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monica
Guest
That's interesting. I guess I'll keep my eye on my temperature. Thanks Hayley.
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C
cynthia
Guest
It has not been my experience that "warm water" grows bigger gills.
The axolotls I had "back in the days" had pretty much normal sized gills and they were always at 70 - 72 degrees.
With my current axolotls since I added a fan to the lid of my tank and my axolotls are at 65 - 66 degrees some of their gills are bigger than they were at 70 - 72 degrees.
I think keeping good water quality is very important to keeping healthy gills and genetics has to play a role.
Once their gills are damaged they don't always grow back as they were before.
The axolotls I had "back in the days" had pretty much normal sized gills and they were always at 70 - 72 degrees.
With my current axolotls since I added a fan to the lid of my tank and my axolotls are at 65 - 66 degrees some of their gills are bigger than they were at 70 - 72 degrees.
I think keeping good water quality is very important to keeping healthy gills and genetics has to play a role.
Once their gills are damaged they don't always grow back as they were before.
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cynthia
Guest
Monica - your axolotls have very lovely gills
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hayley-jane
Guest
I was told by Joan that cold water had more Oxygen that warm water.
It made sense to me seen as Elsa's gills shrunk when I changed her water to cold water and they never grew back to what they were?
It made sense to me seen as Elsa's gills shrunk when I changed her water to cold water and they never grew back to what they were?
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joão
Guest
I agree with Joan and Hayley,water in low temperatures will retain more oxygen, then high water temperatures that have lower oxygen levels, that´s why gills will grow more in higher temperatures.
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monica
Guest
Let's just agree on it being genetics and temperature.
I've kept these guys at low temps and had them in a tank with a bubble stone when they were babies. They are still kept at cold temps and they still have long gills. So I'm going to say it's genetics for mine. It makes sense that gills wouldn't grow back as well once they have been damaged. The little guy I have in the fridge (I call him stubs)has very short gills and well, I'm pretty sure that if his limbs were damaged then his gills got a good beating as well. It makes sense to me.
It would be a fun experiment to have axolotls at different (but safe) conditions and see the difference in growths. Stubs is from the same batch of eggs as my four and he is a third the size of them. It's interesting.
Cynthia-thanks for the gill compliment.
They have long gills that tend to curl over sometimes. And I know curled gills are a sign of stress but I swear they aren't under any type of stress. The water levels are fine, the temperature is fine, and there isn't a strong water current. I personally think gills are very pretty!
I've kept these guys at low temps and had them in a tank with a bubble stone when they were babies. They are still kept at cold temps and they still have long gills. So I'm going to say it's genetics for mine. It makes sense that gills wouldn't grow back as well once they have been damaged. The little guy I have in the fridge (I call him stubs)has very short gills and well, I'm pretty sure that if his limbs were damaged then his gills got a good beating as well. It makes sense to me.
It would be a fun experiment to have axolotls at different (but safe) conditions and see the difference in growths. Stubs is from the same batch of eggs as my four and he is a third the size of them. It's interesting.
Cynthia-thanks for the gill compliment.
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joan
Guest
But if you put an axolotl with small gills into a warm, low oxygen environment, they won't necessarily grow bigger gills. Put it this way: the gills grow as big as they're going to grow as an axolotl ages. They don't get any bigger. However, if you put them in high oxygen, cold water, they can get SMALLER. It just doesn't work in reverse. They may get a little fluffier, but they won't grow huge.
The reason Stubs is small is that he has to spend all his energy regrowing his limbs and gills, instead of growing in length. He'll eventually catch up.
The reason Stubs is small is that he has to spend all his energy regrowing his limbs and gills, instead of growing in length. He'll eventually catch up.
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monica
Guest
Ok update....He's still not eating...He is REALLY thin....I havent seen any improvement in his leg regrowth. I'm continuing salt baths everyday. Anything else I can do?
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hailz
Guest
His leg may take a long time to re-grow, my female axie's have both lost 1 leg each. Lulu lost her's about 4 months ago and it has only began to show signs of it re-growing. As long as it looks clean and not infected you should be ok. I'd just concentrate on keeping the infection away with the salt baths, Keep up the great work! and your other axies are lovely colours! and those gills are great!
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sharn
Guest
haha very glamourous gills, one of mine had gills so long they folded over and touched his head, and i swear he wasnt under any stress either, theyve shrunk a bit now and are back to the normal postion
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cynthia
Guest
Monica - that is a long time for it go to without food. Are you keeping it in the fridge? If not maybe it should go in there for a while.
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monica
Guest
Yeah he has been in the fridge this whole time. I'm starting to wonder if I should take him out and give that a try to see if he'll eat. He was thin to begin with...and looks thinner now.
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hayley-jane
Guest
I would suggest taking him out of the fridge for a day, letting the water warm to room temp (takes like 6 hours) and then trying food again.
The best place for him is the fridge, but he also needs his food for strength.
The best place for him is the fridge, but he also needs his food for strength.
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jordan
Guest
Yes i agree with Haley, he does need the fridge but also he needs his food.
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monica
Guest
Here's an update on the axolotl formerly known as 'stubs'. I think he deserves a name change! He/she is now known as Fidget.
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monica
Guest
Ok so I have to post his before picture too. He looks like a new axie! I'm so proud of him!
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casey
Guest
Well done Monica! You've done a fantastic job!
So what did you feed him to make him so nice and healthy looking and how often did you feed him?
So what did you feed him to make him so nice and healthy looking and how often did you feed him?
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monica
Guest
Thanks Casey! I fed him every day. As long as he wanted to eat, I provided food for him. I feed him black worms, earthworms, and red wrigglers. So basically worms! He's doing great. And now i'm attached and I guess I've acquired a 5th axoltol. *shakes head...addicting aren't they?
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joan
Guest
He looks gorgeous. Hats off to you! Fantastic job. They're like potato chips. Can't have just one.
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hayley-jane
Guest
Monica well done!
He looks amazing now, were all very proud of ya!
He looks amazing now, were all very proud of ya!