do mexican salamanders also called mexican walking fish

Yes, the Mexican salamander, particularly the species known as axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum), are sometimes referred to as "Mexican walking fish" due to their unique characteristics. Despite the name, they are not actual fish but a type of neotenic salamander belonging to the tiger salamander family (Ambystomatidae).

Here are some reasons why they are called "walking fish":

1. Lack of Legs: Some axolotls retain their larval form throughout their lives, including the absence of limbs. They move by undulating their bodies and using their fins, which can give the appearance of walking.

2. Aquatic Habitat: Axolotls are fully aquatic, living in water throughout their lives. Their external gills and streamlined bodies resemble certain fish.

3. Misidentification: Due to their unusual appearance, people unfamiliar with amphibians might mistake them for a type of fish, especially given their unique way of moving in water.

However, it's important to note that this nickname is more of a colloquial term than a scientific classification. Axolotls are still amphibians, and their unique features make them distinct from fish. They have fascinating regenerative abilities and are important organisms in scientific research, particularly in understanding tissue regeneration and developmental biology.