A pet stall sparked outrage by selling axolotls dyed in bright colours to copy the computer game Minecraft.

Vendors in Bangkok's Chatuchak market coloured the amphibians in vivid purples, pinks, and greens to attract customers, mostly children, as the creatures have gained popularity from the video game Minecraft.

Jutatip Saengnak, 26, an experienced axolotl caretaker, said that the dyeing process would shorten the animal's lifespan dramatically - from 10 to 15 years to a mere one week.

However, once the buyers have taken home there new pets they are unable to get refunds.

He said: ‘The axolotls were dyed in unnatural colours. The colour that is normally found in the wild is the Lucy color (white body with black eyes), white albino (white body with red eyes), black melanoid, black wild type, and golden albino.'

Dr. Thon Thamthongnawasawat, Assistant Professor of Marine Science at Kasetsart University, said: ‘The discoloration will affect the axolotls' health and will result in them dying faster. I don't support animal discoloration just for people's desire.'

Axolotls are a type of salamander, and are known for the wispy gills that protrude from their heads. Their cute and 'youthful' appearance - a result of neoteny or the retention of juvenile features - has made them popular pets for animal lovers.

They feature in the Minecraft Caves and Cliffs update of the popular Minecraft game, with players able to collect buckets of axolotls and tame there.

Players can find Axolotls and interact with them. The axolotl mobs are found underwater and help a player with underwater exploration and battles with other hostile mobs.

Refunds are banned under the backwards Thai consumer laws though a small number of Western shops with branches in the developing Southeast Asia country allow exchanges.