Black Melanoid Axolotl

To protect our animals and to ensure they arrive healthy, axolotls ship directly from our dedicated breeding partner using expedited overnight service.

The Black Melanoid Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a deeply pigmented morph showing rich black, charcoal, and dark gray coloration across the body, gills, and eyes, with no shine or speckling to break it up.

Melanoids are the darkest axolotls available and make a dramatic contrast against pale sand and light decor. Their uniform coloring gives them a sleek, almost silhouetted appearance.

About This Axolotl

The melanoid trait increases dark pigment while removing the reflective iridophores that give wild type axolotls their gold flecking and shiny eye rings. The result is a matte, evenly dark animal without the speckling or metallic highlights seen on other morphs.

Gills are dark rather than the bright red seen on leucistic axolotls, and the eyes are solid black. Many melanoids appear darkest on light substrate and may lighten slightly to a deep gray in a bright aquarium.

Axolotls are neotenic salamanders, meaning they retain their larval features and external gills for life rather than transforming into a terrestrial adult. They remain fully aquatic from hatching onward.

Aquarium Care

Axolotls are cool-water amphibians and must be kept in a fully cycled aquarium with stable water quality. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so the aquarium should be established and tested before an axolotl is introduced.

Temperature is the single most important factor in axolotl care. They do best in cool water and become stressed once temperatures climb into the mid 70s Fahrenheit. A tank placed in a cool room is usually sufficient, although a chiller or clip-on fan may be needed in warmer climates.

Keep the current gentle. Strong flow causes stress and can fold the gill filaments back against the body. A sponge filter, or a canister outlet fitted with a spray bar, works well.

Tank Setup

Substrate choice matters more than almost anything else in the aquarium. Use a bare bottom or fine sand only. Gravel and small stones are readily swallowed during feeding and are a leading cause of impaction.

Provide caves, PVC pipe, terracotta pots, or other shaded retreats. Axolotls have no eyelids and prefer subdued lighting. Live or artificial plants and a partial cover will help them feel secure.

A 20-gallon long aquarium is the practical minimum for a single adult, with roughly 10 additional gallons for each further axolotl. Floor space matters more than depth. Pale sand makes a melanoid look its most dramatic and also helps it hold the darkest tone.

Avoid sharp decorations and any ornament with narrow openings an axolotl could become trapped in.

Diet

Axolotls are carnivores. Sinking axolotl pellets or soft carnivore pellets make an excellent staple diet, supplemented with earthworms, nightcrawlers, live blackworms, and frozen bloodworms.

Juveniles are generally fed daily, while sub-adults and adults are fed every two to three days. Offer food at the bottom of the aquarium where the axolotl naturally hunts, and remove anything uneaten to protect water quality.

Avoid feeder fish, mammalian meats, and hard-shelled foods. These can introduce disease or cause digestive problems.

Tankmates

Axolotls are best kept alone or with other axolotls of a similar size. Anything small enough to fit in the mouth will eventually be eaten, including nano fish, dwarf shrimp, and small snails.

Fish are not recommended. Many species nip at the exposed gill filaments, and most community fish require temperatures far too warm for an axolotl.

When housing more than one axolotl, keep them closely matched in size and provide separate hiding places and generous floor space. Smaller individuals may lose limbs or gills to larger tankmates.

Breeding Notes

Axolotls generally reach breeding condition between 12 and 18 months of age. The male deposits spermatophores that the female collects, after which she lays several hundred eggs on plants, decor, and aquarium glass.

Eggs hatch in roughly two to three weeks depending on temperature. Larvae need live foods such as baby brine shrimp and microworms from the moment they begin feeding.

Melanoid is a recessive trait, so pairing two melanoids is the reliable route to melanoid offspring. Larvae are cannibalistic and must be sorted by size, and a single clutch can produce far more young than most keepers are able to house.

Recommended Water Parameters

Temperature: 60° to 68° F (optimal 62° to 64° F)
pH: 6.5 to 8.0 (optimal 7.4 to 7.6)
KH: 3 to 8 dKH
GH: 7 to 14 dGH
Minimum tank size: 20-gallon long for a single adult, with approximately 10 additional gallons per further axolotl
Adult size: Approximately 9 to 12 inches
Typical purchase size: Varies by option selected, from 3 to 5 inches for juveniles to 8 inches or more for adults
Origin: Captive-bred; the wild species is native to Lake Xochimilco, Mexico

What We Like About This Axolotl

• The darkest axolotl morph available
• Uniform matte black with no speckling or shine
• Striking contrast against pale sand and light decor
• Solid black eyes and dark gills for a sleek look
• Hardy and straightforward to keep in cool water
• Stays fully aquatic for life

Important Notes

Depth of color varies between individuals and with surroundings. Some animals hold a true black while others sit closer to charcoal or deep gray, and a bright aquarium will often lighten the tone slightly.

Axolotls are a cool-water species and should never be kept in a heated aquarium. Sustained temperatures in the mid 70s Fahrenheit and above will cause stress and can lead to illness.

Fine sand or a bare bottom is strongly recommended, as gravel and small stones are a common cause of impaction. Axolotl skin is delicate and the skeleton is largely cartilaginous, so handling should be kept to a minimum and never done with dry hands.

Axolotl ownership and sale are restricted in certain U.S. states and jurisdictions. Customers are responsible for verifying that axolotls are legal to own and receive in their state and local area before ordering.
Shrimpy Business cannot ship to jurisdictions where axolotls are prohibited or require permits that have not been obtained. We are not responsible for animals refused, confiscated, or restricted due to local laws or regulations.

Select your preferred size above, from juvenile through adult male or female. Color, size, and markings vary between individual animals, and the axolotl you receive will not be identical to the photographs.