Illness/Sickness: Axie seems healthy BUT

[JaviD23]

I got my new juvie axie last week, tank was cycled for a month and all my readings were great for the whole week (checked daily). My problem is last wednesday when she arrived (I got her from the mottled lotl) I had gotten instructions telling me to feed her once she gets there as they fast them for 2 days to make sure that they aren't pooping during transport, which we did and she ate up a whole worm, we thought she might have gotten constipated as the next day we awoke and her gills were curled, we immedietly tubed her and we have been checking just about every single water perimeter daily and even took it to our local aquarium shop to test and they said they do not think it's possible that the water is what is messing with her. We are doing 2x daily water changes, since her feeding is every 2 days she has only ate approximately half a worm as she only accepts a piece or two of worm per feeding and rejects the rest (which I know isn't okay). She randomly curls her gills now even with a fresh change and will also randomly set her gills back to normal, my question is could she still be constipated? There is no sign of illness, no spots, no gill infection, and it can't be impaction since there isn't any substrate in her tank as she is only about 3.5 inches, she still swims around and looks okay but her behavior is just off as she's not eating much, we still have her in the tub so I can really focus on making sure that her behavior is okay and to help keep monitoring her water temp which is always kept between 60- 65 degrees but I don't know what to do at this point, I should point out I am a new axie owner so I may just be freaking out over nothing lol.I added photos of my baby Squish (I know it's not very original but my kid has a squishmellow axolotl and immedietly started calling it that so it stuck lmao). The green tint in the photos are from the lighting i have surrounding my living room let me know if i should take more with pics with just regular lighting. Any and all help or opinions is so appreciated !

 

[axolotl nerd]

I got my new juvie axie last week, tank was cycled for a month and all my readings were great for the whole week (checked daily). My problem is last wednesday when she arrived (I got her from the mottled lotl) I had gotten instructions telling me to feed her once she gets there as they fast them for 2 days to make sure that they aren't pooping during transport, which we did and she ate up a whole worm, we thought she might have gotten constipated as the next day we awoke and her gills were curled, we immedietly tubed her and we have been checking just about every single water perimeter daily and even took it to our local aquarium shop to test and they said they do not think it's possible that the water is what is messing with her. We are doing 2x daily water changes, since her feeding is every 2 days she has only ate approximately half a worm as she only accepts a piece or two of worm per feeding and rejects the rest (which I know isn't okay). She randomly curls her gills now even with a fresh change and will also randomly set her gills back to normal, my question is could she still be constipated? There is no sign of illness, no spots, no gill infection, and it can't be impaction since there isn't any substrate in her tank as she is only about 3.5 inches, she still swims around and looks okay but her behavior is just off as she's not eating much, we still have her in the tub so I can really focus on making sure that her behavior is okay and to help keep monitoring her water temp which is always kept between 60- 65 degrees but I don't know what to do at this point, I should point out I am a new axie owner so I may just be freaking out over nothing lol.I added photos of my baby Squish (I know it's not very original but my kid has a squishmellow axolotl and immedietly started calling it that so it stuck lmao). The green tint in the photos are from the lighting i have surrounding my living room let me know if i should take more with pics with just regular lighting. Any and all help or opinions is so appreciated !

hello,
welcome to the axolotl parent community!
you seem to have done everything right, which is very good to hear. she is likely stressed due to her journey and acclimating to her new environment, which can cause her gills to curl. they look slightly curled in the last photo, but nothing too major. i work raising upwards of 100 axolotls at any given time, and have found that some juveniles just seem to have curled gills. its very strange, and has thrown myself and my boss off multiple times, (immediately tubbing + testing water + examining for injury or illness) but they've all been fine. the daily water changes may pose a problem in the future. most of the beneficial bacteria will be on your filter media, but the frequent water changes can throw things off if you're not careful. i suggest spot cleaning with a turkey baster when you see waste or uneaten food. based on the pictures and background information, i don't think she is constipated. usually their hind end will float and cause them distress if they are constipated. overall, she looks great. good weight and color, as well as nice gills. i wouldn't worry too much, but keep monitoring her. i would put her back in her tank and let her acclimate fully, if her gills are still curled in a few days then we can reevaluate.

 

[JaviD23]

hello,
welcome to the axolotl parent community!
you seem to have done everything right, which is very good to hear. she is likely stressed due to her journey and acclimating to her new environment, which can cause her gills to curl. they look slightly curled in the last photo, but nothing too major. i work raising upwards of 100 axolotls at any given time, and have found that some juveniles just seem to have curled gills. its very strange, and has thrown myself and my boss off multiple times, (immediately tubbing + testing water + examining for injury or illness) but they've all been fine. the daily water changes may pose a problem in the future. most of the beneficial bacteria will be on your filter media, but the frequent water changes can throw things off if you're not careful. i suggest spot cleaning with a turkey baster when you see waste or uneaten food. based on the pictures and background information, i don't think she is constipated. usually their hind end will float and cause them distress if they are constipated. overall, she looks great. good weight and color, as well as nice gills. i wouldn't worry too much, but keep monitoring her. i would put her back in her tank and let her acclimate fully, if her gills are still curled in a few days then we can reevaluate.

Thank you so much!!!! I was so worried and the breeder did say the same about her acclimating but without her eating I was getting so worried! I appreciate your time and advice and will definetly update if her eating patterns don't change !