When i went to feed my axolotls this morning (Plato the black wild and Aristotle the yellow) i found that Aristotle's gills had been mowed on one side. He still has one side of fluffy gills but the other is completely bald! He and Plato both ate normally, (1 square of beef heart each) and the tank temperature is still at 18 degrees despite the heat wave. So I wasn't quite sure why his frills had been reduced to stubs, could it be the feeder fish nibbling at them? Could it be Plato nibbling at them? Is it a disease? Is it too hot? I'm fearing the worst, as when i later came and checked up on him he was floating close to the surface, motionless... For a minute i thought he was dead but then he flicked his stubs and sank back down to the bottom. He has been going up for air more frequently than normal today, (i assume because of the lack of gillyness), and has been a bit restless. I changed the tank water as soon as i saw him floating, (it really did scare me) and i'm contemplating getting rid of those feeder fish, as well as contemplating putting him in the fridge. Does anyone have any advice? Why are his gills gone/how do i get them back/will he be alright?
Here are some details: I feed them every 2-3 days and do a 50% water change every week, with a 100% change every month. I have a filter on 16 hours a day and 2 living plants for that touch more oxygen. the tank is 2 feet long (60cm) 1 foot high and 1 foot wide, plenty of room for 2 axolotls and their feeder fish pals. PH is 6.8 after i just changed the water.
Here are some details: I feed them every 2-3 days and do a 50% water change every week, with a 100% change every month. I have a filter on 16 hours a day and 2 living plants for that touch more oxygen. the tank is 2 feet long (60cm) 1 foot high and 1 foot wide, plenty of room for 2 axolotls and their feeder fish pals. PH is 6.8 after i just changed the water.