Re: Help please i think he is diening
Hi Axygirl,
ammonia,nitrate etc are ok checked theses with vet maybe a little high but nothing to drastic.
Any reading over '0' in Ammonia or Nitrite can be deadly to an axolotl. Some axies tolerate the presence of ammonia better than others.
I would suggest you put the sick axie in quarantine to prevent possible spread of disease to the other axolotl.
Take the sick axolotl out of the tank, pop him in a tub of fresh dechlorinated water and pop him in the fridge. The fridge will slow his metabolism so he will not be inclined to eat, but the weight loss will also slow right down which buys you time to ascertain the problem and correct it.
You will need to keep water in the fridge to use for water changes so he is not subjected to temperature shock.
If he has impaction the fridge will help pass the stone.
EDIT: Just read your next post.
If he is floating excessively but there is no gravel in his gut, this takes us back to water quality and tank environment.
Do you test the water for Ammonia?
How frequently do you conduct water changes and how much water is replaced each time?
Is there any water current in the tank? Water movement will stress an axolotl and they will float due to this stress.
If you would like to try to get him to eat, you can place his tub somewhere cool in the house (and above all SAFE) and feed him while he is isolated and in fresh, cool and still water.
If you could wrap the container to keep it dark this will help the axie feel secure and hopefully encourage him to eat - I would leave him a worm and let him eat in privacy - worms can survive for quite some time under water and will not rot while alive.
Keep the water to be used for the daily water changes in the room with him so the water is kept to a consistant temperature.
He looks kind of bloated which makes me think gas bubbles?
I note by looking through your gallery pictures that you have or have had glass pebbles and gravel in your tank. It's possible he may be suffering from impaction - any rock smaller than two centimeters in diameter presents a danger to the axolotls and they can retain gravel for a long period of time before it starts to shift.
As well as the dangers of impaction, gravel and stones will trap a lot of wastes under their surface and if not removed these trapped wastes will pollute the water very quickly wreaking havoc with water quality.
Water quality is most important to an axolotl's health.
Are you shifting
all of the rocks around when doing your cleaning? This is the only way to clear the grot out.
the temp is around 20 (im trying my best to keep it down).
If the tank is at a constant 20C, I would leave it be. Fluctuating temperatures can stress an axolotl.
What high temperature is it reaching to make you wish to keep it down? Temperatures over 24C are dangerous. Temperatures toward the warmer side of the scale will also make Ammonia more toxic.
his tank mate is another axolotl and there always fine with each other.
How large is the tank and how long has it been established?
he has no other signs/symptoms.
he was at the vets monday and she said nothing looks odd other than he looks bloated and his gills are pale are short(er).
Loss of appetite and bloated are symptoms of illness.
When you say the gills are shorter, do the gills seem shriveled or are they still feathery?
the skin doesnt have any problems, ive tried to handle him and fed but nothing is working.
Axolotls should never be handled unless absolutely necessary as the oils in our skin can affect their slimecoats - the axolotls slime coat is it's main line of defence against disease.
Handling of the axolotl will also stress him, and while stressed he will not eat.
Are you able to take a photo of the sick axolotl? If you could take side view and top view shots this would be most helpful.
