Quick answer: Yes, axolotls have eyes. Two small eyes, one on each side of their head.

But here’s the confusing part some axolotls look like they don’t have eyes at all. And some actually ARE born without eyes.

Yes, Axolotls Have Eyes

Normal axolotls have two small eyes on the sides of their head, just like most salamanders.

But their eyes are different from ours:

• No eyelids (they can’t blink or close their eyes)
• Pretty small
• Can’t see details very well
• Sensitive to light

I’ve stared at my axolotl’s eyes plenty of times. They’re there, just not super obvious on some colors.

Why Some Axolotls LOOK Like They Have No Eyes

This confuses tons of people. Here’s why:

Albino And Leucistic Axolotls

Pink and white axolotls have eyes that match their skin color. The eyes blend in so well, you can barely see them.

I had a leucistic (pink) axolotl. Her eyes were there they were just the same pale pink as the rest of her face. Hard to spot unless you looked close.

Hold a flashlight near their face and you’ll see the eyes. They’re there, just camouflaged.

The Eyes Are Small

Even on dark axolotls, the eyes are tiny. They don’t stick out like fish eyes or frog eyes.

They sit flat on the head and don’t move around much. Easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully.

What Color Are Axolotl Eyes?

Eye color depends on the axolotl’s type:

Dark Axolotls (Wild Type, Melanoid)

Black eyes with a gold ring around the pupil.

Sometimes the whole eye looks dark purple or very dark brown. The gold ring is the coolest part it catches the light.

Pink Axolotls (Leucistic)

Black or dark blue eyes that stand out against their pink skin.

These are easier to see because the dark eye contrasts with the light body.

Albino Axolotls (Golden, White)

Red or pink eyes this is the giveaway that they’re albino.

The eyes are red because you’re seeing the blood vessels inside. There’s no pigment to hide them.

These guys are SUPER sensitive to light because of those red eyes.

GFP Axolotls

Same as their base color, but the eyes might glow slightly green under blacklight.

GFP is just an add on gene, so a GFP leucistic still has black eyes, a GFP albino still has red eyes, etc.

Why Some Axolotls Are Actually Born Without Eyes

This is rare but it happens.

The Eyeless Gene

There’s a mutation called “gene e” that completely stops eyes from forming when the axolotl is still developing in the egg.

Axolotls with two copies of this gene (e/e) are born with NO eyes at all. Not even tiny ones. Just smooth skin where eyes should be.

This is a genetic accident, not something you can predict.

How Common Is This?

Pretty rare. Most people will never see an eyeless axolotl.

They pop up randomly in breeding, and most breeders don’t sell them because they need special care.

I’ve never seen one in person, only in photos online.

Can Eyeless Axolotls Survive?

Yes! They can live normal lives.

They rely on:

• Smell (their BEST sense)
• Lateral line (detects water movement)
• Touch

They find food by smell and water vibrations. You just have to help them during feeding time.

Some people think it’s cruel to keep them. Others give them extra love and care. It’s a personal choice.

Do Axolotls Regrow Their Eyes If They Get Hurt?

This is where it gets wild.

If They’re Born WITH Eyes

Yes, axolotls can regenerate damaged eyes.

The cornea, iris, lens, and retina can all grow back if injured.

I read about scientists damaging an axolotl’s eye on purpose (for research), and it grew back in about 2-3 weeks. Almost back to normal.

But there’s a catch the regeneration has to happen while they’re young. Older axolotls lose this ability.

And if the damage is really severe (like infection destroying everything), sometimes the eye doesn’t regenerate properly.

If They’re Born WITHOUT Eyes

No. They can’t grow eyes that were never there.

Regeneration means growing back something you lost. If you never had eyes to begin with, there’s nothing to regenerate.

Scientists actually tried transplanting eyes from normal axolotls into eyeless babies. And it worked! The eyeless ones could see!

But this is lab research, not something you’d do to a pet.

How Well Can Axolotls Actually See?

Not great, honestly.

What They CAN See

• Movement
• Changes in light (bright vs dark)
• Shapes (but not details)
• Some colors

They use their eyes mostly to know if it’s day or night and to spot moving prey.

