Short gills on new axie

Hey guys,

I'm a first-time axolotl owner living in Japan. I actually just bought my lovely new pet 2 days ago from the local Homac, the Japanese version of Walmart. They have a surprisingly extensive pet section, including a ton of exotic critters. My axie was housed with live plants and about a dozen ghost shrimp.

After bringing him home, I noticed that the top 2 gills on his right side are almost nonexistent. I imagine that another axie from the breeder may have nibbled, unless ghost shrimp are capable?

Regardless of how it happened, I am wondering if they will grow back... The long, bushy external gills are probably the biggest draw, aesthetically, for axie owners (as well as serving an important purpose for the axie itself, of course), and I really hope that he grows up to have a proud full set.

He seems very happy in his new home and is eating without a problem. Just let me know if the gills are something regenerate-able and how I can help the process if so!

Thanks everyone, and sorry for the lo-res iPhone pic.

The gills will generate and good water conditions, a good diet of earthworms and cool water will help them regenerate. Just watch out for any cotton like fungus. They should regenerate fine!

Hi QuiGGs,

Your axolotls gills should regenerate fine they don't look to bad at the moment.

My axolotl had only 2 full gills and has 4 half eaten ones when i bought him from my local pet shop in South West England but as you can from the picture he has grown quite a set.

Could you please tell me if the wounds where he lost the gills are still bleeding or an open wound still please.

Keep the temp as close to 62F as you can and he will regenerate nicely as long as the water parameters are fine.

Has the tank been cycled? Ammonia levels can damage an axolotl's gills. If your tank is cycled, then they could have been harmed in the pet store, and you should see them looking better in about a month.

When my axie was young, he had a couple gills on one side that were short and kinked. He has since grown up and retained a bit of the kinked shape, but the gill filaments have become nice and fluffy and he seems to have no trouble with them at all. I would also recommend that you change out the gravel in your tank for sand so that when your little axie gulps down food it doesn't also ingest a rock, which can be dangerous. Good luck with your new pet!