Axolotls turn brown for a number of reasons. They are a unique species of salamander native to Mexico and they are closely related to newts. They have an eel-like appearance with their feathery gills and long bodies, but they also have the limbs of a land animal.
This makes them fascinating creatures that can be kept as pets in captivity by owners who are willing to provide them with proper care.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Axolotls can turn brown due to various factors such as stress, genetics, and environmental conditions. |
| The brown coloration in axolotls can serve as a natural camouflage, helping them blend in with their surroundings. |
| Brown axolotls can be a result of a genetic mutation known as melanism, which causes an increase in dark pigmentation. |
| Changes in water temperature, water quality, and diet can also impact the coloration of axolotls. |
| It’s important to provide a suitable and stress-free environment for axolotls to maintain their natural coloration. |
A genetic mutation causes melanoid axolotls to become brown
A genetic mutation causes melanoid axolotls to become brown. Melanoid axolotls are just as beautiful and unique as their normal-colored cousins, but they’re much more rare.
This coloration is a recessive trait, so when two melanoids breed together, all of their offspring will be melanoids even if one parent was normal-colored.
If you have an entire tank full of normal-colored axolotls and only one melanoid in it, you can expect to see some brownish babies every once in a while!
Have you ever wondered why axolotls turn black? Discover the fascinating color transformations in axolotls and learn more about this phenomenon in our comprehensive guide on why do axolotls turn black.
Something in their diet will change the axolotl’s color to brown
Axolotls are omnivores and will eat just about anything that fits in their mouths. They eat worms, insects, fish, and even small rodents. While they can’t exactly hunt for their food or catch it on their own (if you want to keep your axolotl well fed), they do require a variety of foods to get all the nutrients they need.
They’ll also go after live prey if given the opportunity!
So what happens when you feed your axolotl something that isn’t good for them? Well let’s find out by looking at some examples of common foods that can cause browning in axolotls:
| Diet Item | Color Change |
|---|---|
| Food Brand X | Brown |
| Food Brand Y | No Color Change |
| Food Brand Z | Brown |
| Food Brand A | No Color Change |
| Food Brand B | Brown |
They are in brumation
Brumation is a natural process that some amphibians undergo in order to survive the cold weather. It’s a state of torpor, during which the temperature and oxygen levels inside their bodies drop as they slow down their metabolic rates.
The axolotls will stop eating, lose interest in their surroundings, and eventually turn brown as they go through this hibernation period. They can stay like this for up to six months longer if it’s especially cold out (though it’s unlikely your pet will live that long).
If you notice that your axolotl has suddenly turned brown at home one night or morning, there’s a good chance he’s entering brumation at last! You can tell by how long his skin color stays pale: if it lasts more than two days without feeding or activity, then he may be preparing himself for hibernation season.
The incredible ability of axolotls to morph is truly remarkable. Explore the science behind this fascinating process and delve deeper into the topic of why do axolotls morph in our informative article.
Lost their pink color due to stress
When your axolotl turns brown, it’s usually due to stress. Stress can be caused by changes in the environment, or by other animals in the tank. For example, if you just added a new fish to your tank and your axolotl hasn’t had time to adjust yet, he might feel threatened by the newcomer and lose his pink color as a result.
Stress can also be caused by illness or injury (like when you accidentally step on an axolotl’s tail). If your pet is feeling stressed out because of unexpected changes in his environment—say you move him from one tank to another he might turn brown for several days until he gets used to his new surroundings again.
If you haven’t fed your little buddy recently or if there isn’t enough food available for him at all times, that could also cause stress which might lead him towards turning brown!
The Axolotl is ready to breed
At the end of their breeding season, female axolotls will be pregnant. Eggs are developing in their ovaries and will soon be laid. The eggs will hatch within about a month, so if you want to see your axolotl spawn and give birth, you’ll have to wait until spring comes back around again (usually around March or April).
Pregnant and gestating an egg cluster
An egg cluster is a group of eggs that are laid by an animal. These can be laid out of water or in water, depending on the species.
Egg clusters have a tendency to turn brown, especially in axolotls. This is because the female axolotl’s body begins secreting hormones that cause the eggs inside her to hatch into tadpoles and then eventually emerge as fully formed salamanders.
The result is that while they are still developing inside their mother’s womb, they begin producing melanin (the pigment responsible for giving animals their skin color).
Axolotls are known for their unique frills, but have you ever wondered why they have them? Discover the purpose and significance of axolotl frills in our in-depth exploration of why do axolotls have frills.
Having a baby, or laying eggs (Amelogenesis imperfecta)
Axolotls can lay eggs. It’s not uncommon for female axolotls to lay eggs, but it is rare for males to do so. If you notice your axolotl has laid eggs and you want to try to hatch them yourself, there are a few things you need to know about the process:
- Eggs will be laid in clusters (usually around 30)
- The egg cluster will float on the surface of the water until hatching
- The incubation time is approximately two months at room temperature (about 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius)
| Reproductive Condition | Color Effect |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | No Color Effect |
| Egg-Laying | No Color Effect |
| Amelogenesis Imperfecta | Potential Color Abnormalities |
Browning from water quality issues
If your axolotl is browning, it’s probably because of poor water quality. You can test the water conditions with pH strips and a drop test kit to measure ammonia and nitrite levels. High levels of these chemicals in your tank will cause stress on your axolotl, which may result in brown coloring as a symptom.
If you suspect that poor water quality is causing this issue, here are some steps you can take:
Check the pH level of your tank by using a pH strip (available at pet stores). The ideal range for most amphibians is 6-8; readings outside that range indicate an imbalance in bacteria growth, which could lead to disease or infection within your pet.
