FYI: I have a truly metamorphosed Axolotl - And I need advice? Pictures inside

[esoteric]

Hey thanks very much!

Definately more pics on the way! I think I will go and take some now and put them up. Will put a video of her up when I can get it working too.

I named her Princess, a silly name I know but I just think it suits her because she is so cute!

Totally agree... and thanks. :happy:

 

[Roz26]

More pics!!

She was so good keeping still for me :happy: Couldn't get a pic of her belly though! Here we go... isn't she cute :lol:

 

[Bellabelloo]

I think 'She' is lovely, but I think she might be a male. This is the first morphed axolotl that I have seen that looks good, very pretty.

 

[dragonlady]

That is the best example of a morphed axie I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, I do hope the version of events you got is correct. It's just the idea of someone "forcing" a morph truly sickens me.

I'm with Bellabelloo, I think you have a "Prince" rather than a "Princess"! I wish you the very best with him and look forward to hearing more.

 

[Ken Worthington]

What a lovely little beast......very very interesting!

Did it drink a bottle of "goo" ? :rofl:

YouTube - The Axolotl Song

 

[Roz26]

Thanks everyone :happy:

That video is hilarious!

I feel as though she is quite healthy, eating well, and her skin looks lovely and smooth/clean.

I wonder if I do have a Prince, and not a Princess... hmm

 

[Shizeric]

It's a bit too creepy for my liking, I'll keep my Axolotls will gills thank you very much...

 

[Roz26]

It's a bit too creepy for my liking, I'll keep my Axolotls will gills thank you very much...

Thats your opinion Eric and you are entitled to it

 

[deliriah]

I think "she" is beautiful. She looks healthy. I completely dissagree with forcing them to morph, but if your petstore's story is true. it can't be held against them. Definately post more pics.

 

[Azhael]

Well, the axolotl scaped for a reason...i think that can certainly be hold against them xD

 

[Roz26]

Well, the axolotl scaped for a reason...i think that can certainly be hold against them xD

Yeah the points everyone are making about the pet shop are perfectly valid, but they do have two axolotls who seem happy enough there in their aquatic plant tanks. I can't be 100% sure about what happened. But they are a fairly respected pet shop, I think it was just a truly freak accident! If they are at fault with poor water quality etc then shame on them but I see no evidence. Perhaps she was just feeling rebellious haha

 

[oceanblue]

I hope this thread does not inspire people to try to induce morphing by poor conditions.

My view is a properly artificially morphed axolotl is a less environmentally destructive introduction to salamander keeping than buying a captured a tiger salamander shipped halfway round the world with risks of parasites and ecological damage if it escapes.

It is important that people are honest in how a creature came to be the shape it is and if someone is regularly producing morphed axolotls through poor conditions at the wrong age they risk prosecution for animal cruelty. If they are artificially morphing with hormones they should be honest and admit their actions and be able to assure you an appropriate treatment regime was used.

Here is a picture of mine, its gill slits are closed but there are small residual gill rami. It is leucistic but always was more mottled than most. It seems to be thriving but it is early days yet!

 

[Roz26]

I hope this thread does not inspire people to try to induce morphing by poor conditions.

My view is a properly artificially morphed axolotl is a less environmentally destructive introduction to salamander keeping than buying a captured a tiger salamander shipped halfway round the world with risks of parasites and ecological damage if it escapes.

It is important that people are honest in how a creature came to be the shape it is and if someone is regularly producing morphed axolotls through poor conditions at the wrong age they risk prosecution for animal cruelty. If they are artificially morphing with hormones they should be honest and admit their actions and be able to assure you an appropriate treatment regime was used.

Here is a picture of mine, its gill slits are closed but there are small residual gill rami. It is leucistic but always was more mottled than most. It seems to be thriving but it is early days yet!

Ahh it's gorgeous!!

The most similar to mine i've ever seen...and I totally agree with your views, but must stress once again that there was no dodgy business going on with mine....the petshop I got her from specialise more in fish...they just got a few axolotls to put in their plant tanks as something for the customers to look at...I could tell by the way they told me that they had been totally shocked when it happened!

 

[Shizeric]

This thread makes me want a tiger salamander.

 

[oceanblue]

This thread makes me want a tiger salamander.

You are in or near tiger salamander territory! The bait industry does a great deal of harm shipping tiger salamander larvae around but raising a few locally wild caught larvae does not usually harm the local population.

The situation is rather different in Europe where tigers are not native. The few tigers I have seen in pet shops were not captive bred and did not look healthy. If an artificially morphed axolotl were to escape the chances of it breeding are low and even if it did the offspring would be confined to site. This would not apply to morphing hybrids as some of their offspring will have the ability to become terrestrial.

I would rather see a healthy morphed axolotl trade or a truely captive bred tiger salamander trade than the present snatched from wild bait industry based trade.

 

[Roz26]

Some questions to everyone that has shared their opinions :happy:

1.) Which plants will be suitable for her new enclosure i.e mosses, ferns etc? I am aware I must ensure they have not been exposed to pestcides etc.

2.) What potential other tankmates could she have? Could I house her with other salamanders for instance tigers?

Thanks

 

[bunny27]

This thread makes me want a tiger salamander.

LOL, me too.

Anyways, I hope for the best for you Roz26 and your morphed axolotl. Good luck and keep updating us! He's very beautiful!

 

[actress8252]

As for life expectancy and stress. As I've understood it. If the morphing is natural the animal doesn't really have a shortened lifespan, but if induced unnaturally, especially when it is has matured there are a number of severe complications, and the animals really don't live very long. I don't think there is much evidence that a naturally morphed axolotl would not live as long as a naturally morphed tiger salamander. And surprisingly little is available about salamander lifespans. I think this is a point that should be clarified.

I'm very new to the axolotl-salamander scene, and became interested because i am planning on getting my first axie soon, but i this post confused me compared to everything else ive learned about metamorphosed axolotls. Is it possible for an axolotl to metamorphose completely naturally, or does it always have something to do with drastic conditions or experiments?

Btw, lovely pictures and a very interesting story I hope it survives for a while!