Illness/Sickness: Gills receding?? Please help!

[ravingrussian]

Hello guys,

I have a leucistic female named Wizard. I've had her for about 9 months now although I dont know her age because I got her as an adult.

I've noticed ever since I got her her gills have been getting smaller and blacker (although they werent very big in the first place. Her tail and head are also getting dark, but that's with age.
She eats all her earth worms great, hasn't been coming up for air, or thrashing around at all- everything seems to be very normal. Did a full liquid water test and everything was perfect in that department.

Wondering if her gill recession is just part of the aging process or shes sick? and what do I do?
(attached are some photos of the deterioration)

Thanks so much guys!

 

[auntiejude]

It looks like her caudal fin is receding too.
I think she might be morphing. If she otherwise healthy and happy she should be fine, you just need to give her access to a dry space such as a large rock that sits above the water, and read up on tiger salamander care.
If you can get some more pics of her whole body we could confirm it.

 

[ravingrussian]

I don't know if she's morphing. She doesn't seem to want to get out of the water whcih I know is a sign. Maybe the oxygen levels are really high? I heard their gills can shrink if they don't need them, but I haven't found a credible site that says that.

I also attached a full photo of Wizard.

 

[Holly12]

I'm new to axies, but she looks like she's morphing to me. It doesn't happen often - you've got a special girl!!

 

[Caesar]

I don't know if she's morphing. She doesn't seem to want to get out of the water whcih I know is a sign. Maybe the oxygen levels are really high? I heard their gills can shrink if they don't need them, but I haven't found a credible site that says that.

I also attached a full photo of Wizard.

She looks kind of thin in this picture, is she eating okay?