Illness/Sickness: Worried about my baby axolotl

Hi,

I'm new with taking care of axolotls so sorry if this is a stupid question but I got 2 axelotls from my girlfriend (I have them now for 2 days), 1 small and 1 bigger one (still babies) and I'm worried about the small one. It has one gill bitten off by half and a strange tail compared to the bigger one. They both eat very well, I give them blood worms and artemia. Can you guys check if something is wrong with my axolotl? If so I will visit a veterinary as fast as possible.
Hope you guys can help me out because I'm very worried.

I called the veterinary today and he told me this is a bad sign and there is nothing I can do. Does anyone have experience with this?

It really doesn't look like it requires more that some tlc. Have u checked the water parameters and how is the temp? Is there an experienced forum member who can help ease this guy's/gal's mind?

I would not worry too much. Just keep him in cool, clean, dechlorinated water and make sure the parameters are good. Keep an eye out for fungus (looks like fuzzy cotton wool).

I went to a specialised aquarium shop with a sample of the water and a picture of the axolotl, the seller (who has axolotls at home for a few years now) told me my water parameters are good and that it's not as bad as it looks. He recommended me Catappa leaves (1 in the aquarium till it's rotten away and then a new one) and Nitridac (5ml once every 6 months). What do you guys think about this? I keep the temperature between 18 and 21 degrees.

Catapa leaves or Indian almond leaves do have some antibacterial and antifungal properties. I have not heard of nitridic but would use caution against adding any chemical as some treatments are not good for axolotls. I don't think it is necessary at this stage to offer too much in terms of treatments. It should heal in good water conditions. Indian almond leaves may be a mild solution that you could offer but be aware they can drop the PH. A black tea bath can also offer similar antifungal and antibacterial properties and could be another option.

I would suggest investing in your own liquid test kit if you can. It is important to test the water regularly (I would test at least once a week in a cycled tank (more often if the tank is cycling). It is also important to know what the exact readings are particularly as some stores will say the water test was good when there was something not quite right. Having your own kit gives you more control and saves the trips to the store.

I have my own test kit and I test the water every day, just wanted someone else (with experience) to check my water to be sure. This is the product that I was recommended (Nitridac) It's not chemical and the recipe says that its not toxic for water animals. Here's a picture of the product.

Why would you need to add bacteria to your tank ? If your water perameters are good then this product could upset the balance. From what I could find to read it seems to be marketed to speed up the cycling of a new tank.

If your tank is cycled and the parameters are good I don't see any real benefit from adding the nitridac. I would just monitor for now and keep his water quality perfect. And maybe if you really would feel more comfortable using a treatment, I would opt for a black tea bath but I don't see the need to get too carried away at this stage adding treatments.

Hi I am unsure if this will be of use... but I do know that if it is a ph imbalance you'll need to act immediately. I reccommend putting the babe in a tupperware container with SPRING WATER, you can get this at any grocery. Then put the little bugger in the fridge and try not to disturb except for feeding. This process will help limbs grow back and put the babe in a safe/prime conditions for regeneration. Actually on the site there is a GREAT fridging guide in the sick Axie section of the forum. Hope everything comes out alright, if not dont give up hope they are so delicate at that young age.