Gills under the microscope?

[Heather at HMSG]

Hi - has anyone had a look? I had the chance this week to put a tiny piece of black gill under a microscope (don't ask!!), & would be interested to know what I was seeing.

Lotti is fine, fat, about 8 inches long, & ravenous, so no noticeable damage done. Please be assured I wont make a habit of removing bits of her!!!!!!!!

Sparkle (golden & slightly smaller) has only 3 toes on one back foot, but that's how she arrived (when about 2 inches long) - anyone have similar limb mutations or damage?

Heather

 

[kira]

You delibately removed part of your axolotl???

Why on earth would you do that???

 

[John]

You delibately removed part of your axolotl???

Why on earth would you do that???

Please take it easy Kira.

Heather - did you take any photographs of the gill?

 

[pete]

A picture would be helpful. If not a photo, how good is your drawing? Also what magnification where you looking at?

 

[b00f]

i would think they looked like little fern frons or something under there

i have no idea exactly, but im just guessing...

no pictures?

 

[Jennewt]

The really cool thing is to look at a whole live larva under a dissecting scope (20X magnification). You can see the blood cells moving through the gills.

Looking at a piece of the gills, I think you would just see a lot of little tubules where the blood vessels go through.

 

[kira]

Please take it easy Kira.

John, I am not sure what your thought you read in my post, but I hardly believe that that comment is justified. I was not nasty or abusive in anyway, although I was totally shocked and curious as to why someone would do that to a pet. I am sure that no real damage was done, but I don't think that it would have been completely painless either. I don't believe that cutting off little bits and pieces of our axolotls is really nessecary or that it should be condoned (apart from that, it could give the wrong impression to other young people out there that it is ok to treat animals this way).

I believe that like everyone, I have a right to express my opinions and/or feelings -that is what I was and am doing. I am shocked!

 

[paullism]

I believe that Kira's reaction is that which is totally normal of a pet owner.
I felt exactly the same way.

I understand that the writer and John are looking at it from a science point of view.

As loving & caring Axolotl pet owners it is not some thing that we really want to read about and hence Kira's questioning.

 

[John]

Heather's original message made a clear attempt to forestall a reaction like Kira's. Sadly it seems that Heather may have been put off responding. I for one would like to have heard more on this. You've now got me thinking about splitting forums again.

 

[Abrahm]

Too bad you didn't get any photos, Heather. It would made for an interesting talking point. The function of gills is really quite intriguing.

As for your malformed axolotl, I have a Cynops orientalis that I acquired that has six toes on one foot. Of course it being wild caught that could have been a badly healed injury from any number of circumstances.

John, I am not sure what your thought you read in my post, but I hardly believe that that comment is justified.

I think you are blowing John's comment out of proportion. Your initial post with its three question marks per sentence has a lot of undertones on the internet. It is two short sentences and over punctuated and that usually means disgust or a willingness for a verbal shouting match. Posting a gentle reminder to be calm when communicating seems an ideal response to me.

You are certainly allowed to question the original poster and probe her reason's for acquiring the gill piece, but saying "Why on earth would you do that???" is more of an accusation than seeking information. With written communication it is very important to be clear, concise, and to not load your comments with emotional language. Without hearing your tone or seeing your body language we can't infer how you are reacting. I'm sure the OP had a good reason and understandable circumstances. It is always best to seek more information, especially if you are going to make a decision.

That's enough meta talk on this thread. If you still have a problem, Kira, please bring it up in PMs with me, John, or any of the board staff so as to not derail this thread anymore.

 

[Heather at HMSG]

I would NEVER deliberately hurt any creature - let alone cut a bit off! Thanks John for not assuming the worst. It's been a busy week, so I haven't been back here since my first post. I am, however, an opportunist, and when a small area of gill fuzz appeared, under close inspection (with hand lens through the glass) it was apparent that this had caused the detachment of a tiny area of gill - which I retrieved, very carefully. I'm not sure why the fuzz appeared, but our two beauties now have a very large tank, with a sizeable external filter (with 5 feet of tubing to reduce the apparent flow), as they grew very fast, & I think the water quality had deteriorated beyond the capacity of my previous filter, despite water changes weekly. There appears to be no more fuzz.

I said 'don't ask' as I am ashamed that I let this beautiful creature down by letting her get an infection.

We have recently purchased a small microscope on special offer from Lidl, which can save to disc directly from a slide. WHEN we learn how to use it, I will attempt to post pics. I have preserved my specimen!

Strange what some people assume:

I answered an advert on e-bay last summer - someone was auctioning a pair of axis, would you believe. I asked for advice about keeping axis, as, at that point I had just started looking, & had not found this forum. I explained very clearly to the seller that I was not going to bid on their creatures, was asking advice, and was starting working as a biology lab technician at a school, & that we were interested in keeping them..........you would not BELIEVE the abusive, accusational reply I received..........I sent a further explanatory message - explaining my deep interest & care for all amphibians (etc), & got another load more abuse - & this was from someone trying to sell by auction! Heyho..........

Heather

 

[kira]

Heather - I apologise, like I said I was just shocked. Sorry if I presumed wrong. Although pictures would be interesting.

 

[paullism]

I believe that split of the posts in this type of field would be a great solution John.
I believe that it would ensure that there could be no misunderstanding like what has occurred in this instance.
In this case I don't believe there is a right or wrong on anyone's behalf, just a difference of percepction and that we all should accept it as that.

Thanks

 

[John]

I believe that split of the posts in this type of field would be a great solution John.
I believe that it would ensure that there could be no misunderstanding like what has occurred in this instance.

That is not what I meant.