New Axolotl

[NewbieAxie]

hi, I have just recently adopted a juvenile gfp golden albino a 2,3weeks ago. For the time being I don’t even know if it’s a girl or a boy so I’m just going to leave it as it. I have did research about the tank setup and water parameters before picking it up. The condition of the axolotl was not in the best shape as of what I can see, the left side of its gills were a lot smaller than the right side and missing a lot of it’s head ferns. The front limbs were missing toes? I’m not sure if it’s called toes but yeah, there was only 2 toes on each front limbs. I have a api freshwater test kit and I have checked the water parameters before introducing it into the tank. I have been doing water checks every week for just in case because I’m new at this and all the parameters are fine, just the ammonia is always a little off ( I will attached pics ). It has been doing fine, eating well, pretty active too. Compared to when I first got it, it’s left gills are starting to grow out more and in the front limbs, there’s 3 toes now. But for the past 2 days I have noticed that it’s body has been getting a little chubby compared to when I first got it. It was pretty skinny when I got it. I have checked all the water parameters and it’s same as always and it’s still eating normal. I tried to check online and see if it’s bloated but I can’t seem to find an answer. Please help ! I’m not sure if it just getting better or getting fat.
These are pics of when I first got him:

water parameters: ( 2 of the test tubes broke so I can’t check all 4 levels at the same time ) The nitrite is always at 0 ppm and the nitrate is always at 0 ppm and from time to time it’s slightly yellowish orange so I’m guessing in between 0 ppm and 5 ppm. As you can see the ammonia is slightly green so it not really at 0 ppm. When that happens, I always do a water change of 30% of the water and it will go back to 0 ppm.

Now these are the most recent pics I took (from yesterday)

Please help, let me know if it’s just getting fatter or it’s bloated and what can I do for help it from the bloat.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

hi, I have just recently adopted a juvenile gfp golden albino a 2,3weeks ago. For the time being I don’t even know if it’s a girl or a boy so I’m just going to leave it as it. I have did research about the tank setup and water parameters before picking it up. The condition of the axolotl was not in the best shape as of what I can see, the left side of its gills were a lot smaller than the right side and missing a lot of it’s head ferns. The front limbs were missing toes? I’m not sure if it’s called toes but yeah, there was only 2 toes on each front limbs. I have a api freshwater test kit and I have checked the water parameters before introducing it into the tank. I have been doing water checks every week for just in case because I’m new at this and all the parameters are fine, just the ammonia is always a little off ( I will attached pics ). It has been doing fine, eating well, pretty active too. Compared to when I first got it, it’s left gills are starting to grow out more and in the front limbs, there’s 3 toes now. But for the past 2 days I have noticed that it’s body has been getting a little chubby compared to when I first got it. It was pretty skinny when I got it. I have checked all the water parameters and it’s same as always and it’s still eating normal. I tried to check online and see if it’s bloated but I can’t seem to find an answer. Please help ! I’m not sure if it just getting better or getting fat.
These are pics of when I first got him:
View attachment 88508View attachment 88510View attachment 88511View attachment 88509
water parameters: ( 2 of the test tubes broke so I can’t check all 4 levels at the same time ) The nitrite is always at 0 ppm and the nitrate is always at 0 ppm and from time to time it’s slightly yellowish orange so I’m guessing in between 0 ppm and 5 ppm. As you can see the ammonia is slightly green so it not really at 0 ppm. When that happens, I always do a water change of 30% of the water and it will go back to 0 ppm.View attachment 88512
Now these are the most recent pics I took (from yesterday)View attachment 88513View attachment 88514View attachment 88515
Please help, let me know if it’s just getting fatter or it’s bloated and what can I do for help it from the bloat.

My biggest concern based on its size and that fact that it was clearly underfed when you brought it home would be whether or not it has been accidentally ingesting some of the sand. Generally speaking, I dont like to house axolotls on sand until they are a bit bigger for this very reason. It looks fine grain enough that it should pass on it's own, but you may want to consider tubbing him/her temporarily so you can prevent him from eating any more sand and to watch for sand to be pooped out.

Definitely looks like he/she is putting some weight on, which is great. And the gills do look better. I am glad you are keeping a close eye on the water parameters and are diligent with the water changes. Those are all very good things.

What have you been feeding him/her? how much and how often?

 

[NewbieAxie]

My biggest concern based on its size and that fact that it was clearly underfed when you brought it home would be whether or not it has been accidentally ingesting some of the sand. Generally speaking, I dont like to house axolotls on sand until they are a bit bigger for this very reason. It looks fine grain enough that it should pass on it's own, but you may want to consider tubbing him/her temporarily so you can prevent him from eating any more sand and to watch for sand to be pooped out.

Definitely looks like he/she is putting some weight on, which is great. And the gills do look better. I am glad you are keeping a close eye on the water parameters and are diligent with the water changes. Those are all very good things.

What have you been feeding him/her? how much and how often?

At first I was feeding frozen blood worms but as I did for a week or so, the has gotten way too messy and I had to do a water change almost every other day because the messiness is throwing off the Ammonia readings. I switched to night crawlers. As it’s still pretty small, I chopped it up into parts that’s about 1/2 cm so it would be easier for my axolotl to eat it. After 1 bite, it stop taking it so I switched it back to blood worms until the soft pellets I ordered comes in. Once I have received the pellets, I have been feeding it that ( for about 1 week or so). Normally I will feed it every other day based on what I have read online and saw on youtube. I feed about 4,5 pellets depending on how much it will take within 2,3 mins. It’s pooping normally I would say. I will see 1 or 2 poop around every other day and I will suck it out from the tank with a turkey baster when I see it. But if I’m not from from work and I see that there squashed up poop, I will suck out some of the sand that is mixed up with the poop.
So base on what you are saying, my axolotl is just gaining weight and not bloating up ?

