Damaged or infected gills?

[coiler]

I recently got two axolotls. One of them looks completely healthy, the other seems like most of the hairs on his gills are missing or messed up. He is also gulping air a lot, the other isn't.

The two are separated by a divider so they aren't nipping each other. The breeder said they were separated before I got them too. He did arrive with the issue though, maybe not quite as noticeable.

Here lotl - Album on Imgur are some pictures.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Have you tested your water for Ammonia, Nitrites, NitrAtes, and PH?
If not, are you aware of the cycling process (nitrogen cycle) ?

What temp is your water ?

 

[coiler]

I am aware of the cycling process. The tank is not yet cycled. I test the water with a liquid test kit and do a 50% water change daily. The ammonia has never been higher than 0.5ppm.

Temp stays between 65F and 68F.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Have you had them long? Might just take a little longer for the gills and fimbriae to re grow

 

[coiler]

Have you had them long? Might just take a little longer for the gills and fimbriae to re grow

I have had them less than a week. How long should it take for them to improve?

 

[AxolotlChris]

I've usually always noticed an improvement in damaged gills/fimbriae within a week, but will take longer until they are fully regrown. Hopefully if the water parameters are in check then the gills will look better within the next week.

 

[charleybambino]

Ive seen far worse gills on this site.......he looks like a few good meals would do him good......earthworms...yum!!
As others have said with good water conditions he looks to have a good chance of beautiful Gills as some filaments are still visible.
Some ax just gulp air more often than others.....so perhaps it's just the way he is.........!

 

[coiler]

Ive seen far worse gills on this site.......he looks like a few good meals would do him good......earthworms...yum!!
As others have said with good water conditions he looks to have a good chance of beautiful Gills as some filaments are still visible.
Some ax just gulp air more often than others.....so perhaps it's just the way he is.........!

Are earthworms better than blood worms? He is only 4 inches long. He certainly acts very healthy besides the gills.

 

[charleybambino]

Try small chopped ones........more nutritious

 

[Skudo09]

Earthworms are far more nutritious than bloodworm and much better as they grow. At four inches he should be able to handle small earthworms but you can cut the worms into smaller pieces if they are a bit too big as suggested above. It may take a bit of time before you see a lot of improvement in the hills but clean water and a nutritious diet will be the main things to help. He may not ever have the most fluffy gills but they will hopefully improve over time he is a cute lotl

 

[coiler]

Thant you everyone. I really appreciate the help.