AXOLOTL : MEXICO'S ENDANGERED FISH : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED AXOLOTL : SALAMANDER WITH GILLS : HABITAT LAKE NEAR MEXICO CITY : MAYBE ONLY 50 -1000 LEFT IN THE WILD!

I must say that these Axolotl are some of the ----cutest ---- fish I've seen. But at a local library event I stopped in at recently, the children were crayoning coloring pages of this fish ---- and I had no idea it was actually critically endangered! My internet searches revealed that considering them play-things was common... IN FACT THERE ARE MANY YOUTUBE VIDEOS ENCOURAGING OWNERSHIP OF THIS FISH!!! 

I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA AT ALL!

Endangered species do not belong in home aquariums. If you have such a creature in a home aquarium I ask you - please - to contact your closest aquarium or university that has a marine biology program. I would like to see such fish united in a marine environment where they can live a more normal fish life and possible reproduce...

Earth Org : Spotlight on endangered species AXOLOTL


Excerpt: Unlike other amphibians, the axolotl is neotenic and does not go through metamorphosis, thus remaining aquatic and retaining its juvenile features into adulthood. A popular pick for the exotic pet trade, the ever-smiling, feathery-gilled axolotl is easily bred in captivity, having further piqued the interest of scientists and geneticists through its ability to regenerate parts of its body, such as its limbs, eyes, heart, spinal cord and parts of its brain. As such, the species’ plight is regarded as a conservation paradox: although abundant in captivity, rampant habitat degradation and disturbance has rendered the species critically endangered in the wild.