Small grills, black upper tail

[BinaryRun]

Hello guys,

My axolotl has always had quite short gills, ever since she became an adult. However recently they've become shorter and her black spots have spread to her backs.

I'm not sure if this has to do with the higher temperature in the tank (which I have brought down, but I'm struggling with the heat strike. I even bought a new AC and I'm working with extra ice.) of if it might be the fact that green algae that I'm currently dealing with.

I must admit that I thought that it was simply due to my axie getting mature, however I would appreciate your opinion on this. I've added a few pictures of my axie and will remove the algae plant to another tank tomorrow morning. (Currently unable too)

Thank you for your advice!

 

[BinaryRun]

Update: Just checked some details. Nitrate is too high & the filter is dirtier then I expected. Move little Axie to a temporary bucket with fresh cold water together with her plant for the night & will start the cleaning process tomorrow!

 

[auntiejude]

If his gills have always been short then that's not a problem, but if they are shrinking it could be due to the heat or water quality. Clean cool water should see them recover.

As for the colouring, leucisitcs tend to change their markings throughout their lives, yours is a normal distribution and very pretty - nothing to worry about.

 

[BinaryRun]

If his gills have always been short then that's not a problem, but if they are shrinking it could be due to the heat or water quality. Clean cool water should see them recover.

As for the colouring, leucisitcs tend to change their markings throughout their lives, yours is a normal distribution and very pretty - nothing to worry about.

Thank you very much for clearing that up. The gills were always quite short indeed, exception being the period during which she was still juvenile. I was especially concerned regarding the legs, seeing as the spots on his legs seem to be 'on it' instead of inside his skin like it's with the tail. However the coloring is exactly the same so it should be alright.

My tank currently has green-blue algae, the dreaded kind that is actually a bacteria. I read that the best way to get rid off it is by keeping the tank in the dark, is this correct? Also can I leave my axie inside the tank during this process or will it harm her? Several websites seem to have conflicted opinions on it.