Photo: Smudge, my guy

[Jenilyn]

Well, i just joined today and wanted to share my guy. We adopted him few months ago from a kid off of craigslist who said he was moving and needed to find him a home. I did lots of research and set up a tank and when we got there I was appalled at what we saw. He had other fish almost his size in the tank and there was a heater in the tank and he was feeding him flakes. Oh, boy. We got him home and he seems so much happier. His gill feathers were almost not there at all and have started to grow in the last few months, and his tail is growing. however, his toes are not growing back and his feet are little stumps for the most part.

that was prolly three months ago, this is today

 

[HeavenlyCharmed]

Thankgod you rescued him! :angel:

 

[Jacquie]

Well, i just joined today and wanted to share my guy.

Hi Jenilyn,

Welcome to the forum.

Smudge looks like a real trooper.

If I may, I would suggest you change his substrate to sand as that gravel looks to be the size to be easily ingested by Smudge. I was going to suggest bare bottom tank as the other alternative but with his lack of feet he may experience trouble with 'traction'.

We got him home and he seems so much happier. His gill feathers were almost not there at all and have started to grow in the last few months, and his tail is growing. however, his toes are not growing back and his feet are little stumps for the most part.

The poor little fellow has a lot to grow back, his feet should eventually grow back but may be put 'on the back burner' while he regenerates the other body parts.

An adult axolotl will take longer than a juvenile or young adult to regenerate body parts and these may not grow back to the same standard as the original. The regeneration process can also on occasion develop extra off shoots from the regrowth such as an extra limb making a truly special axolotl.

Cheers Jacq.

 

[Scarlette]

Aw, the poor little dude! He's very cute and handsome though, you must be proud

 

[Jenilyn]

he was actually on black moon sand for a while and he didnt seem active and i wondered myself if it was the stumps instead of toes and feet that kept him from wanting to move about (as the black sand is quite dense, and doesnt have much "give" to it) so we moved my frog into the tank (as it was too small, again, we were told by the kid we adopted him from that he was small and ten gallons was enough, only a couple weeks and we realized he needed more!) i got the large gravel, it is about the size of an american quarter. we may try the sand again once toes start growing.

 

[Kerry1968]

I'm so impressed with the stories I've been reading of axolotl rescues. Good on you for taking on this axie, I hope he appreciates all you have done for him! Kerry.

 

[ianclick]

Hi Jenilyn,

I just wanted to add to what jacq said. My first axie was a mess when I was given her, missing toes big bite out of her tail, it has taken over year but she has regrown everything including 2 extra toes on her left front foot. She has 6 toes on her left front foot doesn't seem to help or hinder her but does make her truly unique.

 

[sheila robinson]

Congratulations! Smudge is cute and great photography. My axolotl, Moreton is in the process of growing back his front digits from when he was ill. I find it truely fascinating watching him (sometimes with a magnifying glass) I had to handle him quiet a bit; in and out of baths etc; and now he loves having a belly rub! and often comes up to see me when I come in the room and yet when a stranger comes near his tank he goes and hides. I have a glass bottom with large flat rocks which makes it so easy for cleaning. This photo was taken at the end of May so his digits are bigger now.

 

[ellenant]

Hi there,
great you saved that guy!
Did the little toes and fingers start to grow back yet?
I also got two axies from uni and they both missed all arms and legs,
I made up a thread here to show their regeneration.
I had my axies in bare glass bottom first, but they
were slipping around on it so now I have them on sand.
People here have scared me to death about swallowing pepples....:errr:
But they are much more active now with their sand...

I would love to hear about your progress!

 

[Axyloverxx]

I know what you mean Jacq. about the regeneration . My axies have just recovered from being sick and have now started to regrow their gills ( thank god ) . You must be so proud of Smudge!!