lmj65
New member
We are new to the forum and have been reading and learning from everyone here since we got our little guy in late June. Now we have a very sick axolotl and could use some advice.
I will try to make a long story short:
Our guy (gal?) is about 4 inches long (3 inches not including the tail). He is in a 20 gallon tank that we thought was completely cycled. There is fine aquarium sand on the bottom. We have hard water and the ph is typically tests 7.6 or 7.8. Ammonia has been 0-0.25 ppm, nitrites 0 and nitrates 0. Temperature has been between 68-70 F.
We were on vacation for a week and had a neighbor feeding, monitoring temperature and cleaning the tank. When we returned, my son mentioned that our axolotl seemed more inactive than usual. I took a look, but didn't see anything too alarming. I was busy unpacking and I didn't take the time. I am regretting this now. The next morning, my son did a water change. I neglected to have him check the ammonia level (again, fail on my part). The next day, the axie was very listless and his back legs and one front leg appeared to be paralyzed. We checked the ammonia and it was at 2.0. We got him out of the tank immediately and put him in a small critter keeper tank.
He is still alive, but moving very little. He has not wanted to eat. His tail is now bent at the tip, which I have seen mentioned as a sign of stress. We have gotten the ammonia under control. Any ideas about what else we can do for him? I have read about fridging axolotls, but I had only seen that mentioned in reference to impacting or infection. Is this something we should try? Is there any hope for this little guy? I am feeling very guilty for not listening to my son and getting this under control more quickly. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I will try to make a long story short:
Our guy (gal?) is about 4 inches long (3 inches not including the tail). He is in a 20 gallon tank that we thought was completely cycled. There is fine aquarium sand on the bottom. We have hard water and the ph is typically tests 7.6 or 7.8. Ammonia has been 0-0.25 ppm, nitrites 0 and nitrates 0. Temperature has been between 68-70 F.
We were on vacation for a week and had a neighbor feeding, monitoring temperature and cleaning the tank. When we returned, my son mentioned that our axolotl seemed more inactive than usual. I took a look, but didn't see anything too alarming. I was busy unpacking and I didn't take the time. I am regretting this now. The next morning, my son did a water change. I neglected to have him check the ammonia level (again, fail on my part). The next day, the axie was very listless and his back legs and one front leg appeared to be paralyzed. We checked the ammonia and it was at 2.0. We got him out of the tank immediately and put him in a small critter keeper tank.
He is still alive, but moving very little. He has not wanted to eat. His tail is now bent at the tip, which I have seen mentioned as a sign of stress. We have gotten the ammonia under control. Any ideas about what else we can do for him? I have read about fridging axolotls, but I had only seen that mentioned in reference to impacting or infection. Is this something we should try? Is there any hope for this little guy? I am feeling very guilty for not listening to my son and getting this under control more quickly. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.