The Elusive Copper Axolotl

[axowattyl]

Hi All,

This topic comes up from time to time, but it's fun and it's been a while.

Who out there in Australia (and elsewhere) has a real copper axolotl?

They are a fantastic color, and for some reason mostly in Australia and Germany??

The closest I've got is an olive spotted female with red gills, named "Gecko".

How about some new pics of this awesome colored axolotl?

 

[keiko]

My new baby is a copper. She's just over 10 cm now.
Sorry the pictures are bad.

 

[axowattyl]

Awesome!

Looks really healthy too.

 

[keiko]

Awesome!

Looks really healthy too.

She is really healthy, eating a ton of worms and growing nicely. Though she is a bit shorter than my other axies at that age.

The breeder told me that coppers (even males) often tend to be a bit shorter and rounder than other colors. Has anyone else noticed that or is it just the lines we have here?

 

[Geckogal]

This is my little Artemis.

She is about 5 inches and always hungry for bloodworms. ^_^

 

[axowattyl]

This is my little Artemis.

She is about 5 inches and always hungry for bloodworms. ^_^

Awesome again!

I didn't think there were any coppers in the US.

Does that one have gold rings in its eyes?

 

[Axl Rose]

Here's my copper baby Dixon

 

[keiko]

Here's my copper baby Dixon

He looks gorgeous. Looks like gold with some purple.

 

[axowattyl]

He looks gorgeous. Looks like gold with some purple.

Yes he is.

He also has a gold ring in his eye (possibly), which makes me think he may well be a variation of gold or olive.

 

[Geckogal]

Awesome again!

I didn't think there were any coppers in the US.

Does that one have gold rings in its eyes?

There are only a hand full of breeders in the U.S. that have them as of now. I believe the ones here are all of German/European decent.
Though I do love Aussie Coppers. I think their coloration and patterns to be just lovely.

Yes she does. And it seems as though every time I look at her more iridophores have appeared. Such a curious little creature.

 

[Ninja4H]

I'm no expert, but someone in another thread pointed out that my axie Jax was a copper. Didn't realize they were elusive. One more thing for his ego, I guess...

 

[Bette]

This is my little Artemis.

She is about 5 inches and always hungry for bloodworms. ^_^

She is gorgeous! May I ask where you got her?

 

[axowattyl]

These are all awesome examples, not a bad one yet!

One thing I'm noticing is that they often have gold rings in their eyes.

I was under the impression that the copper was an albino in the same way as a gold can be an albino, and that the eyes would have no coloration.

Certainly not a bad thing, just wondering.

How does that work (genetics experts please)?

 

[Bette]

These are all awesome examples, not a bad one yet!

One thing I'm noticing is that they often have gold rings in their eyes.

I was under the impression that the copper was an albino in the same way as a gold can be an albino, and that the eyes would have no coloration.

Certainly not a bad thing, just wondering.

How does that work (genetics experts please)?

I have the same question! Been wondering about this!

 

[keiko]

These are all awesome examples, not a bad one yet!

One thing I'm noticing is that they often have gold rings in their eyes.

I was under the impression that the copper was an albino in the same way as a gold can be an albino, and that the eyes would have no coloration.

Certainly not a bad thing, just wondering.

How does that work (genetics experts please)?

I'm not sure if anyone really knows the genetics behind a copper very well. My baby has a ring in her eyes but the middle is a bit reddish. Here is a link to the breeders website where I got my axies: Kidukset. If you scroll down the page there's a picture of a copper that shows pretty well the eye and they're the same as my baby copper's.

 

[Geckogal]

I received my copper from Jay Sommers.

Also, I posted this awhile back on another thread talking about genetics in axolotls.

We were talking about how different genetics affected one another, including the copper gene.
I did find something on tyrosinase. It is referencing snakes, but I am pretty sure the gene works similarly in amphibians.

 

[keiko]

A couple new pictures of my little copper. I really like how her color is developing. She's about 15 cm now.

 

[xxianxx]

These are all awesome examples, not a bad one yet!

One thing I'm noticing is that they often have gold rings in their eyes.

I was under the impression that the copper was an albino in the same way as a gold can be an albino, and that the eyes would have no coloration.

Certainly not a bad thing, just wondering.

How does that work (genetics experts please)?

Coppers from Europe ( which the US has) have pink eyes, those from Australia are non albino. They are different , though they share the same name.

 

[keiko]

Coppers from Europe ( which the US has) have pink eyes, those from Australia are non albino. They are different , though they share the same name.

German coppers that I know of and those that we have in Finland have the rings in their eyes. The middle part though is a bit red-ish. Not red but like brown with a some red in it and a red glow in a certain light.

 

[xxianxx]

Yes, the body colouration is similar but there's a difference in the eye, they are not the same morph. Idk what the genetics are but the coppers from Europe and Australia appear to have been thrown up independently from separate gene pools .
I actually have some European coppers ordered ATM , I was told that they are relatively slow growing , is this the experience of other keepers ?