Illness/Sickness: Does my axolotl look stressed?

[reMARCable]

Hi,

I have kept my axolotl for just over a year now, ever since he had just formed limbs. I recently have been reading a lot of threads about the gills curling forward and el Jefe's (my axolotl) gills look a little forward. I'm not sure if he is just like that or stressed? He always seems happy, with his constant smile and chilling with my bamboo shrimp in one of those weird animal friendships. I'll post some pictures, please tell me what you think.

 

[reMARCable]

Here are a couple more pics I have just taken

 

[sk26]

Hi there!

I think your axolotl looks fine! Gills are tricky. Some axies have naturally slightly curled gills and are the happiest campers. That's why it's hard to tell just by their gills. When axies are stressed, their gills tend to curl in way more than what is seen in your pictures. Another sign is that their tails will curl or bend. Your little dude seems very content and happy!

 

[BrooklynD]

Agreed with above, probably is natural. If behavior is normal then I wouldn't worry. Gills will also turn forward as they're sniffing for food as shown in one picture, so when feeding sometimes gills will be more forward than normal.