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

At first I was feeding frozen blood worms but as I did for a week or so, the has gotten way too messy and I had to do a water change almost every other day because the messiness is throwing off the Ammonia readings. I switched to night crawlers. As it’s still pretty small, I chopped it up into parts that’s about 1/2 cm so it would be easier for my axolotl to eat it. After 1 bite, it stop taking it so I switched it back to blood worms until the soft pellets I ordered comes in. Once I have received the pellets, I have been feeding it that ( for about 1 week or so). Normally I will feed it every other day based on what I have read online and saw on youtube. I feed about 4,5 pellets depending on how much it will take within 2,3 mins. It’s pooping normally I would say. I will see 1 or 2 poop around every other day and I will suck it out from the tank with a turkey baster when I see it. But if I’m not from from work and I see that there squashed up poop, I will suck out some of the sand that is mixed up with the poop.
So base on what you are saying, my axolotl is just gaining weight and not bloating up ?

appears to just be gaining weight, which is needed. Their body should be about as wide as their head (so he has a little ways to go still to get there). Sometimes their abdomen may look a little lumpy like that after a large meal, but as long as they are eating and pooping fine, I wouldn't be too concerned. just be mindful of the sand issue and keep him well fed.

 

[NewbieAxie]

appears to just be gaining weight, which is needed. Their body should be about as wide as their head (so he has a little ways to go still to get there). Sometimes their abdomen may look a little lumpy like that after a large meal, but as long as they are eating and pooping fine, I wouldn't be too concerned. just be mindful of the sand issue and keep him well fed.

Ok I will. Thanks a bunch. I guy I got him from just told me to put it in a small plastic betta tank without any filter and it will be fine. But I did my own research just to be sure.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Ok I will. Thanks a bunch. I guy I got him from just told me to put it in a small plastic betta tank without any filter and it will be fine. But I did my own research just to be sure.

oh yikes. I hope he didnt have any other axolotls. That is a horrible and cruel (and would be very short) existence. I am very glad you were able to rescue the little guy and as I said, he looks to be putting on good weight. Bloodworms definitely are messy and they have very little nutritional value so arent great long term. You can try earthworms again when he gets a bit bigger. Canadian nightcrawlers don't have the best acceptance rate in my experience, but red wiggler and european nightcrawlers are both great options. Red wigglers do produce a bitter slime coat that axolotls don't care for so they need to be rinsed in hot water first or blanched to remove that.

 

[NewbieAxie]

oh yikes. I hope he didnt have any other axolotls. That is a horrible and cruel (and would be very short) existence. I am very glad you were able to rescue the little guy and as I said, he looks to be putting on good weight. Bloodworms definitely are messy and they have very little nutritional value so arent great long term. You can try earthworms again when he gets a bit bigger. Canadian nightcrawlers don't have the best acceptance rate in my experience, but red wiggler and european nightcrawlers are both great options. Red wigglers do produce a bitter slime coat that axolotls don't care for so they need to be rinsed in hot water first or blanched to remove that.

He normally sells them for about $60, I one got was the last one that he had and because of how long he had it for ( which is awhile ) due it the condition it was in and wasn’t able to sell it I was able to talk the guy into just giving it to me. I believe he buys them off from a breeder and sells them himself and doesn’t really care for it that’s why mine was in a pretty bad condition. At first he told me all it needs is to be fed bloodworms once a week and it can just live off that. And as for the tank I can put rock gravels and just use tab water.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

He normally sells them for about $60, I one got was the last one that he had and because of how long he had it for ( which is awhile ) due it the condition it was in and wasn’t able to sell it I was able to talk the guy into just giving it to me. I believe he buys them off from a breeder and sells them himself and doesn’t really care for it that’s why mine was in a pretty bad condition. At first he told me all it needs is to be fed bloodworms once a week and it can just live off that. And as for the tank I can put rock gravels and just use tab water.

I would definitely report him for neglect. Not only would he have to hold a business license to sell these animals, but many states also require permits to sell exotic animals so he would have to be registered with the state's fish and wildlife department. He should not be allowed to continue to sell and/or keep these animals if that is the condition he is keeping them in.

As for you tank, the sand you have is fine. You don't want to use gravel or small stones as they can easily swallow them accidentally. Tap water is also fine as long as you are using a water conditioner like Prime by Seachem. That is the only water conditioner I recommend as many others contain aloe and other harmful ingredients for axolotls.

 

[AMurry24537]

He normally sells them for about $60, I one got was the last one that he had and because of how long he had it for ( which is awhile ) due it the condition it was in and wasn’t able to sell it I was able to talk the guy into just giving it to me. I believe he buys them off from a breeder and sells them himself and doesn’t really care for it that’s why mine was in a pretty bad condition. At first he told me all it needs is to be fed bloodworms once a week and it can just live off that. And as for the tank I can put rock gravels and just use tab water.

That is honestly horrifying that this is the level of care he is recommending, especially since people like that often do even less than they advise. This is straight up animal abuse. I'm glad you're doing your research to take better care!! If you ever have questions, feel free to post them on here! Someone usually has some good advice