Danicus12
New member
Hey all,
I've just lost the last of two axolotls I had due to what I suspect is gravel impaction. Here is a list of hard lessons I've learned from this whole experience, feel free to add to it.
1. GRAVEL KILLS. If it's small enough to get down their throat it will. Don't listen to ANYONE who tells you different. Even if your local aquarium store folk say they've never had trouble with gravel and axolotls don't buy gravel.
2. Monitor your Axolotl's weight, width etc. I know this seems obvious but I'd never noticed how skinny my Axolotl was until I got her out of the tank and into a container for the fridge because she was showing other symptoms of ill health.
3. If you suspect impaction, do a manual check of the body. That is, gently run your (wet) hands or fingers down the sides of the axolotl's body and tail to feel for anomalies. After my Axolotl had died I found the impaction, above and behind the back legs, it feels like either one big stone or two side by side.
4. Be aware that, in certain environments, looking after your Axolotl can be expensive. Consider this, do research, is a AU$25 animal worth a AU$500-600 chiller, as an example? In my case it was a yes but maybe not everybody will come up with the same answer.
5. Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions or questions that might show your mismangement or ignorance of a situation. This is the best way to help your gilled buddy.
6. Monitor your Axolotl's gait (the way it walks). In my case of impaction I had noticed that the back legs weren't working well but dismissed it as the Axolotl just being a bit uncoordinated. It was only after the Axolotl had died and I found where the impaction was that I connected the two.
I've just lost the last of two axolotls I had due to what I suspect is gravel impaction. Here is a list of hard lessons I've learned from this whole experience, feel free to add to it.
1. GRAVEL KILLS. If it's small enough to get down their throat it will. Don't listen to ANYONE who tells you different. Even if your local aquarium store folk say they've never had trouble with gravel and axolotls don't buy gravel.
2. Monitor your Axolotl's weight, width etc. I know this seems obvious but I'd never noticed how skinny my Axolotl was until I got her out of the tank and into a container for the fridge because she was showing other symptoms of ill health.
3. If you suspect impaction, do a manual check of the body. That is, gently run your (wet) hands or fingers down the sides of the axolotl's body and tail to feel for anomalies. After my Axolotl had died I found the impaction, above and behind the back legs, it feels like either one big stone or two side by side.
4. Be aware that, in certain environments, looking after your Axolotl can be expensive. Consider this, do research, is a AU$25 animal worth a AU$500-600 chiller, as an example? In my case it was a yes but maybe not everybody will come up with the same answer.
5. Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions or questions that might show your mismangement or ignorance of a situation. This is the best way to help your gilled buddy.
6. Monitor your Axolotl's gait (the way it walks). In my case of impaction I had noticed that the back legs weren't working well but dismissed it as the Axolotl just being a bit uncoordinated. It was only after the Axolotl had died and I found where the impaction was that I connected the two.
