Axolotls have been around for millennia. So, it’s not surprising that they have evolved in a myriad of ways. These funny-looking amphibians exist in many combinations of colors, patterns, and sizes. One type of axolotl that receives a lot of attention is the blue axolotl.
Many axolotl lovers have seen photos or videos of blue-looking axolotls online. Others have read stories about blue axolotls on blogs or in forums. Some have even looked into buying one. And, those who have tried to get their hands on a blue axolotl have done so in vain.
Many rumors circulate about their existence. However, there is very little credible proof that blue axolotls actually exist. Intrigued by this mystery, I decided to get to the bottom of it! So, are blue axolotls real? Do blue axolotls exist in real life? And if so, where could I buy a coveted blue axolotl?
Blue axolotls do not exist in real life. In other words, blue axolotls are NOT real. Some axolotls might appear blue, but there is no such thing as a naturally occurring blue axolotl. Blue axolotls can’t exist because axolotls lack the genetic code for the type of pigmentation that results in blue skin color. The photos or videos of blue axolotls that you might see online are likely photoshopped and fake. It’s also possible that under certain lighting conditions an axolotl may take on a blueish color. Finally, the axolotls may have been artificially dyed blue. So, if you’re looking to buy a blue axolotl you’re out of luck!
To understand why you might see a blue-looking axolotl, and to discover what colors axolotls really are, carry on reading.
Table of Contents
- Why Do Certain Axolotls Look Blue?
- Is It Safe to Dye Your Axolotl Blue?
- Alternative Ways to Make Your Axolotl Look Blue
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Certain Axolotls Look Blue?
Well, axolotls might appear blue in photos or videos for a number of reasons.
Axolotls Look Blue Because Of Camera Distortion
The first reason an axolotl looks blue could be the way in which the camera distorts the real colors, and fails to return the animal’s true colors.
Sometimes, cameras are unable to capture the real colors of a real-life scene. The images they create look different. In some cases, cameras can cause axolotls to look blue, even though they are not.
Axolotls Look Blue Because Of Lighting
The second reason an axolotl looks blue could be that the person behind the camera has set the axolotl up under colored LEDs or another lighting that is making the animal seem blue in color.
This would be particularly effective if your axolotl is a white albino, as they are very pale and would easily take on the color of the ambient lighting.
Axolotls Look Blue Because Of Blue Dye
The third reason an axolotl loos blue is because it was dyed. We really hope this is the least common explanation, as dying your animal blue just for fun is extremely cruel.
It could be that the owner of the axolotl has dyed their pet blue because they like the appearance of it, without understanding that this practice is actually dangerous and could be very harmful to the animal.
Axolotls Look Blue Because Of Morph
Another instance in which an axolotl might look blue is if it is a melanoid axolotl or a lavender melanoid/silver dalmatian axolotl. In some cases, under specific lighting conditions, these axolotls can take on a blueish hue.
Similarly, a variety of axolotls have small gold flecks adorning their skin, which might return shades of blue when caught on camera in certain lighting, for example, if a flash is used.
Whatever the reason behind it, blue axolotls are not actually real, and there is always a logical explanation behind them seeming blue in color.
Is It Safe to Dye Your Axolotl Blue?
Blue axolotls are so desired that many owners of these innocent amphibians choose to dye them blue. Although the result might look cool, it is undoubtedly harmful to the animal. It is not safe to dye your axolotl blue.
Toxicity To Axolotl
Dye is full of toxins, which could be absorbed into the axolotl’s bloodstream, tissue, and organs. These toxins could health issues. While these issues may not be obvious in the short term, in the long term they will not be good for the animal.
As far as I see it, dying your axolotl blue is incredibly unkind and is bound to make your axolotl ill. At the very least, they will experience discomfort. And, in worst-case scenarios, the dye could lead to the development of diseases in the axolotl and even death.
Risk Of Blindness
Dying your axolotl could result in the pigmentation getting into its eyes and making it blind. If the dye penetrates into your axolotl’s eyes it may remain there forever, and your axolotl will be forever injured, and either partially or completely unable to see.
Water Pollution
Dye could also pollute the water in the axolotl’s tank, which would make it harder for the animal to live in there and could equally harm the animal and any other creatures living in the tank (beneficial bacteria, tank mates, or live plants).
The polluted water would be really difficult to clean, and you might even have to replace all the water in the tank completely. This is a big effort and is certainly not worth it.
So, no matter how cool you think it would be to have a blue axolotl, the cons definitely outweigh the pros.
Alternative Ways to Make Your Axolotl Look Blue
Use Lighting To Make Your Axolotl Look Blue
As we now know, some axolotls appear blue because of the colored lights around them. If you really want your axolotl to look blue, you could purchase some multiple-colored LEDs to place near the tank.
Make sure that you get an LED that has a dim setting, to avoid harming the animal’s eyesight or making them feel alarmed. While using LEDs is safer for your axolotl than blue dye, bright lights can cause distress in axolotls, so should also be avoided if possible.
Use Photo Or Video Editing To Make Your Axolotl Look Blue
If you want your axolotl to appear blue in pictures or videos, but do not want to risk harming your pet by using dye or LEDs, a simple solution would be to edit your pictures and videos of your axolotl. This way, you can make your pet look blue in pictures and videos without causing them any distress in real life.
Final Thoughts
Mystery solved! Blue axolotls do not exist. You will not see a blue axolotl in real life. There is such a wide range of colors that axolotls come in, but blue is not one of them. If you see a blue axolotl, or one that looks blue, there will be a logical explanation for it.
Whether it has been dyed blue, the surrounding lighting is causing it to look blue, or the camera used to capture it has failed to return its true color, any axolotl you see will not be naturally blue in color.
If you are truly desperate to have an axolotl that looks blue, there are things you can do.
The most common colors of axolotls that look blue are melanoid axolotls, which tend to be black but can slightly lighten depending on their surroundings. In some lights, melanoid axolotls can look slightly blue. Then there are also lavender axolotls that have a mixture of purple and silver tones.
Technically, you can dye your axolotl blue. However, this method is very likely to cause animal harm, so we strongly advise you to refrain from dying your axolotl.
The safest way to make it look like you have a blue axolotl is to edit the photos and videos of your pet, without causing them any physical harm. You could also consider using dim blue lighting to give your axolotl a blueish tint.
Personally, we think that all the natural colors that axolotls come in are beautiful enough and that no animal needs to be changed. If you want to get an axolotl that is a similar color to blue, consider getting a melanoid axolotl or a lavender axolotl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Blue Axolotls Extinct?
There is no evidence to suggest that blue axolotls have ever existed. Therefore, it’s reasonable to suggest that blue axolotls are not extinct, because they never existed in the first place. The reason you cannot buy a blue axolotl today is not that they have gone extinct, but instead because they lack the genetic material that codes for blue pigments. Therefore, their skin can’t be blue.
How Can I Get a Blue Axolotl?
Blue axolotls don’t exist. Therefore you can’t get a real blue axolotl.
How Much Do Blue Axolotls Cost?
Blue axolotls don’t exist. Therefore you can’t buy a blue axolotl and they have no cost or price.
Are Blue Axolotls Expensive?
Blue axolotls aren’t real. Therefore you can’t buy one. Because they don’t exist, it doesn’t make sense to wonder if they are expensive.