SICK AXOLOTL - gimpy gill

[edfletch]

Hello all,

My 10 year old axolotl has had a funky looking gill for about a week now. The pictures are attached. It is just the one gill that seems split at the top and the hairs are much shorter and sparse on it. The rest are full and fluffy. I completely changed water and did water testing (temp 21 C, pH 7.8, ammonia 0 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm, nitrate 10ppm). She is eating normally and shows no other signs of injury or stress. Could she have cut her gill on something in the tank (although all the additions have been hand-tested for sharp edges)? Or is this age or illness related? Please help me help her!

Thank you,
Eliza

 

[Tinamlat]

I’ve never seen anything like that before, but if she isn’t having any other issues I would try not to worry too much!

 

[edfletch]

Yeah me either! I am going to try to lower her temperature slowly to around 18-19 C with ice. But otherwise cannot think of any other adjustments at this time. Thank you