GFP Copper Axolotl

To protect our animals and to ensure they arrive healthy, axolotls ship directly from our dedicated breeding partner using expedited overnight service. The GFP Copper Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) pairs the warm copper and caramel coloring of the copper morph with the Green Fluorescent Protein trait. Under normal lighting it shows soft copper tones and caramel freckling. Under blue or ultraviolet light it fluoresces green. Copper is already one of the more sought-after morphs, and the GFP trait makes this one of the more uncommon axolotls we are able to offer. About This Axolotl Green Fluorescent Protein originates from a jellyfish gene that has been used in amphibian research for decades and is now well established in captive axolotl lines. The protein absorbs blue light and re-emits it as green, which is what produces the glow. GFP is an inherited trait, not a treatment or a dye. It affects appearance only and has no bearing on health, temperament, lifespan, or care requirements. The lighter copper base allows the fluorescence to read more strongly than it does on a wild type or melanoid animal. 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 and driftwood suit the warm copper tones especially well. A dedicated blue LED is the practical way to enjoy the GFP trait. Use it briefly and sparingly rather than as the main aquarium light. 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. GFP is inherited as a dominant trait while copper is recessive, so pairings must be planned carefully to reproduce both. 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 • Warm copper and caramel tones under normal light • Green fluorescence under blue or ultraviolet light • Lighter base lets the glow read more strongly • Caramel freckling and distinctive reddish eyes • An uncommon combination of two desirable traits • Hardy and straightforward to keep in cool water Important Notes The GFP trait is only visible under blue or ultraviolet light. Under normal aquarium lighting the animal will simply look like a copper axolotl. Copper tone, freckling, and glow intensity all vary between individuals. Blue and ultraviolet lighting should be used in short sessions rather than continuously. Axolotls have no eyelids and prefer dim conditions. 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.