Axolotls are one of the most fascinating pets in the world. Known as the “Mexican walking fish,” they are loved for their smiling faces, feathery gills, and unusual bodies. If you have ever seen one swimming in a tank, you may wonder: do axolotls have scales like fish, or do they have skin like amphibians?
The simple answer is that axolotls do not have scales. Instead, they have soft, smooth skin that plays an important role in their survival. To understand this better, we need to look at what makes axolotls unique, why they lack scales, and how their skin helps them live both in nature and in captivity.
Why Axolotls Do Not Have Scales
Axolotls do not have scales because their skin is more than just a covering. It is a living organ that helps them breathe, stay hydrated, and protect against disease. Like other amphibians, axolotls can absorb oxygen through their skin. If they had scales, this process would not be possible. Their skin also helps them absorb water and stay moist, which is necessary for their survival.
The absence of scales makes them delicate, but it also allows them to survive in environments where oxygen levels in the water are low. This adaptation has helped them thrive in the lakes and canals of Mexico, where they are originally from.
Axolotls Are Amphibians, Not Fish
The first step to understanding axolotls is knowing that Axolotls are amphibians, not fish. Fish are covered in scales that protect their bodies and make swimming easier. Amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, usually have smooth, moist skin without scales. Since axolotls belong to the salamander family, they follow the amphibian rule: no scales, only skin.
This difference is important because it explains why axolotls need different care compared to fish. Their soft skin makes them sensitive to water conditions, temperature, and handling.
What Axolotl Skin Looks and Feels Like
Axolotl skin is smooth, slippery, and soft. It is covered with a thin layer of mucus that protects against infections and makes swimming easier. Unlike fish, which shine because of their scales, axolotls have a matte, velvety appearance.
Their skin color depends on their morph, or genetic type. Wild-types have dark brown or greenish skin with speckles, leucistic axolotls are pale pink with black eyes, albinos are golden or white with red eyes, and melanoids are very dark with no shiny pigments. Some axolotls even glow under UV light if they carry special fluorescent genes. These colors come from pigment cells, not from scales.
The Role of Skin in Breathing
One of the most important jobs of axolotl skin is breathing. Axolotls use three methods to take in oxygen: through their gills, through their lungs, and through their skin. Their skin is thin and full of blood vessels, which makes gas exchange possible. Oxygen passes directly into their bloodstream, and carbon dioxide is released.
If axolotls had scales, this process would not work. Their smooth skin is an adaptation that allows them to live in water that sometimes has lower oxygen levels. This makes them very different from fish, which rely only on gills for breathing.
How Axolotls Protect Themselves Without Scales
Fish use scales as armor, but axolotls rely on other methods for protection. Their skin has a mucous layer that works as a natural shield against bacteria and parasites. Their coloring also provides camouflage in the wild, especially for darker axolotls that blend into plants and mud.
Most importantly, axolotls have the incredible ability to regenerate. If their skin is injured, or even if they lose part of a limb, they can regrow it completely. This healing power helps make up for the lack of scales, although they still need to be protected from unnecessary injuries.
How to Care for Axolotl Skin in Captivity
Because axolotls only have skin and no scales, their care is different from keeping fish. Owners must be careful to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
Keep the water clean:
Dirty water quickly damages their skin. Perform regular water changes and use a good filter.
Avoid harmful chemicals:
Tap water should always be treated with a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines, which burn their sensitive skin.
Maintain the right temperature:
Axolotls need cool water, ideally between 16°C and 20°C (60°F to 68°F). Warm water stresses them and increases the risk of skin disease.
Choose safe decorations:
Avoid sharp rocks, gravel, or rough ornaments that could scratch their skin. Smooth sand or bare-bottom tanks are safer.
Handle gently:
Their skin is soft and easily damaged. It is best to avoid touching them unless necessary. If you must move them, use a container instead of your hands.
Common Skin Problems in Axolotls
Since their skin is delicate, axolotls are prone to certain issues.
Fungal infections: Appear as white, cotton-like patches on the skin or gills.
Bacterial infections: Show up as ulcers, swelling, or redness.
Shedding: Axolotls sometimes shed their outer skin layer, which is normal if it happens occasionally. Frequent shedding may mean poor water quality.
Chemical burns: Caused by untreated tap water or strong cleaning agents.
Most of these problems can be avoided by keeping their water clean, cool, and safe.
Do Any Amphibians Have Scales?
While axolotls and most salamanders have skin instead of scales, there are some exceptions in the amphibian world. Caecilians, a group of legless amphibians, have tiny scales hidden under their skin.
But salamanders and frogs, including axolotls, are always scaleless. This is one of the features that separates amphibians from reptiles and fish.
Fun Facts About Axolotl Skin
Axolotls can slightly change the shade of their skin to match their surroundings, especially wild-types. Their skin contains three types of pigment cells: melanophores (black or brown), xanthophores (yellow), and iridophores (shiny).
The combination of these cells creates their wide variety of colors and morphs. Some axolotls carry a special GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene, which makes their skin glow under UV light. Scientists use axolotls in research to study regeneration and healing, with their skin often being a focus of study.
Conclusion
So, do axolotls have scales or skin? The answer is clear: axolotls do not have scales. They have smooth, soft skin that allows them to breathe, stay hydrated, and fight off infections. While their delicate skin makes them more vulnerable than fish, it also gives them special abilities like skin-based breathing and regeneration.
If you are an axolotl owner, caring for their skin means keeping their tank water clean, cool, and free of harmful chemicals. Avoid sharp decorations, handle them as little as possible, and always watch for signs of infection.
By understanding that axolotls have skin, not scales, you can give them the right care and enjoy the company of one of the most unique amphibians in the world.
FAQs
Does an axolotl have skin?
In the wild, an axolotl’s skin typically matches the dark brown color of the muddy lake it calls home. I remember once watching axolotls resting near rocks, and their shades blended so well with the water. But when bred in managed care, they can show many colors like white, golden, multicolored, or even albino, which makes them look very different from the natural ones.
Will it hurt if an axolotl bites you?
When an axolotl bites, it typically does not hurt because their teeth are small and soft, mainly used for gripping rather than tearing. The bite may just feel like a slight pressure or a tickling sensation, though it can be surprising or even startling.
Sometimes an axolotl mistakes a finger for food and thrashes around while holding on, which might cause minor skin irritation or leave a faint mark. A Reddit user once described the feeling as being in a “vice grip,” which is a funny but true way to explain it.
Is it safe to touch an axolotl?
No, you generally should not touch an axolotl because their delicate skin and essential slime coat are easily damaged by handling, which causes stress and may lead to infections.
Instead of touching, it’s better to minimize contact to only what is necessary for tank maintenance, and use a soft net or container to move them. If you must handle one, ensure your hands are clean and free of soaps or moisturizers, and do it gently for the shortest time possible.
Are water dogs and axolotls the same?
No, water dogs and axolotls are not the same. While both are types of fully aquatic salamanders that retain their larval features, a Water dog is a common name for several species, notably the mudpuppy in North America or the larva of the tiger salamander.
Whereas the axolotl is a specific species, Ambystoma mexicanum, native to Mexico. The term also refers to the Aztec god Xolotl, from whom the axolotl gets its translation, but it does not describe a different creature.
