Axolotl Metamorphosis?

The_Blade

The_Blade

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Hello all. I have been browsing the forums for years, and have learned so much (mostly about axolotls)! This question is about one of my axolotls, a wild type axolotl (he was my first axolotl ever).

So, I think he is metamorphosing. He looks very simmilar to "Gollum" the morphed axolotl and some of their other morphs. He has not left the water, but his gills appear to be practically usless, and his eyes have buldged. His legs have gotten thicker and I have seen him stick his nose out of the water for a while (he's not gulping air, though). His tail fin is almost gone and for some reason his upper body is becoming a bit thinner. He's eating fine and is pretty active (well, as active as an axolotl can be lol). Is he sick or is he morphing?

Not my pic, but this is about what he looks like:

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Is he really morphing or is it just a fluke? Thanks
 
Just so you all know, his mate at the time was perfectly fine the entire time and still is, even though the axolotl in question is in a bin with a hide and aerator, at a slight angle with a rock. Can't be too safe, right?

Pictures from reddit user "u/CollieflowersBark"
 
Does he still have a dorsal fin? The dorsal fin goes first in metamorphosis. Maybe try making a paladarium for him that has both land and water areas and see if he prefers land or water??? AFAIK, the care for a morphing axolotl should be the same as any other mole salamander larva. Gulping is a non-factor because amphibians breathe through their skin.
 
Yes his tail fin is almost gone! I have tilted his bin slightly so that there is a place where he can get ~%75 out of the water, and a rock that he can get %100 out if he wants to.
I'll try to get some pictures when I clean out his tub soon.
 
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Some pics of him

He does not live in this tiny bin. I was cleaning it and thought it would be a good time to get some pics.
 
Yeah, it does look like he's losing his dorsal fin...
It sounds like you're doing what's best for him though at the moment with the half-land, half-water thing.

Here is an article to read on morphed axolotls. Hope it helps.

Morphing Explained | Morphed Axolotls

www.morphedaxolotls.com www.morphedaxolotls.com
 
Here's another article on signs of morphing.

Signs Of Metamorphosis | Morphed Axolotls

www.morphedaxolotls.com www.morphedaxolotls.com

This website recommends you contact your breeder as in the case of morphing - and yours does appear to be morphing - the breeder should responsibly retire the breeding pair from the batch of eggs your little dude came from.
 
Autistic Catholic said:
Here's another article on signs of morphing.

Signs Of Metamorphosis | Morphed Axolotls

www.morphedaxolotls.com www.morphedaxolotls.com

This website recommends you contact your breeder as in the case of morphing - and yours does appear to be morphing - the breeder should responsibly retire the breeding pair from the batch of eggs your little dude came from.
Click to expand...
Autistic Catholic, those articles were very helpful!
I don't know about his background, so I can't contact the breeder
It also says that if you want an axolotl that is guaranteed to not morph. The thing is, my pal is almost 5 already. He's bred several times, as well, but the larvae I kept (they are both adults now) are healthy and active. He's a mystery, for sure.
 
Today he came out of the water! I gave him a dark little cup with some moist paper towels to hide in and he actually did! I saw him this morning sticking his head out of the cup with his body curled up inside, sitting on the paper towel. He was fairly dry (not crispy, but a bit sticky) and his gill stocks are just about gone. It's just so odd!
 
wow! They usually so that when they ingest iodine or have very bad quality tanks!
(the bad quality tanks mostly resulted in ☠️ while the iodine is almost guaranteed.)
 
Ya_Boi_Eon said:
wow! They usually so that when they ingest iodine or have very bad quality tanks!
(the bad quality tanks mostly resulted in ☠️ while the iodine is almost guaranteed.)
Click to expand...
true, but some axolotls just morph for no clear reason
 
Well I guess the ”i learn something new every day” thing is true.
 
Ya_Boi_Eon said:
wow! They usually so that when they ingest iodine or have very bad quality tanks!
(the bad quality tanks mostly resulted in ☠️ while the iodine is almost guaranteed.)
Click to expand...
That's not entirely accurate. I posted a link on this thread earlier which also mentions the role of genetics though OP's axolotl is 5 years old.

OP, any update on your friend???
 
Well, they are doing fine (I say they cuz I have 2 Axolotls)
 
Ok, so, sorry that I haven't checked this for a while.

Update: I put him back in his water tank, as this is the only way I can get him to eat. There is a rock that he can out of the water if he so chooses.
A promising sign is that the other day he actually ate a worm out of water (I occasionally take him out and see if he will. I keep him moist and give him a hiding spot)

More updates and hopefully some pics soon!

Btw if you have any more Ideas on what the heck is happening don't hold back ;)
 
The_Blade said:
Ok, so, sorry that I haven't checked this for a while.

Update: I put him back in his water tank, as this is the only way I can get him to eat. There is a rock that he can out of the water if he so chooses.
A promising sign is that the other day he actually ate a worm out of water (I occasionally take him out and see if he will. I keep him moist and give him a hiding spot)

More updates and hopefully some pics soon!

Btw if you have any more Ideas on what the heck is happening don't hold back ;)
Click to expand...
it looks like he's morphing to me. the disappearing dorsal fin, bulging eyes, and receding gills are all signs of it. i know that most axolotls who morph are either forced via iodine injection or from poor water quality, but i have heard of some morphing naturally.
 
axolotl nerd said:
it looks like he's morphing to me. the disappearing dorsal fin, bulging eyes, and receding gills are all signs of it. i know that most axolotls who morph are either forced via iodine injection or from poor water quality, but i have heard of some morphing naturally.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's weird. The water was fine and and I didn't do anything to make him, it just happened randomly. He's turning 5 soon, and I thought they needed to be younger to morph? I don't know.

My plan is to build him a 20 gal long paludarium for him. Also bit of a weird question, but do you think I would be able to keep a Lithobates clamitans with him? I have one and I've been meaning to give her an upgrade.
The paludarium plan is this: about 3/4 will be water, with a modified island filled with potting soil (is that safe?). It will have a large, flat rock as a ramp from the water. There will be a sponge filter for the water and I'm still deciding whether to do sand or just a bare bottom.
Thought's on this?
I might change it to a 35 gallon bowfront that I've had in the garage for a while. It's really the only other tank I have that I can use.
 
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    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
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