Gill flapping

[kinkyoto]

Do axolotls flap their gills because it helps them breathe better?
I'm curious about this because both my axolotls are flapping there gills
every once in a while. (About once every 5-6 secs) Much more often then they usually do.
Any suggestions, tips or help would be great.
Thank you.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Occasional gill flicking helps to move the water around the fine filaments to faciliate gaseous exchange.

Very frequent prolonged and rapid gill flicks however is not normal. Gill flicks of short intervals (1 or 2 s) could be indicative that the axie is in pain/discomfort, compromised gill function, gill irritation/inflammation or very ill.

 

[kinkyoto]

Thanks Darkmaverick,
but I'm still a little concerned.
She does the regular gill flap/flick but in intervals of 5-6 seconds on average.
However, she does look very relaxed in her little spot.
Everything about her seems normal, I just fed her a slice of an earthworm and
she ate it fine.
I also have a little axolotl in the same tank (with divider) and she was also
doing the gill flaps with the same intervals but she stopped doing them.
Only by bigger one does it now.
Well see how things go tomorrow after I do a watcher change.
There's a big piece of poop I have to clean up tomorrow.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Your axie is normal. Abnormal gill flicking is a persistent continuous session of a flick per 1-2s intervals.

 

[kinkyoto]

Thank you =]
I feel much better now.
This morning both axies looked good.