ChristineB
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- May 6, 2015
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- Location
- CA - California
- Country
- United States
- Display Name
- Christine
One of my leucistic P. waltls went very pale a couple days ago. Her sister has always been a little darker, but now the difference is stark; the affected one (Gussie) is almost pure white instead of her normal pink. She's still eating, seems normally active, and neither the other leucistic or the wild type in her tank seem affected. I checked water quality and the only thing off was high nitrates. (I wasn't checking as often since I have a zillion plants in there, but that explains the algae bloom.)
I did a couple partial water changes the last couple days and everything is back in the ideal ranges, no ammonia of course! But Gussie isn't darker, so now I don't think that's the problem. I have noticed that while not floating or struggling, she does seem to be carrying her rear end a little high, and the tank is looking a bit overgrown, so it's extremely possible she could have swallowed some java moss or other plants while eating to cause constipation. Could that be all it is? I found one reference in my forum search to a pale axie that resolved after pooping. Gussie looks dark on her translucent sides, but not sure if that's what she's digested, or she's gravid again.
Anything else I should watch for or do? How long should I give her before drastic measures like fridging to induce pooping? (If that's even a good idea.) Up until now, Gussie has always been my biggest, strongest, healthiest newt!
I did a couple partial water changes the last couple days and everything is back in the ideal ranges, no ammonia of course! But Gussie isn't darker, so now I don't think that's the problem. I have noticed that while not floating or struggling, she does seem to be carrying her rear end a little high, and the tank is looking a bit overgrown, so it's extremely possible she could have swallowed some java moss or other plants while eating to cause constipation. Could that be all it is? I found one reference in my forum search to a pale axie that resolved after pooping. Gussie looks dark on her translucent sides, but not sure if that's what she's digested, or she's gravid again.
Anything else I should watch for or do? How long should I give her before drastic measures like fridging to induce pooping? (If that's even a good idea.) Up until now, Gussie has always been my biggest, strongest, healthiest newt!