Question: Can my axolotl be metamorphosising?

[hONEYB60]

I have an axolotl , only have had her about a month, I can had her in tank with my gold fish and she seem to love it. I was told my the person I purchased her from said this would be fine since she is a axolotl. I came home from class, with the intent of feeding her. Just to find that she had gotten out , I was very surprised since she never seemed to want to be out of water ever. I took me about 20mins to find her hiding in a bag I had near her tank, I did put her back into her tank, her gills seem to be to be curls up like they are trying to dry up and her skin is peeling or shedding or something. her tail seem to have lost some of the fatty tissue on top like it drying up too, Is she going though metamorphosis, of is this because she's been out of water for a while? I dont know how long she was out of her tank, but I know it was at least two hours. so is she going through metamorphosis or is this normal when out of water.

[jessicaanne]

They aren't supposed to be out of water as their skin needs to be moist. I don't know if it will survive much longer as a result of being out of the water (someone more experienced could clarify this though) and if it does survive, I'd say that some type of bacteria/fungal infection will develop so keep a close eye on it. I'd suggest putting something over the top of the tank, even if it isn't a proper lid, just to prevent things like this happening.. I also don't believe that having other fish in the tank is appropriate and you should only keep axolotl's in a tank with other axolotl's. If your axolotl IS going through metamorphosis then it could be a result of the water being bad quality, to the point where it is forced to change form..

[imzunicorn]

I don't have much knowledge on axolotl's metamorphoses, but I honestly don't think she is metamorphosising. When an axolotl has those white flaky looking patches, it means it's highly stressed.

I second pretty much everything what the above poster says.

[Julia]

With out pictures it is impossible to say.
You need to keep your axolotl in cool, clean dechlorinated water, ideally in a cycled tank. After falling from the tank, there may be some injuries that will need a close eye on. Look out for any cotton wool like stuff as this may indicate fungus. I would leave the tank dark for a while too so that your axolotl can calm down. Keep the tank covered so that your axolotl can not jump out again. Finally, I would strongly advise that you keep your axolotl separate from the goldfish, these are not at all suitable to keep with axolotl. Goldfish will potentially nibble on the axolotl's gills and they also make a lot of waste. I would check your tank for ammonia, nitrate and nitrites too.
Have a read of this too :- Axolotls - Housing in Captivity