Illness/Sickness: Sick axolotl? Maybe

[moonsandowls]

I fear that my female widtype axolotl may be sick. Ever since I got her she has been lethargic and a really slow eater. I fed her last night and she completely shunned the meal. She wouldn't even go for it. The water is fine and the tank is good and the male axolotl moves around fine enough and eats like a horse.. but she won't. I don't know why? She moved sometimes when i'm not around but not very much. Her tail is curved so her body is in a C shape. I have no idea why she would be stressed? I am new to Axolotl keeping and I am completely bewilered. Does anyone have any idea why she is like this?

 

[Bdyoung]

What are the levels in your tank? What's your tank layout? Some pictures would help.

 

[axolotl newbie]

Hello. What conditions was she kept in before you got her?

 

[moonsandowls]

Hello. What conditions was she kept in before you got her?

I'm not sure. I know that the lady I got them off only changed the water once a month so i'm guessing pretty poor as the water gets cloudy over a week or so period. She had plants all bunched up in one corner with the air pump and direct sunlight I think.

I'm not sure what the other member means by "levels" but I do water changes every week and i'm pretty sure they're fine? :uhoh: The male is really really active and actually swims more than I expected he would.

I'm pretty sure the female is about 1 year old and about 10cms if that helps. :blob:

 

[moonsandowls]

This was their tank before I got them. It's reasonable size (adequate) but the plants and air filter are all bunched up into the corner.

I changed it and spread the plants around more so that they are easier to access around and replicate a pond more. The gravel isn't really an issue as the male swims up and eats mostly and rests among the plants and if he does swallow gravel he chokes it back up. I hate it and I am getting silica sand soon. The female just won't eat even if the food is right in front of her or will take minute bites that probably won't even get to her stomach.

 

[axolotl newbie]

That's what I was afraid of. It's very likely that she's swallowed one of the stones which will have caused a blockage. There will be lots of threads on here on the subject, and I believe the right course of action is a stint in the fridge as it will help her to pass the stone! Here's a guide

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...ick-axolotl/85263-axolotl-fridging-guide.html

and if you do a search on swallowed stones you will probably find all the information you need. If you have gravel in your tank it will need to be removed.

The levels being referred to are the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite in the water. You can buy testing kits for this. There is loads of information on this forum- I'd have been lost without it!

 

[moonsandowls]

I thought it could be that, but I left her for a few days so that I could get everything sorted so I can do the fridging with no hassles. But now i've gone and seen her she's swimming around ALOT and is quite a deal fatter, i've noticed. Maybe shes pregnant? Maybe she had the heebeejeebees D: :wacko:

As for the gravel, yes, I hate it, I am buying silicia sand soon when I have the money :happy:

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I had a similar problem when I rehomed 2 axolotls in July; the previous owner kept them on gravel and only cleaned them out every 5 weeks! I could have cried :lame: Following their "big move" I couldn't get my female to eat either whereas the male was a greedy guts. I think everyone's pretty much covered what needs to be done though and throw that awful gravel out the window once its replaced, haha!

 

[moonsandowls]

I had a similar problem when I rehomed 2 axolotls in July; the previous owner kept them on gravel and only cleaned them out every 5 weeks! I could have cried :lame: Following their "big move" I couldn't get my female to eat either whereas the male was a greedy guts. I think everyone's pretty much covered what needs to be done though and throw that awful gravel out the window once its replaced, haha!

Yeah, thanks! That's what the old owners done, changed the water every 1-2 months! How could they leave it that much.. it's just gross and cruel.. I've noticed now that they are both swimming a lot more and she has too I haven't fed her yet but i'm positive she will start eating. She is also getting bigger I think she may be carrying eggs! exciting. Yeah, I need to take the gravel out and get silica sand, but New Zealand is so expensive!! It's going to have to wait, as much as I have it :nono: thank you all

 

[Harpii]

She might have been stressed from the move, my axies acted strange when we first got them but after a few days they seemed to enjoy their new home and became a little more active and settled. The increased sized could be from impaction but hopefully its not and she is pregnant, If you have to wait long to buy sand due to expenses then i'd remove all the gravel now and just let them live in a bare bottom tank, better that than them swallowing a piece and getting impacted, one of my axies had impaction as the pet shop kept him on gravel but he passed it all within a month, thankfully, but it can cause serious illness or even be fatal.
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[moonsandowls]

She might have been stressed from the move, my axies acted strange when we first got them but after a few days they seemed to enjoy their new home and became a little more active and settled. The increased sized could be from impaction but hopefully its not and she is pregnant, If you have to wait long to buy sand due to expenses then i'd remove all the gravel now and just let them live in a bare bottom tank, better that than them swallowing a piece and getting impacted, one of my axies had impaction as the pet shop kept him on gravel but he passed it all within a month, thankfully, but it can cause serious illness or even be fatal.
​

Yes thank you, I will do that

 

[moonsandowls]

Quick update

My two axolotls have been ultra active. Like, swimming EVERYWHERE. All the time. I think it's a good thing. The other night, I went to feed and the male is a greedy guts as usual but the girl still wouldn't feed out of my hand. I don't think she likes it so I just left it by her mouth. Came back and she had eaten it and had spewed up some so I knew she had eaten it. I'm wandering if she is just shy.

is there a reason they're really active? Is it a sign that breeding is going to start, or are they just happy?

 

[jessicaanne]

Increased activity levels may be a sign of poor water quality. Have you tested the water recently?

 

[moonsandowls]

Increased activity levels may be a sign of poor water quality. Have you tested the water recently?

Really? Why is that? They just swim.. Before they just sat there I thought that it'd be a good thing. No I haven't, I need to get a new test kit ):

 

[jessicaanne]

Really? Why is that? They just swim.. Before they just sat there I thought that it'd be a good thing. No I haven't, I need to get a new test kit ):

It may not be anything to worry about but testing the water will clarify it :happy: If they aren't swimming frantically into the sides of the tank and/or going to the surface frequently then they may just be 'happy'. Also, my male in particular will swim a lot before he poops.

 

[dvsgal]

Collect a sample of the tank water in a clean jar/container.
Take it to the local pet shop and get it tested.

Very active axolotls could also be a bad thing.

Some pet stores don't charge for this service.