Axolotls by Debbie

05/31/2026

It’s a good day to be alive. God’s angels are singing from Heaven. Can you hear them? Be quiet and listen. ❤️

05/28/2026

Warmer weather is here. Be sure your tanks don’t get higher than 68F. Some good steps to take:
-Buy a chiller if budget allows.
-Float frozen ice bottles in tank. Be sure to add a little Prime to the bottle in case it leaks.
-Place a small fan on top of tank to help cool water through evaporation. You can buy egg crate light diffusers at Home Depot to cut to size for a tank lid. Fans easily set on top of these. (Pics below)
-Insulate the sides of your tank with foil insulation. (pics below)

05/28/2026

Only 4 left. So pretty.

05/15/2026

05/05/2026

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Read All About It! Do you need your heart stolen?

05/02/2026

Oh look at this little hypomelanistic. Such a cute and sparkly little one.

04/30/2026

I have a number of followers asking more about Firefly axolotls. This is a quick synopsis. I will add more information as needed. I am not here to bash any particular people involved with this practice. I am simply doing my part to be sure axolotl enthusiasts are educated on them. If this is upsetting to you, please move on to something else. Blessings to all.

Key Facts Regarding Firefly Axolotls:
Artificial Creation: They are produced by cutting and fusing tissue, typically on sedated hatchlings or embryos, to create a specific, striking aesthetic.
Not Genetic: The pattern is not hereditary and cannot be passed down through breeding, as it is a result of physical manipulation.
Ethical Concerns: The practice is widely considered unethical due to the unnecessary, invasive, and painful surgery performed on animals for cosmetic reasons.
Distinction from Mosaic: Unlike Firefly axolotls, "mosaic" axolotls are natural, genetic occurrences where two different cells merge during development.
Origins: The technique was initially developed by researchers like Lloyd Strohl II to study melanocyte distribution, but it has become a controversial, for-profit practice.

Due to the invasive and cruel nature of this procedure, many in the aquarium community advise against purchasing or supporting the creation of Firefly axolotls. You may find them listed as Moon Bugs and other names also as the people creating them are trying to disguise what they are. There are some that are trying to improve the process by attempting to perform the procedure on axolotl embryos in the egg. Good for them, I guess. My question is this though… Why do they need to change their process if what they were doing prior was not inflicting pain? They claimed it wasn’t. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

04/24/2026

For informational purposes only…another name they have given to fireflies. 😢