Norman is sick!

Please can any1 help me my ax(Norman) is sick and I am really worried he is going to die, he is going to the top of the tank alot and when he isn't at the top he is floating right by the filter, I thought it might be the water so I have put him in the fridge but didn't dechlorinate the water because I read a thread about that helping with fungus. He hasn't eaten in four days and when he ate four days ago he only ate two pellets. He used to have a really big appetite and was no problem to feed but he has recently lost ALOT of weight and will just throw up whatever I try and force feed him. I really hope it was just the water and have done a 100% water change which I know will shock the tank but I hope that him being in the hospital for a few days will get some of the good stuff back in the tank. I don't know what else to do. The Ph seemed fine but I think I had too much waste in there because I recently moved out and no-one is taking care of him. When the tank got emptied I couldn't see through the water. I just hope it's not too late to help him.

Joshua, please put dechlorinator in Norman's water straight away. Tap water can be used to treat fungus, but should be only used in short baths of no more than 10 mins.

I hope somebody can help you with the rest. Wish you the best luck with your axie Norman

[kapo]

What is the temperature of your fridge? Your axie may not eat in the fridge if it's lower than 8 degree celcius, as it's metabolism slows down.

If he has fungus, I know someone on here treated their axie with fungus using tapwater but I wouldn't. The other usual method is doing saltbaths: 2-3 teaspoons of salt per litre or pint of water. Bathe axie for 10 minutess (15 minutes maximum) 2 (or 3 if able) times per day. If your axie is in the fridge, keep a bottle or two of dechlorinated water in the fridge so the daily waterchanges and saltbaths, if you're doing them, are all the same temperature so it doesn't stress him.

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>Quoting Sherri on Tuesday 19 December 2006 - 10:00 (#POST115147):</font>

I hope that him being in the hospital for a few days will get some of the good stuff back in the tank<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

By doing the 100% waterchange your tank will be cycling again, which will take longer than a few days to establish the good stuff. Read following article : http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml and any questions just ask.

As well as pH, you should also test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; even more so the last the 3 especially while it is cycling and once cycled regularly (if you think there may be a problem with water).

If you don't already have one, invest in a turkey baster, this will help with daily/every other day spot cleaning of uneaten food waste (if any) or poo.

do you have sand, river rocks, bare floor or gravel?

Another thing to keep an eye on especially with your hot summers will be tank temperature, but I'm sure you know, and hope in the meantime Norman improves!

Welcome to the forum by the way!

Do you now have Norman permanently or will he be going back to live the the other people? I hope you have him, as it sounds like you will look after him better anyway.