Axolotls are very unique creatures that are becoming very popular pets. However, there isn’t really that much information out there yet, but we have researched every piece of information available so let us explain whether or not axolotls can breathe air and exactly how they do breathe…
Axolotls can breathe air because they do have lungs. Axolotls lungs are not very developed or strong. Axolotls can breathe a tiny bit of air, but their lungs are not strong enough for air to be the sole source of their oxygen intake.
Everything you need to know about axolotls…
You will see your axolotl swim to the top of the tank every now and then and breathe in a tiny bit of air. You can picture them swallowing a bubble. It will usually cause your axolotl to float at the top of the tank until they rip a good burp.
This is not their primary way to breathe or take in oxygen but is somewhat of an emergency way for them to breathe and it can be fun to watch. So, how do axolotls breathe? It is very interesting, so let’s dive in…
Axolotls actually have four different ways to breathe or take in oxygen. They are:
Through Their Lungs
Through Their Gills
Through Their Skin
Buccal Respiration from The Throat
Even though breathing through their lungs is the last source of breathing for an axolotl, it is the only way they can actually breathe air, which is the subject of this post, so let’s talk about their lungs first…
Axolotls Breathing Through Their Lungs
The problem with an axolotl’s lungs is that they are very basic and underdeveloped compared to an animal that normally breathes air for oxygen.
Their lungs are an emergency backup for when oxygen in the water is too low. This may be why you rarely see your axolotl swim to the top of the tank just to breathe air.
Anyone who has an aquarium is usually educated enough to do regular water changes and keep the tank water oxygenated, so axolotls won’t need their emergency lungs as much as they may need in the wild if the oxygen supply becomes too low.
With that being said, if you do see your axolotl swimming to the top of the tank a lot to try to gulp some air then you should probably check your water parameters as there may be something wrong. This can be a bit confusing, because axolotls will actually breathe in air bubbles just to play around.
So, if they are sucking down bubblies and your water quality is good, I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Especially if they are younger. You know most of us have sucked down a bubbly or two when we were young just to have more fun.
All joking aside though, even if you think they are sucking down bubbles for fun, you should test your water immediately to make sure the quality is up to par.
Okay, now let’s learn how axolotls do actually breathe or take in oxygen.
Axolotls Breathing Through Their Gills
The gills are one of the most noticeable body parts of an axolotl as they look like octopus tentacles or something crazy at the back of their head and are part of the appearance that sets axolotls apart from other aquarium pets.
Axolotls have three gills on either side of their head that they keep for their entire lives. Their gills work like the gills of a fish, which is why axolotls live completely in the water.
Axolotls use their gills to suck oxygen out of the water and into their bodies. After the oxygen is taken into the body, C02 is passed into the water through the gills also. An axolotl does not have to be moving for their gills to work, all they have to do is move their gills. This is why your axolotl may spend a lot of time not moving around their tank.
Be careful when you have more than one axolotl in the tank because they are known for cannibalism. They could possibly damage each other’s gills.
Never fear though because they can still breathe right with damaged gills and since axolotls regenerate practically all of their body parts, their gills will grow back rather quickly.
You also need to check the gills when buying an axolotl as they may already be damaged.
Axolotls Breathe Through Their Skin
When axolotls breathe through their skin, it is called cutaneous respiration. The axolotl’s skin is very thin so when ever they move or they are hit by moving water, oxygen passes through their skin very easily.
Wow! That is insane. I wish I could breathe through my skin, I probably would be gagging for air whenever I go jogging haha…
The oxygen that passes through their skin hits the blood vessels closest to their skin and then is transported through he rest of their body through the blood. This is done by gasses passing through the skin and is aided by the slimy skin of the axolotl.
This is why the axolotl’s skin is always slimy or wet and moist. Breathing through the skin is a common trait amongst all salamanders like the axolotl but axolotls are the only salamanders that have the ability to live on land.
If you ever find that your axolotls’ skin isn’t slimy, then you should have them checked out as soon as possible.
Axolotls Breathing with Buccal Respiration from The Throat
To do this, axolotls use a membrane or flap of skin in the back of their throat to take in oxygen the same way they absorb oxygen through the skin. This flap of skin is called the buccopharyngeal membrane and when water hits it just like the skin, oxygen is absorbed by the blood vessels and transported through the blood.
Axolotls also use this flap in the back of their throat to eat as well.
Conclusion
Okay, hopefully you aren’t bored out of your mind now haha. If your anything like us you love to read about your aquarium pets.
Now that you know that axolotls absorb oxygen in the water directly through their skin, you need to understand how important it is to keep the water clean. Just check the water quality in between water changes because sometimes you will have to change your axolotls’ water more than once per week.