If necessary, adjust accordingly by adding more distilled water or vinegar until you get closer to 6-8 on the strip tests; then keep track as you monitor progress over time so that future adjustments aren’t needed again!
Test for ammonia–and if present–nitrites using drops from a bottle provided by your vet/pet store manager. Ammonia should not exceed 0 ppm while measuring nitrite content should ideally not exceed 5 ppm at any given time when both occur together.”
Brown spots on axolotl tail and limbs (Fox spotting)
I have read a lot of posts about people who have brown spots on their axolotls. I also have this problem with my axolotls. The good news is that it is not harmful at all! It only means that your salamander has been through stress in one way or another, or maybe it was just exposed to too much light.
I call this condition “fox spotting”. The reason why they look like foxes is because they are actually called waterdogs in Latin America, where they come from.
They are also known as Mexican salamanders or neotenic salamanders. Neoteny refers to the retention of juvenile traits into adulthood, which means that adults still look like juveniles (or babies).
Note: This article assumes that you already know how to care for your pet properly and provide its needs so don’t worry if you don’t understand everything below yet!
Water is the natural habitat of axolotls, and there are specific reasons behind their preference for this environment. Dive into our article on why do axolotls live in water to gain insights into the adaptations and behaviors that make water essential for their survival.
Stunted growth causes dark coloration and dwarfism.
Axolotls usually turn dark brown as they grow older. This is because their body is not fully developed, which causes their body to stay small and stunted. As a result, the axolotl’s skin color becomes darker and ranges from brown to black.
They were exposed to dryness in the tank.
You may notice that your axolotls are turning brown. If you have been keeping your axolotls in a dry tank, it is likely that they have dried out and will turn brown.
This color change is a sign of dehydration and can be very dangerous for your axolotls. If they are exposed to dryness for too long, they will die from dehydration.
| Tank Condition | Color Change |
|---|---|
| Dry Environment | Brown |
| Moist Environment | No Change |
Affected by age
It’s important to note that ageing axolotls turn brown not because they’re sick, but simply due to the natural process of their skin regeneration slowing down as they age.
Axolotls are capable of regenerating their skin throughout their lifetimes and will turn brown when this process slows down or stops altogether. This is nothing to worry about; it’s just nature taking its course!
Health problems like fungal infections or tuberculosis cause Axolotls to turn brown.
If your axolotl has turned brown, there are a few things you should do to make sure it’s healthy. First, check out their tank and see if there are any signs of fungal infections or tuberculosis. If these are present, they should be treated immediately!
If your pet doesn’t seem to be suffering from either of these problems, then the next step is to take your pet to a vet for a checkup. The vet will want to run some tests on your axolotl first before making any diagnoses about why its skin has turned brown.
Curious about the peculiar behavior of axolotls eating each other? Uncover the reasons and underlying factors behind this behavior in our comprehensive guide on why do axolotls eat each other, shedding light on the intriguing social dynamics of these unique creatures.
Major change in pH levels of the water they live in.
One of the primary reasons why axolotls turn brown is because of a major change in pH levels. Axolotls are very sensitive to their surroundings and can react negatively if their water quality is not kept at a specific level.
For example, if you have an axolotl that’s been living in one environment for quite some time, it may take them a bit longer time to adjust to changes in the tank or water conditions.
The ideal pH level for axolotls is 7.0 or higher, so you should make sure that this value stays within this range at all times during the life cycle of your pet. If not maintained properly such as when someone adds medicines or chemicals into the aquarium this can cause stress on your pet and potentially lead to discoloration (browning) due to stress.
A good way to ensure proper maintenance of these values would be through frequent cleaning/water changes every week (around 25%).
Conclusion
The bottom line is that when the axolotl turns brown, it could be for a variety of reasons. The more you know about your pet’s environment and how it interacts with its food and water, the better prepared you’ll be to handle any changes in coloration or behavior.
It’s important not only for your own peace-of-mind but also because some of these conditions can be indicative of ill health.
Further Reading
Axolotl Color Morphing: Discover the fascinating process of color morphing in axolotls and learn about the various factors that influence their color changes.
Axolotl Colors: A Comprehensive Guide: Explore the wide range of colors and patterns seen in axolotls, from the common to the rare, and gain insights into the genetics behind their vibrant appearances.
A Guide to Axolotl Colors: Dive into the world of axolotl colors with this comprehensive guide, showcasing the stunning array of hues that these unique amphibians can display.
The above URLs provide additional information on axolotl colors, including insights into color morphing, a comprehensive guide to various colors and patterns, and in-depth coverage of axolotl colors as a whole.
And here’s the FAQs section:
FAQs
How do axolotls change color?
Axolotls can change color due to various factors, such as age, stress, environment, and genetics. Changes in pigmentation and the presence of different color genes contribute to their ability to change color.
What are the different colors that axolotls can have?
Axolotls can come in a wide range of colors, including wild-type (dark with gold specks), leucistic (white with pinkish hue), albino (pale pink with white), melanoid (all-black), golden albino (golden with white), and various other color morphs and patterns.
Are certain colors more common in axolotls?
Yes, wild-type and leucistic axolotls are among the most common colors found in axolotl populations. However, there are many other color variations that can occur, some of which are rarer.
Can axolotls change color throughout their lifetime?
Yes, axolotls can continue to change color throughout their lifetime. As they grow and mature, their coloration may shift or intensify, influenced by factors such as hormones, environmental conditions, and genetic variations.
Do axolotl color changes indicate health issues?
Color changes in axolotls can be normal and unrelated to health issues. However, sudden or drastic changes in color, especially when accompanied by other unusual behavior or symptoms, may be a sign of underlying health concerns and should be monitored and addressed accordingly.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.