Axolotl Tank Depth Question

[Lolishops]

Hi! New Here but Have checked this site many times and gotten helpful information in the last year of having our little Axi, Bubbles! So thought you all might have helpful info on this topic. So, when we originally got Bubbles we were terribly misinformed and thought the tank we purchased, a 16 gal bookcase style, would be plenty big enough for years to come. We've since learned that is very very wrong so have been on the hunt for something larger that we could fit in our limited human space too. We Just recently acquired a 55 gallon corner tank that is perfect for our human space but now having it home and leak test completed, a new issue has come up that I didn't even think of before! Is this too deep for her??? Ive read a couple places that shallow water for her to be able surface is NECESSARY, and others have said it not an issue at all as their natural environment is a lake! Anyone have some real knowledge on this? There are so many self proclaimed "axolotl experts" that I dont know who to listen too. The last thing i should include that she has minor a front leg & gill deformity that she came to us with that makes her a not so strong swimmer. On the rare Occassion that i see her trying to get to the surface of her currently 12 inch deep tank, she struggles! So I would imagne that there is no way she could make it to the surface of the 24 inches depth of the new 55 gallon tank. Do we even know why they surface on occasion? Like, if she could "survive" at a constant depth if 24 inches, would it be unhappily cause they love to surface? Or when they surface, is it maybe for exploration, and giving her 40 more gallons will solve that! Cause i certainly wouldn't want her to simply survive! Thanks for your help!

 

[wolfen]

in the wild they tend inhabit mostly shallow areas, normally no deeper than 1 meter depth.
although axolotls will on occasion surface gulp continual/frequent surface gulping is a sign of issues ie.. water parameters or oxygenation.
it should be noted axolotls are very poor swimmers so when they seem to be struggling it is quite normal.
axolotls have three ways to breath, 1. through their gills, 2. through their skin, 3. via rudimentary lungs (not fully developed unless morphed), most gas exchange is performed by the gills.
instinctively being near the surface can be quite stressful as it would make them vulnerable to predators in the wild.

 

[Lolishops]

in the wild they tend inhabit mostly shallow areas, normally no deeper than 1 meter depth.
although axolotls will on occasion surface gulp continual/frequent surface gulping is a sign of issues ie.. water parameters or oxygenation.
it should be noted axolotls are very poor swimmers so when they seem to be struggling it is quite normal.
axolotls have three ways to breath, 1. through their gills, 2. through their skin, 3. via rudimentary lungs (not fully developed unless morphed), most gas exchange is performed by the gills.
instinctively being near the surface can be quite stressful as it would make them vulnerable to predators in the wild.

That’s helpful! So 24 inches shouldn’t be a problem at all as long as I keep the tank in good shape, which isn’t an issue!
Thank you!!