Is my Axolotl unhealthy looking? Tiny gills?

[mushutheaxie]

Okay so, when I got my axolotl from a local exotic pet store he was VERY small (see first pic).

Since then, he's been eating every single day and seems energetic and in no way lethargic or ill looking. But, i have been told that he still looks rather odd. His gills are extremely small , and that's the main issue. His water temp is 17-19 Celsius always, and I was under the impression that this is what was desirable. He has a glass bottom, a sponge filter, and like i said, eats every single day happily. I just see how other people's axolotls look and even as a juvenile they have very prominent gills. Mine does not, they are very small. Should I be concerned?



He has gained a seemingly good amount of weight since this second picture but It's still a good representation of his gill size, which has remained the same.


I am just worried because the man who sold me the axolotl seemed to know little to nothing about them, and although i've done plenty of my own research I don't know if the care he was in before I got him has already done damage to him

 

[Skudo09]

It may be due to poor water quality and diet whilst in the care of the shop/breeder. They may improve over time in good water quality but the gills may not ever be as fluffy as they may have been had they had better care before. The best thing for them now is to ensure they have now got optimum water quality and give them a nutritious diet as this will give them the best chance. The temperature is good but also check parameters for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH and ensure your tank is cycled (testing the parameters will tell you if it is cycled or not).

 

[AxolotlChris]

Yes the water quality is very important, your Axolotl needs a healthy environment to survive.

It looks like your tank is not cycled. For your tank to be cycled, a beneficial bacteria needs to be present to break down the Ammonia and Nitrites into Nitrates. Ammonia and Nitrites are lethal to Axolotl and are produced from your Axolotls waste and decomposing food. Nitrates are less toxic by product. During cycling the beneficial bacteria will colonize your tanks surfaces such as substrate, ornaments, filter, and begin to feed on the Ammonia turning it into Nitrites, then another type of bacteria will break down the Nitrites into Nitrates. The bacteria is known as a biofilter, as it filters the ammonia and nitrites into less harmful nitrates.

Read these links of water quality and how to ensure your tank is cycled:
Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality
Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

You will need a test kit to check your water parameters:
Welcome to API Fishcare: FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT

You can purchase this off Amazon.

 

[mushutheaxie]

Okay so, when I got my axolotl from a local exotic pet store he was VERY small (see first pic). View attachment 44785

Since then, he's been eating every single day and seems energetic and in no way lethargic or ill looking. But, i have been told that he still looks rather odd. His gills are extremely small , and that's the main issue. His water temp is 17-19 Celsius always, and I was under the impression that this is what was desirable. He has a glass bottom, a sponge filter, and like i said, eats every single day happily. I just see how other people's axolotls look and even as a juvenile they have very prominent gills. Mine does not, they are very small. Should I be concerned?



He has gained a seemingly good amount of weight since this second picture but It's still a good representation of his gill size, which has remained the same. View attachment 44786


I am just worried because the man who sold me the axolotl seemed to know little to nothing about them, and although i've done plenty of my own research I don't know if the care he was in before I got him has already done damage to him

I just wanted to update everyone and say he's finally growing his gills back and getting a lot bigger. He now eats some cut up earthworms every day and that has helped a lot. my water quality was never the issue, it was just due to the poor living conditions he was in prior to me purchasing him, and thankfully he has begun to recover!