Fridging and feeding

[jojo9380]

Hi all. I have a young axolotl about 7 inches long. When I got it I used media from my fishtank to set up an instantly cycled tank (or so I thought)

Anyway to cut a long story short I have been monitoring the water every day, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. I have been getting readings every day for nitrite at 0.25ppm and so have been changing 50% of the water every day.

Started today water change and left the room to grab another bucket. I returned to find the poor thing had been sucked in to the syphon tube. I cannot believe it I am so so angry with myself for leaving it unsupervised for that brief moment. In all the weeks I have had him he has never come to investigate before, I'm so upset right now and feel so guilty.

He was majorly stressed out and has a few blood marks under his skin from the
suction.

I couldn't think of anything to do apart from fridge him to de stress him, so he is in there now and his water is gradually reducing in temp.

So my questions are, Should I keep him fridged and continue to cycle with household ammonia then put him back when it is complete, to reduce anymore stress? And if so, do I need to feed him?

I am so disgusted with myself and probably don't even deserve to have him

Any advice will be greatly appreciated x

[Cassie]

Don't be so hard on yourself. Mistakes like this can happen. Is it a regular 'manual' siphon tube? He's likely a bit beat up and bruised, as well as a bit upset, but they are very good at healing and much less prone to grudges than we are.

Perhaps a little time in the fridge to let him relax and start healing, then return him to his habitat once it's ready.

Everyone goofs up once in a while, and we all learn from our mistakes. I hope everything works out and I'm sure your little buddy won't hold it against you.

[jojo9380]

Hi Cassie. Thank you for the words of reassurance. I did read your message on the same day as you posted it, but on my mobile, and it wouldn't let me reply! I have only just got access to my laptop.
I am so happy to report that things are fine now, he is back to his normal self. It was a manual syphon yes, wasn't pleasant to witness
He spent 24 hours in the fridge which did the trick to calm him.

Thanks again :) x