Slow Recovery vs. Morphing?

[ReptileGirl]

I was looking through some of the wonderful pictures here and I am beginning to wonder if my lotl is morphing. I know that sometimes gills are tiny because of poor conditions (like those he came from) - but they also shrink while morphing, which can also result from poor conditions. Is there a way to tell the difference? I mean, other than ending up with a salamander. How long does morphing usually take? His gills seem fuzzier, but they're still small - how long does recovery usually take? I'll take pictures as soon as I can.

6-6.5 inches long
Male
Had him for about 3 weeks

 

[Quentari]

Well I had an axie for three months that had small gills and the gills didn't get any longer. They did get nice and fluffy though, sometimes it's genetics or overbiting when they're young.

 

[Bellabelloo]

Could you maybe add a photo so we can see..it is possible you may have a tiger salamander larva that is morphing.

 

[oceanblue]

Look for other morphing changes than just gill loss. Is the dorsal(back) fin still high, are the eyes not bulging and is the jaw not protrusive?

This thread shows early and late artificially induced morphing changes. http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...eneral-discussion/91260-morphed-axolotls.html

Small gills alone are not morphing.

 

[knyptozoologist]

I've had my female for about as long as you've had yours and her gills were small coming here as well. They've definitely gotten fluffier in that time, but not longer, so I'm assuming if it happens it takes awhile or just won't happen at all.

 

[skelly98]

Strange... My first axie's gills got bigger after a few weeks in my tank.. and fluffier, too.

 

[snuggly time]

This was my axie when I got him http://www.caudata.org/forum/members/snuggly-time/albums/wooper/26571-a/

Now this is him now, it took about 4 or 5 months for his gills to grow as full and fluffy as they are now.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/members/snuggly-time/albums/wooper/28702-a/

 

[ReptileGirl]

Ok this is starting to make more sense. I just took some pictures - so I'm going to figure out how to post them in a few, but also thank you to everyone whose had advice so far

 

[ReptileGirl]

Ok here he is in his new tank. Of course the only clear picture was the one with spots on the glass. Hope this helps, and thanks!