axolotl-danio Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 My friend and I were showing one of the international students from school around Nelson's Natureland Zoo and we came across a morphed axolotl in their aquarium. The sign read axolotl but It had no gills and they had given it land access. It was definitely an axolotl though, I own one myself. All the staff were busy so I was unable to ask if they had done anything to cause it to morph or if it was just by chance. I had always been under the impression it required specific chemicals in the water. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 They do morph on their own but its very very rare. Axolotls don't metamorphose into the salamander because of the lack of the thyroxine hormone produced by the thyroid gland. There is evidence of Iodine and thyroxine being used to force them to morph but it's incredibly stressful to the animal, It will also shorten in life span drastically and cause it to lose the ability to regenerate. There is no evidence to support the gradual lowering of the water level will force them to morph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I've just been told I got that wrong, Iodine is needed for the production of thyroxine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 They look cooler morphed. Not the ugly white and albino ones though. Bleah. Anyone have a link to anything official saying that morphed axolotls are an unwanted organism? Because none of the variations of their name, species, genus, etc that I can think of is listed on maf's unwanted organism register or has any hits on google. In fact, most of the hits are a couple fishroom posts from people saying they're unwanted. Kind of circular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Mexico is like NZ and has low iodine in the environment so they have developed around that and reproduce in the juvenile form. If they do that there is no point in encouraging them to morph. Get a fire bellied newt---better looking anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Mexico is like NZ and has low iodine in the environment so they have developed around that and reproduce in the juvenile form. If they do that there is no point in encouraging them to morph. Get a fire bellied newt---better looking anyway. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 i have older axys with no gills that don't go on land, still aquatic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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