Axolotl with open mouth

[albitheaxolotl]

Is it normal to have an open mouth?

 

[Autistic Catholic]

If he hasn't been doing this before, then it could be possible you have a sick axolotl. Open mouth is consistent with bacterial infection. But sometimes, they are just silly like that.
It can also be a stress indicator too. Check your water parameters, especially your temperature.

Axolotl Open Mouth or Yawning? What Is Gaping and When To Worry? - Unusual Pets Guide

Normally, axolotl open mouth behavior is triggered by stress and discomfort from impaction, improper nutrition, or poor water conditions.

www.unusualpetsguide.com

 

[albitheaxolotl]

If he hasn't been doing this before, then it could be possible you have a sick axolotl. Open mouth is consistent with bacterial infection. But sometimes, they are just silly like that.
It can also be a stress indicator too. Check your water parameters, especially your temperature.

Axolotl Open Mouth or Yawning? What Is Gaping and When To Worry? - Unusual Pets Guide

Normally, axolotl open mouth behavior is triggered by stress and discomfort from impaction, improper nutrition, or poor water conditions.

www.unusualpetsguide.com

I noticed some months ago... The temperare its ok. 17 degres Celsius

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Okay...but temperature is only one part of the water parameters. And how long have you had him and how often does he do this?

 

[albitheaxolotl]

Checking old photos i can say that in August he had an open mouth

 

[Autistic Catholic]

And how long have you had him

 

[albitheaxolotl]

About a year. Now water parameters are ph 7 , nitrites 0 , nitrates 0, i just changed wáter yedterday. Nitrates could be at máximum of 50

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Okay...about a year...so maybe from back in August. As a hatchling? I was wondering if this was the one that got its head sucked in the filter but injuries from three years ago for an animal you've only had a year wouldn't make sense. But if he's always had mouth open, it could just be a behavioral thing or a result of inbreeding.

 

[albitheaxolotl]

The one in the filter was Albi, she lived for 10 years, but unfortanetly she IS not with us anymore. This IS Axie a new male axolotl, i bought It one year ago as a hatchling

 

[Autistic Catholic]

I'm guessing it's a birth defect that is now more noticeable since he is an adult. Sorry to hear about the other guy.

 

[albitheaxolotl]

No worries. Just in case, should I treat him as a bacterial infection??

 

[Autistic Catholic]

If you're worried about a bacterial infection, which it shouldn't be since he's behaving normally and has had this thing since August, then you should get a vet to diagnose it.

 

[wolfen]

the water needs to be tested using a liquid tests instead of stick tests (stick tests aren't very accurate), ammonia also needs to be tested (important), does the stick tests test kh and gh, if they do what are they.
your ph is low.
is he able to eat properly?

 

[albitheaxolotl]

Amonia IS 0,6. Kh 80 gh 50. Yes he eats fine

 

[wolfen]

your ph is bad at 7, increase to 7.4-7.6
your kh is good, around mid range.
your gh is very bad, very low, increase your waters mineral level.
your ammonia is bad but is mostly in it's non-toxic state due to bad ph.
temperature is good.

 

[albitheaxolotl]

But do you think open mouth IS due to ph in 7 or soft water?

 

[albitheaxolotl]

Here IS a video

 

[albitheaxolotl]

Another video.

 

[wolfen]

the stress caused by a combination of low ph, high ammonia and low gh is most likely the reason behind the slightly open mouth.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Even if the issue isn't caused by the sub-ideal water parameters, it certainly wouldn't hurt to adjust them.