why do mexican salamanders called mexican walking fish

Mexican salamanders, or axolotls, are often referred to as "Mexican walking fish" due to a few notable characteristics:

1. Appearance: They have a large, broad head and external gills that can resemble the fins of a fish.

2. Locomotion: Unlike most salamanders that primarily use their tails for propulsion, axolotls often move along the bottom of their aquatic environment using their limbs, which can give the impression of walking.

3. Aquatic Habitat: Axolotls are fully aquatic and do not have a terrestrial stage in their life cycle like many other salamanders. This association with water leads to the comparison with fish.

4. Lack of a dorsal fin: Unlike typical fish, axolotls do not have a dorsal fin, which can make their movement seem more like walking than swimming.

Despite the common name "Mexican walking fish," axolotls are not fish but rather amphibians, belonging to the family Ambystomatidae. They are unique among amphibians for their ability to regenerate lost limbs and organs, which has made them a popular subject for scientific research.