Metamorphis question

[apryl]

If metamorphis has begun,can it be stopped if the axi is kept in the water? I'm a bit worried about my new guy Diablo.He is mature,and a funny shape,with teeny gills.I have been thinking along these lines since he arrived yesterday,and since posting pics in the gallery it has been suggested aswell.What should I do if he is changing?He has been kept in a small fish tank in a small amount of water for at least a year.Poor guy!

Also,are his "boy bits" on the large side?

 

[jordan]

If they are morphing they shouldn't be kept in all water for they might drown. His "boy bits" as you put do look rather large.

 

[apryl]

He has been floating at the top for the last couple of hours,and has sat on top of a tree with his face at the surface.Boris is fine and acting normal.If he is still floating at bedtime he's going in the fridge for the night!

 

[joan]

Keep in mind that probably only one of ever 100,000 axolotls morphs.

The size of the gills doesn't necessarily indicate morphing. If his gills have grown smaller since you've got him, then that probably means that you're keeping him in better quality water, and he's able to get more oxygen with less gill area. From your pic, you also have lots of plants. If these are LIVE plants, this will also contribute. Also, if you got him from someone who kept him in bad conditions, his gills could have been damaged then. I don't see where the 'funny shape' comes from, he looks like a pretty normal axolotl to me.

A good hallmark of morphing is that their eyes start to bulge. If you see no indication of this, I doubt he's morphing.

Jordan, your advice is not sound one bit. If you take an axolotl out of water, it will die. NEVER take your axolotl out of water for any length of time. If you seriously think your axolotl is morphing, you need to give it plenty of opportunities to climb out of the water by itself by providing land and/or floating islands/plants, etc.

 

[hayley-jane]

Don't shoot me down first off, it was me that said he looks like he could possibly be morphing due to the terrible conditions he was living in before Apryl saved him.

In the others pics she posted his gills look a lot smaller, his dorsal 'fin' very small and his legs quite muscular. In this pic you can see his rear leg is quite large?

All of which i believe are symptoms? However he doesn't have bulging eyes...

It was just a thought?

Hopefully he will improve in the water; but now he's at the top, do you think maybe it would be best to put him in a tank where he has the option to climb out of the water if he wants?

What does everyone think?

 

[rheann]

Hey, Apryl, if you can get an island or a big rock for him to climb out on, see if he will climb out on it. If he doesn't, then he doesn't have the desire to.

From his smiling picture he doesn't seem to have any bulging eyes, but I am also stumped as to weather he is morphing or not. Only time will tell and a good rock or island

Best of luck to you. He is doing much better now in your care

 

[pete]

I agree you should make an island, possibly by lowering the water level a little until some rocks stick out of the water. If you see him climb out of the water and sit on the island then you'll know he's changing for sure. (If he's transforming) Once the transformation is complete, (No gills, and spending lots of time on land) you should switch to a more terrestrial set up.

P.S. If he transforms, be sure to post some new pics.

 

[jordan]

Joan, I was saying that once the axolotl has morphed, if it does. it shouldn't be kept in a tank filled top the top with water. Don't ever argue with me.

 

[edward]

Joan, Jordan I am going to lock this thread as this is getting inappropriate.

Ed