No gills

[shelly]

hey

ive just come back after 10 days away to find my baby wild type with no gills. when i left he had good sized ones for his size now i cant even see stumps. havent tested the water yet will do that tomorrow but have done a water change.

he seems a little longer and has a nice full belly. anyone got any ideas? i dont want to say the m word.

 

[stephen]

There might be a chance that your axie is morphing or he could be sick like that other in another post.

 

[kerry]

I think you should put him straight in the fridge.

 

[shelly]

im quite sure it is morphing. head shape is changing and its eyes are no longer sunk in the head but stand out with rims all around. compared pictures with a morphed one and it does look more like a salamander now than an axolotl.

not putting it in the fridge have just given it an option to get air more easily if it wants.

 

[alex]

if you are questioning whether it is morphing or not, check for eyelids, and elongated toes. if your suspicions are correct, lower the tank water somewhat and ensure that your axie has a platform he can climb onto, thats out of the water.

 

[shelly]

yes to both. i have lowered the water to about 4 inches (MB is only 1/2 inch tall) put all stones and hi little house on one end so there is a deep end and a shallow end and if he goes on the roof of cave thingy he can keep his head out of water. its not ideal but will do for a few days till i can sort out something a bit better. was worried about drowning.

 

[kaysie]

Drowning is a real possibility. The best way to prevent this is to have LOTS of places to get out of the water, especially along the sides of the tank (as this is where they 'panic' the most).

 

[lorie]

Is your axie holdng his head out of the water now?

 

[shelly]

yep. noticed that the fin part of the tail is only on the latter half now and that the tail itself is now longer than the body.