Melanoid
Morph
Melanoid axolotls are Ambystoma mexicanum morphs with a darker, more uniform appearance and reduced reflective iridophores. Many look deep gray, charcoal, or black, sometimes with a velvety finish compared with the speckled shine of wild-type animals. Melanoid can combine with other traits, so breeders may describe animals as melanoid, melanoid albino, or other compound forms when the genetics support it.
A melanoid axolotl does not need warmer or brighter conditions to show its color. Like other axolotls, it should live in cool, clean water with stable filtration, hides, and gentle flow. Dark animals can make some injuries or skin changes harder to see, so keepers should watch behavior, appetite, gill shape, and body condition closely. Breeders should separate true melanoid traits from simply dark wild-type appearance, using parentage and repeated outcomes where possible. The best breeding decisions balance color goals with health, size, fertility, and sound development.
