Axanthic

What Axanthic looks like

Homozygous recessive at the Axanthic locus (ax/ax). Xanthophores are present but unable to produce pteridines (yellow pigment), resulting in a gray to silver animal with dark melanophore spots and iridescent speckling but no yellow or gold coloration. Can appear similar to a muted wild type. Distinguished from melanoid by the presence of iridophores (iridescent speckling is visible). Axanthic axolotls may retain trace amounts of yellow from dietary pigments absorbed by the non-functional xanthophores. Genotype: D/- A/- M/- ax/ax Cu/-.

The Axanthic locus controls xanthophore function. Homozygous recessive (ax/ax) animals have xanthophores that are unable to produce pteridines (yellow pigment), though the xanthophores themselves are still present and can store small amounts of dietary yellow pigments. The result is a gray to silver animal with dark melanophores and iridophores but little to no yellow coloration. Axanthic axolotls can appear similar to dark wild types, especially melanoid axanthics, making genotype confirmation from parents important.

How to identify it: Axanthic (ax/ax): Gray to silver body with dark spots/speckles. No yellow or gold coloring (or very minimal dietary-derived yellow). Iridophores present (unlike melanoid), giving some iridescent sheen. Eyes are dark. Can be difficult to distinguish from some wild type individuals. Lack of yellow is the key identifier. Axanthic + melanoid (ax/ax m/m) produces a very dark, nearly featureless animal that can resemble a pure melanoid.

How Axanthic is inherited

Axanthic follows a recessive inheritance pattern, carried on the Axanthic allele (locus Axanthic).

Combo morphs with Axanthic

• Melanoid Axanthic Copper (MAC)

  Triple homozygous recessive for Melanoid (m/m), Axanthic (ax/ax), and Copper (cu/cu). One of the most sought-after and expensive axolotl morphs. Melanoid removes iridophores, axanthic removes yellow pigment, and copper converts eumelanin to pheomelanin (brown). The net result is a unique lavender to purple-gray animal with a smooth, matte appearance. The lavender coloration arises because the copper-derived brown pigment, without yellow or iridescent interference, appears as a soft purple-lavender tone.

• Axanthic Copper

  Double homozygous for Axanthic (ax/ax) and Copper (cu/cu). Axanthic removes yellow pigment and copper converts eumelanin to pheomelanin. The result is a warm gray-brown animal with copper undertones but no yellow. Iridophores remain functional (unlike melanoid), so some iridescent speckling is visible. An important building block morph for producing the triple-recessive MAC.