people call what morphs is not an area I have any interest in. There are no certainties when purchasing eggs, genetics are a funny thing and what eggs survive may not be what you're looking for aesthetically. Your best bet if buying eggs is purchase those from parents with the traits you want. It is probably cheaper to just buy the small juveniles with the colors you want. The axolotl group on Facebook has a classifieds section.

As far as your set up goes either keep tigers or keep axolotls or keep both in separate tanks. By housing them together you would be making poor compromises for the care of both species.

 

[iMedic]

Ok, thanks for letting me know. I'll check into those classifieds. I honestly didn't think it would be a big deal if they were separated, from land and water, I did notice salamanders are somewhat aquatic. Which would make sense. And then getting them as young jouveniles would be acceptable, to have them live together? The axies? From different... breeders? Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it

 

[michael]

blue gill is a recent name for a type that has been around for a long time. Many breeders don't use that term. If you expect answers keep your questions short and succinct.