Curved tail

[Izdubar]

Greetings.

I have my axolotl (female, 1,5-2 years old) for a couple of months now and lately I've been seeing her tail curve up a little from time to time.

First I thought it was "psychological"; the amount of attention she gets from me (Yes, we talk and laugh together from time to time ;D)

Sometimes it was curved a little and then straight again after some attention and/or food.

But now I think her tail is constantly curved for little less than a week now. And it seems it is forming a sort of a hook - which I've read is a sign of stress.

I have attached a few files for you to see but it's difficult for me to get a nice shot.

Should I fridge her? I haven't done that yet.


Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Izdubar

 

[Murk]

It could be stress. It could also just be a wacky tail.
Do you have any pictures of the "complete" axolotl? Gills are often a good indicator of stress as well.

And, as with all axolotl problems, water parameters are important to know: temperature, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH.

 

[Izdubar]

Thank you for the reply.

Her gills have always been very small and have started to grow hair very slowly since I've got her (she had no hair before). Maybe it is not visible in the pictures below but she has nice little hair unfortunately very small but growing slowly. Perhaps even too slowly? I don't know how fast should this be happening.

She has been living with a lot of axolotls in the same tank before I got her so she had injured gills (mostly one gill that is "separate" from the rest).

But I did not ever see a C curved shape or forward tilting gills.

You can read about her unusual background in this topic: Greetings (and Axolotl questions) from Slovenia! :)

You can see more pictures in attachments.

Water parameters:
Temperature 21 Celsius (she was kept at this temperature also by her former owner)
Cl2 0
pH 6.6
KH 13
GH 15
NO2 0
NO3 30

 

[Murk]

Well, she doesn't look unhealthy.
The gills are small, sure, but they look good. Some axolotls just have smaller gills; some prefer to gulp air; or it could be a case of oxygen-rich water. Not necessarily something to worry about.

If I had to guess, I'd say the little hook at the end of the tail is just a funny growth. Curled tail is not wrong per se, unless it's a real sharp bend.
As always, do keep an eye on it. As long as she's eating well and active, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Izdubar]

My thoughts exactly.

She really does love to gulp air that is true hehe. Eating also nicely so yeah, I guess everything will be fine. And my eyes are open

Thank very much for easing my troubles

Kind regards