Fluttering Gills A Lot

[Tjebb]

So I had just moved my axolotl into his new tank, well cycled and everything. At first he was super still and nervous, then he would do small movements, but he still isn't moving much. Please note he has only been in the tank for around 30 minutes, so I figure he is adjusting.


His gills are fluttering all the time, and I don't think it would be due to low oxygen as it is an open tank with a mesh lid: a very big mesh. What could the potential problem be? Any and all help is useful, thank you in advance!

 

[pinksmog]

Hope he's doing well! When I brought mine home for the first time, they were constant gill flippers. So depending on water quality or changes, I would guess he's testing it out. I've also noticed that if they have shorter or nipped off gills, they'll do it much more because they have less gill to receive oxygen. If you don't already, you might want to invest in an airstone or sponge filter to add extra aeration into the water itself. But as long as their gills aren't curling forward and they're acting normal now (moving and eating), I think you should be fine!

Best of luck!

 

[Kingfisher]

If he is lacking oxygen, he would swim to the surface and get a gulp of air. If his gills are fluttering, I think he's just trying to get more oxygen because he's in a new environment and probably a little stressed. Tropical fish will do the same when they're not acclimatized to the tank parameters.