Question: Stubby Gills

I acquired / rescued an axie last week....she hadn't been kept very well and was a little on the skinny side with very short stubby gills with hardly any frills on them.

I started off feeding her up slowly and she is now starting to look a little more rounded in her body like my two females, although she is yet to poo! I hope, eventually, to introduce her to the big tank and have her live with the other ladies.

My question is, is there anything I can do to assist her in her gill recovery or is she likely to retain her short stubby gills now?

My wild types are about the same size as yours, bought them at a show. One has long frilly gills and the other has stubby ones like yours. They are both very healthy and it all comes down to genetics. If you wanted long gills unfortunately you probably won't get them because this axolotl wasn't born to have them


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I had a similar situation, but after a while they started to grow back.
Its satisfying watching them grow back. Can see your axl getting healthier and you know you're doing something right

They may grow back, they may not. But I'm pretty sure they will improve in some way.
And I'm not sure she's a she - you might want to make sure before you put her/him in a tank with other girls.

Kylehubble said:

My wild types are about the same size as yours, bought them at a show. One has long frilly gills and the other has stubby ones like yours. They are both very healthy and it all comes down to genetics. If you wanted long gills unfortunately you probably won't get them because this axolotl wasn't born to have them


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Click to expand...

I didn't necessarily want one with long gills and didn't realise genetics meant they would remain stubby....she was in a tank with fish so I based my assumption on the likelihood that her poor gills had been nibbled.

Connor, it would be great if the conditions in the tank meant her gills would improve..all crossed.

The introduction went well so will keep an eye on things for a few days to ensure I have a happy trio.

And Auntiejude, thanks for the sound advice....I've had a good look and she is about the same size as the girls already in the tank and is showing no signs of a swollen male looking cloaca. Having done the eggs bit, if I was in any doubt at all she'd have stayed separate. :happy::happy:

As an aside...I thought she was a black melanoid but looking at her next to my wild type she just looks like a darker version. None the less she's a welcome addition.