Tired of ordinary fish? You’re in luck!
Axolotls make excellent alternative aquatic pets. On top of that, they’re also extremely easy to care for, making them a great first-time aquatic pet if you don’t already have experience with fish.
Below, we’ll tell you how much axolotls cost, as well as the factors that influence axolotl cost. Keep reading if you’re going to get yourself an axolotl sometime soon!
What Factors Influence Price in Axolotls?
So why do some axolotls cost more than others? Well, there are three different factors:
- The type of axolotl you’re buying
- The location you’re trying to buy an axolotl
- The person or company selling you the axolotl
Each of these can contribute to the overall cost of your axolotl. To learn specifically about each factor, read on.
The Type of Axolotl
Believe it or not, not all axolotls are made the same! Just like other types of pets, some types of axolotls are worth more than others due to their rarity.
For example, imagine a black German Shepherd versus an ordinary brown-patterned one. Black German Shepherds are much rarer, making them more expensive to purchase.
Axolotls are the same way. In fact, some are so rare they can cost over $1000 depending on the exact type!
If you’re a first-time axolotl owner, you might not care much about the type or color of your axolotl. You probably don’t want to, actually, especially as it’ll be your first time caring for one and you might not know what to look for yet.
If you’re an experienced axolotl owner, rare types may sound exciting for you. There’s nothing wrong with investing in a dream morph, as long as you’re still paying your bills!
The Location You’re Buying From
If you’re buying locally, the area of the world may change how much you spent on an axolotl. Axolotls will be cheaper if they’re from a region axolotls exist naturally.
If you’re purchasing from a region axolotls are not from natively, they may be more expensive since they were harder to acquire by the local pet trade.
Even so, always remember taking an animal from the wild to sell as a pet is not legal. You should stay within the pet trade itself at all times to avoid any potential legal issues.
Plus, it’s not nice to take an axolotl from their native home! Nobody wants a grumpy axolotl as a pet.
If you’re concerned about regional cost differences, some axolotl breeders will ship their axolotls to you. Check with your breeder to see if safe overnight shipping is an option for your axolotl.
The Seller You’re Buying From
You don’t want to get ripped off when getting your axolotl, but you want to be reasonable too. That’s why you should consider an experienced axolotl breeder instead of a pet shop.
Some places may be cheaper than others when it comes to finding an axolotl for sale. Private axolotl breeders may have more reasonable prices based on axolotl costs, while pet stores may jack up prices regardless of morph or color.
If you’re concerned about price gouging or getting a specific type of axolotl, reaching out to a breeder is your best bet. They’ll tell you exactly what they have, how rare it is, and how much it costs.
If you think the price is too high, consider our price recommendations below. We’ve compiled a list by color to help you see what’s reasonable when it comes to axolotls.
You’re welcome.
How Much Does Each Type of Axolotl Cost?
Common Axolotls
If you don’t want to look far and wide for an axolotl, your best bet is to settle on a common color. These types can be found in abundance by breeders and are often found at pet stores as well.
The most common axolotl types include:
- Wild
- White Albino
- Golden Albino
- Leucistic
- Speckled Leucistic
These morphs typically cost anywhere between $30-50.
Golden Albino and Speckled Leucistic are slightly more rare than their common types, so they’ll be on the higher end while the others will be on the lower.
With the exception of Golden Albino, which is yellowed, these are typically the colors you think of when you think of an axolotl: pink, white, and black.
Uncommon Axolotls
Looking for something a little different? Not to worry, there are more options in this category!
The types of uncommon axolotls include:
You may be wondering what a “GFP” axolotl is. Let’s explain it simply.
GFP stands for “Green Fluorescent Protein.” Lots of aquatic animals have this protein, and it gives them the ability to naturally glow!
GFP axolotls may have slight glowing abilities, but most of this will be able to be seen under blue light. Never use a blacklight, though, as it can impact your axolotl’s vision and potentially harm them.
The two Melanoid types are extremely dark and sometimes patterned. The Copper, on the other hand, is the rarest of the uncommon axolotls and is exactly that: copper.
Most of these morphs will run you anywhere between $50-80, with the exception of a Copper axolotl. Because it’s a bit rarer (but not SUPER rare, like a steak at a fancy restaurant) it’ll cost somewhere around $100.
Anything much more than this will be a rip-off for this category. Next.
Rare Axolotls
Rare axolotls are the ones experienced axolotl owners typically go for. Because they’re a greater expense up front, they’re typically only sold to experienced owners who know exactly what you want.
The rare colors of axolotl include:
They even sound cool.
Lavender axolotls are the cheapest on this list and will run you between $100-150. Piebald and Firefly, on the other hand, will cost somewhere between $200-350.
Enigma is the rarest morph on this list and by far the most expensive. $1500 is the average for this fancy salamander due to its unique black and white coloring, red gills, and golden eyes.
This rare color was created by an American breeder and is not typically seen anywhere else in the world. Even the most experienced axolotl owners may have a hard time finding this type!
There are a few other rare axolotl types, such as Chimera or Mosaic, but they’re so rare they are barely in the pet trade or sold at all. This means there is no recorded average price for them.
If you ever find one of these types, know you’ve basically got a real-life Pokemon on your hands. You won’t find it anywhere else.
To Summarize
In summary, the axolotl types and their prices are as follows:
- Common (Wild, White Albino, Golden Albino, Leucistic, Speckled Leucistic), $30 – $50
- Uncommon (Black Melanoid, Marked Melanoid, GFP, Copper), $50 – $100
- Rare (Piebald, Firefly, Lavender, Enigma), $100 – $1500
If the place you’re looking for axolotls at is selling outside these price ranges, you may want to consider finding a new breeder!
So You Want An Axolotl
Now that you know how much an axolotl will cost you, you’re ready to start saving up for your new aquatic friend!
Remember that the amount you’ll spend depends on:
- The type of axolotl you get
- Where you’re located
- The seller you buy from
If you keep that in mind, you’ll find the best possible axolotl for you and your home.
To learn more about caring for axolotls, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Melanoid Axolotl. Let us know which animal you want us to cover next, and we may pick yours!
Up Next:
- Axolotls In The Wild and As Pets: What do they eat?
- Axolotls Lifespan | How long do axolotls live as pets?