What They CAN’T See

• Fine details
• Things that aren’t moving
• Stuff that’s far away
• Clear images (everything is kinda blurry to them)

My axolotl would swim right past a worm sitting still. But if the worm wiggled? She’d snap it up instantly.

They see motion way better than they see details.

Why Their Vision Is So Bad

Axolotls live in dark, murky lake water where there’s not much light anyway.

They evolved to use smell and lateral line vibration detection instead of vision. Eyes are backup, not their main tool.

Think of it like this: their eyes work, but they’re not winning any vision contests.

Do Axolotls Need Light?

Not really. In fact, they hate bright lights.

Keep Their Tank Dim

Axolotls are sensitive to light, especially albinos with red eyes.

Bright lights stress them out. They prefer:

• Low lighting
• Shaded areas
• Hiding spots away from light

I never use bright aquarium lights on my axolotl tank. Just room lighting is plenty.

They Can Tell Day From Night

Even with bad eyesight, they can sense when it’s light vs dark outside.

This helps them know when to be active (nighttime) and when to rest (daytime).

Common Eye Problems In Axolotls

Cloudy Eyes

Usually caused by:

• Poor water quality
• Bacterial infection
• Injury

Fix the water first. Do a water change and test parameters.

Swollen Eyes

Can mean:

• Infection
• Injury
• Water quality issue

If it doesn’t improve after fixing water, see a vet.

Eyes Won’t Open Fully

Might be:

• Stuck shed skin
• Injury
• Infection

Gently help remove any stuck skin with a soft brush.

Blindness From Light Exposure

Too much bright light over time can damage their eyes permanently.

This is why dim lighting is so important.

How To Care For Axolotl Eyes

Keep Water Clean

Clean water = healthy eyes.

Bad water causes eye infections and cloudiness.

Do 20% water changes weekly.

Use Low Lighting

No bright tank lights. Just normal room lighting or very dim LEDs.

Albinos need even dimmer lighting than dark colored axolotls.

Watch For Injuries

If two axolotls are fighting, separate them. Eye bites are serious.

Check eyes regularly to catch problems early.

Don’t Handle Them

Handling can damage their delicate eyes (and skin).

Use a net if you need to move them.

The Bottom Line

Do axolotls have eyes?
Yes. Two small eyes, one on each side of the head.

What color?
Depends on the type:

• Dark axolotls: black with gold rings
• Pink axolotls: black or dark blue
• Albinos: red or pink

Can some be born without eyes?
Yes, but it’s rare – caused by a genetic mutation.

Do they regrow eyes?
Yes, IF they had eyes to begin with and the damage happens while they’re young. No, if they were born eyeless.

Can they see well?
No. They have poor vision and rely more on smell and vibration detection.

Do they need light?
No. Keep lighting dim to avoid stressing them.

Axolotl eyes might be small and not super powerful, but they’re there. And for albinos especially, those red eyes staring at you are pretty cool.

Just remember whether your axolotl has perfect eyes or struggles to see, they’re still amazing little creatures.

Quick Facts

Do axolotls have eyes?
Yes, two small eyes on the sides of their head

Eye colors:

Black (dark axolotls)
Black/dark blue (leucistic)
Red/pink (albinos)

Can they see well?
No, poor vision – they rely more on smell and vibration

Can eyes regenerate?
Yes, if damaged while young. No, if born eyeless.

Fast Questions

Why can’t I see my pink axolotl’s eyes?
They blend in with the pale skin. Look closely and you’ll see small black or dark blue eyes.

Are albino axolotls blind?
No, but their red eyes are more sensitive to light and their vision might be slightly worse than dark-colored axolotls.

My axolotl bumps into everything. Is it blind?
Probably not blind, just has poor vision. Axolotls naturally have bad eyesight and bump into stuff.

Can axolotls close their eyes?
No. They don’t have eyelids, so their eyes are always open.

How do eyeless axolotls find food?
By smell and sensing water vibrations. You have to help guide food near their mouth.

Do axolotls see in color?
Scientists think they can see some colors, but not as well as humans. They probably see blues and greens better.

Can I use bright lights in my axolotl tank?
No. Bright lights stress them and can damage their eyes over time. Keep it dim.

Will my axolotl’s cloudy eye heal?
Maybe. Fix water quality first. If it’s an infection, it might need treatment. Some eye damage can regenerate.