What Should 6-month-old Gills Look Like?

[Kc0olm]

My axolotl seems healthy and happy, but, what would I know? I see pictures on the internet of axos with big, fluffy gills. Mine are smaller, and well-articulated, so I don't know whether it's just the age - will they get bigger and fuller? - or whether they got damaged along the way.

I'll post pictures.

 

[axolotl nerd]

My axolotl seems healthy and happy, but, what would I know? I see pictures on the internet of axos with big, fluffy gills. Mine are smaller, and well-articulated, so I don't know whether it's just the age - will they get bigger and fuller? - or whether they got damaged along the way.

I'll post pictures.

what are your parameters? sometimes small gills are a result of poor water quality. my axolotl (nearly three) has gills that fluctuate between very full and fluffy- to more thin and sparse despite perfect parameters. i suspect it's something to do with genetics and her activity levels.
your axolotl seems to have pretty short gill stalks (the branches) which can indicate poor genetics. sometimes they're just born that way

 

[Kc0olm]

what are your parameters? sometimes small gills are a result of poor water quality. my axolotl (nearly three) has gills that fluctuate between very full and fluffy- to more thin and sparse despite perfect parameters. i suspect it's something to do with genetics and her activity levels.
your axolotl seems to have pretty short gill stalks (the branches) which can indicate poor genetics. sometimes they're just born that way

Thank you. I know this is a genetically modified axolotl. The water parameters are actually perfect now, and have been for quite awhile. There was only a time at the very beginning, when I had to "tub" her, where I had to change the water every day. But I had an expert look at her every week, for two weeks, and he saw no signs of ammonia burning, for example.

The water is currently warmer than I'd like - just starting into summer. I bought a chiller last night, and will have that installed by Wednesday. I know she is uncomfortable at 72 degrees, during the day. I am putting a water bottle of frozen water floating in her tank to cool things down.