Question: Axolotl Died yesterday, do my tank numbers look ok?

[wjw]

Hi,

We have had our (4) lotties for about two months. One died yesterday after exhibiting unusual behaviour the day before, gulping air and floating near the surface.

Tank conditions today are 0.25 Ammonia, 2ppm NO2, 0 No3 and pH 6.2

This is the same as a week ago.

Two weeks ago the pH was higher at 7.2 and Ammonia was 0.

I haven't found anything online to suggest the pH change would cause issues, so we are assuming it's not water related.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[ngphoenix]

What were the Nitrite levels like two weeks ago? Nitrite turns haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in blood, into methemoglobin which can't carry oxygen. This may be why your axolotl was near the surface gulping air.

 

[wjw]

What were the Nitrite levels like two weeks ago? Nitrite turns haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in blood, into methemoglobin which can't carry oxygen. This may be why your axolotl was near the surface gulping air.

Two weeks ago we were:

NO2 - 2ppm
NO3 - 0ppm
Ammonia - 0

We have another one that has just started gulping air and swimming close to the surface,

 

[ngphoenix]

Any level of ammonia or NO2 above zero is dangerous. Get them to clean dechlorinated water ASAP. If you have a bubbler bring it with. Search up nitrite poisoning and see what can be done after they are moved.

 

[wjw]

Any level of ammonia or NO2 above zero is dangerous. Get them to clean dechlorinated water ASAP. If you have a bubbler bring it with. Search up nitrite poisoning and see what can be done after they are moved.

I have done some further reading and it looks like the cycle has stalled. Any recommendations on how to get it going again?

 

[wjw]

We spoke to the breeder that we got the lotties off today and she said there have been quite a few deaths over the last two weeks including some of her big ones, she thinks something went wrong with the local water supply.

She recommended changing out the water in the tank, which we have now done... hopefully our other lotties will survice