My axolotl has small gills

[callum]

My axolotl, gill has small gills compared to other gills that i have seen. Could someone tell me something im doing wrong and/or a way to promote growth of his gills? Please reply.

 

[joan]

Some gills are just smaller than others. None of mine have very large gills either. I keep their tank pretty cool and well aerated, so they don't need to have large gills. Genetics also plays a large part in gill size.

Unless you see your axolotl coming to the surface for air a lot (more than 3 or 4 times an hour is probably a lot), then I wouldn't worry.

 

[callum]

Are you sure? His gills are less then a cm and he's about 10cm long. I don't have a picture but do you know if there is something which increases gill size.

 

[joan]

What are your water parameters? Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, temperature? Did you cycle your tank? Have the gills changed since you got it?

 

[callum]

Im not sure if the gills have changed but i'll look into the ph, Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and temperature and cycle the water. Will changing this regenerate his gills?

 

[amber]

If the Ammonia and Nitrite are at 0, the Nitrate under 20-30, and the pH at a decent level, they should regenerate if they are supposed to.

It might just be your 'lotl has short gills.
Spyyk's aren't exactly huge.

As long as your tank is cycled, your axie will be happy. (with all the rest of the nec requirements such as food etc.)

If you can, use the liquid tests - the strip ones are highly unreliable.