Gill-flicking

DeCypher

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This happens quite often with my Axolotls. They constantly make flicking motions with their gills. They flick them back really fast, and this happens at least twice/three times an hour. Why do they do this?
 
dragonlady

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Are they doing anything else? From your description, it doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary, honestly. If they are not scratching at their gills, shaking their heads, or swimming off erradically, I don't really thing I'd worry about it. I'd suggest that this is just part of their normal breathing.
 
mewsie

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dragonlady said:
Are they doing anything else? From your description, it doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary, honestly. If they are not scratching at their gills, shaking their heads, or swimming off erradically, I don't really thing I'd worry about it. I'd suggest that this is just part of their normal breathing.
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Our big two do it a lot, i think when they are quite still it flushes fresh water over their gills. Never seen our little one do it cause I've never seen him stay still for very long (even when I had him in a tub, he did laps of it, haha)
 
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Re: Gill-flicking HELP

NEED HELP :(.. I got an axolotl bought for me and the person that got it for me didnt pass along the care instructions proper.

I cleaned his tank, took 3/4 of the water out.. filled it up with water from the tap, did the PH levels so they were 7.0 but put him in without knowing i had to put conditioner in it..

So i called my friend in a panic when he started acting weird she told me to put the liquid in she gave me and to use a certain amount so i put it in but i accidently put in filter start.. and i think too much filter start than the 60litre needed.. i quickly hunted the conditioner down and put some in.

Hes calmed down but is flicking his gills every 30seconds-few minutes and swims up to the surface really fast every now and then.

I FEEL LIKE SUCHA BAD MUMMY :( im used to dogs and lizards as pets :(..
Can anyone tell me what to do or if hes going to be ok? PLEASE JUST ANYTHING :confused:
 
Boo Penguin

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@ maykate

Don't stress, my lovley little guy gill flicks quite often. Its just a habit of his.Also the swimming up to the surface is air gulping which is also natural. Remember that axi's have both gills and lungs! As said above I wouldn't worry unless he starts to swim around all crazy like... and even then thats is not always a serious thing. Also it is better to condition the water BEFORE you put it in the tank.
 
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    Hi Nerdybirds - open a thread, that usually gets more views and also allows you to post pictures and give more background information: water parameters, age, etc.
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    My axolotl can you all take a look at that thread, I am freaked out about my axie
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    His gills seem kinda small, I don't think that's normal but I'm not a huge expert on axolotls
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    Yeah his gills is kinda small and it can be caused by nitrate level, I am taking care of it atm, I am worried about his weight, is he only overfed or are there any kinds of problems there ?
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  • MVM1991:
    Well, again, I'm no expert. But I did just read axolotls are supposed to have a body about as wide as their head. The gills I'd say are the biggest problem, which could reduce oxygen intake, which could make a whole mess of problems.
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    Thanks for the help then, I will deal with his gills in no time
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    I also leave the lid open during the day so that evaporation can cool down my tank. I want to buy a fan, but since winter is coming I won't have to buy one yet. Lastly, what water testers are effective and affordable for a broke student like myself? Please, if anyone has any advice I will love to hear it. I care for this creature too much at this point, but I have no one to help me with caring for it other than the internet :,)
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    Hi LauraLobster I am a new owner of axolotls myself and have been getting advice from things like this, I feed mine twice a day on blackworms and brine shrimp blood worms are more of a treat food, a question on where you are keeping you axolotl are you keeping it in the main tank or in a tub also if in the tank did you cycle it first? and if not i suggest tubing it until the tank it cycled, mine are still tubed since I was given bad advice by the shop people about cycling my tank and am still in the process of cycling it. I use pipettes to clean up the mess of my axolotls. I use the API mater test kit for freshwater tanks I am also a student and had to look around to find it the cheapest I could.
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    Hi LauraLobster, like you I got my first ever Axolotl back in July. Iv found that he has enjoyed and eaten red wigglers well. They are a good source of protein and help provide the nutrients a young lotl needs to grow up big and strong. You will probably need to break it up into smaller pieces until they get bigger but they are what I have primarily fed my buddy since I got him. He’s actually so picky that he won’t even eat his pellets anymore and will hold out till he gets his favorite wormy.
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  • MVM1991:
    As long as its cleaned yeah! You can even make overhangs if you have enough pieces to make nice caves and platforms
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    Ok, thanks!
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    Great! I'll use some of those too. Thanks for the help. :)
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    Mark.H: Great! I'll use some of those too. Thanks for the help. :) +1
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