If not whats going on?!?! However, in the past couple of weeks I have noticed my boy's gills appear to be shrinking/shrivelling and turning white. It stays in its larval form throughout its life, a phenomenon known as neoteny. Anyway, also her EXTERNAL GILLS are shrinking majorly. The axolotl, known for its exposed gills, limbs and cannibalism, is critically endangered, but efforts to save the species’ natural habitat as well as ensure that they’re breeding properly have seen some success. One surprising effort is to make axolotls … This lack of oxygen can be due to gill shrinkage, and it can also be due to inadequate aeration or water contamination. Gills Are Deteriorating. Axolotls naturally swim up for air once a while and that is normal. If your axolotl’s gills are curled forward instead of back then something is usually wrong. ! Axies that have smaller gills so they need more air on the surface. Is this normal?? Shrinking axolotl gills. Axolotls spend a lot of time near the water's surface when their gills aren't able to take in enough oxygen from the water. I can even see the shape of her feet its gross.!!! The animal remains in its aquatic habitat and retains its external gills and its fins as it grows. They are pretty much stubs of what used to be. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts The axolotl is an interesting and unusual amphibian that doesn't undergo metamorphosis. See the answer to Question 1 to find out why your pet's gills may be shrinking. Making it hard for them to breathe with their gills. It is not normal if he does that every few minutes. They are also popular in the aquarium trade, and roasted axolotl is considered a delicacy in Mexico, further shrinking their numbers. When stressed, axolotls will often lose their gill filaments, and in serious cases, their gills will shrink completely. Watch for the gills to change color, shrink, or altogether start decaying very fast. Don't leave the Axolotl in the salt bath for more than 15 minutes each time, because the salt will start to damage the Axolotl's skin and particularly its gills. They are considered a critically endangered species. A salt bath is prepared using 2-3 teaspoons of salt (table salt, cooking salt, or iodized salt, but not "low" or "low-sodium" salt) per litre/two pints. I have been an axolotl mum for a little under a year now, with very few issues. Hi all. This is a good site and give more details on axolotls If your axolotl isn’t moving as much as usual and its movements are very slow then something is probably wrong. Poor water parameters are one of the most common causes of stress in pet axolotls Curled gills are another initial sign of a stressed axolotl. Shrinking gills, Frequent trips to the surface. Your axolotl gills health usually effect by some toxic in the water that you maybe overlook. Direction of The Gills. Curled Gills. So my axolotl (type of salamander thingy) Is shedding her skin like everyday. My Axolotl Kip is about 10 years old and recently his gills have been shrinking, any ideas how to help them grow back other than additional water … Press J to jump to the feed. So here are some reasons that can cause them to grasp for air often: Water chemistry levels are bad. But if the gills are damaged or if there is not enough oxygen in the water, the axolotl will swim to the surface and inhale some fresh air. Normally, an axolotl's primary source of oxygen is that which its gills can extract from the water. Please help!