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Axo eating lots but still losing weight

Parabola

Parabola

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Hi friends!!!

My black axo is always hungry but seems to be losing weight. He used to be really fat and healthy, but now, he's hungry all the time and he's getting thinner and thinner. He's also doing weird body shapes. Contorting himself in all weird positions, curling around and not looking all that comfortable in his skin. All water parameters are on-point. His tank buddy is very healthy and exhibiting normal eating behaviour. I need some advice.
 
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GulfCoastAxolotls

GulfCoastAxolotls

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Parabola said:
Hi friends!!!

My black axo is always hungry but seems to be losing weight. He used to be really fat and healthy, but now, he's hungry all the time and he's getting thinner and thinner. He's also doing weird body shapes. Contorting himself in all weird positions, curling around and not looking all that comfortable in his skin. All water parameters are on-point. His tank buddy is very healthy and exhibiting normal eating behaviour. I need some advice.
Click to expand...
photos would be very helpful.

What are your exact water parameters? Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH? Temp? Tank size?
what chemicals are you using in the tank? dechlorinators? ect
What are you feeding your axolotls? how much and how often?
 
JM29

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Since his tank buddy doesn't develop any of the symptoms, water desorders are possible, but unlikely.
If there are nothing exteriorly apparent, it looks like internal parasites
 
Parabola

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Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys. I've attached some photos for you, although I don't know how helpful they will be. He kind of looks fine but he's nothing like he used to be (in terms of size). His skin looks a little off in the pic, but I think that's because I just turned on the light (his black goes kind of grey when he's in the dark).

Water parameters:
Temp: 20 degrees
PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5ppm
Nitrite: 0
GH/KH: 12/6
Food: Live european nightcrawlers, beef heart, pellets. Mostly worms though.
Tank size: 3ft (160lt)

What do you think? If parasites are a consideration, how can I accurately diagnose and treat?
 

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GulfCoastAxolotls

GulfCoastAxolotls

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Parabola said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys. I've attached some photos for you, although I don't know how helpful they will be. He kind of looks fine but he's nothing like he used to be (in terms of size). His skin looks a little off in the pic, but I think that's because I just turned on the light (his black goes kind of grey when he's in the dark).

Water parameters:
Temp: 20 degrees
PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5ppm
Nitrite: 0
GH/KH: 12/6
Food: Live european nightcrawlers, beef heart, pellets. Mostly worms though.
Tank size: 3ft (160lt)

What do you think? If parasites are a consideration, how can I accurately diagnose and treat?
Click to expand...
I suspected internal parasites, but even if a tankmate seems unaffected, I always like to get a baseline for the conditions of your aquarium because it does help suss out any underlying issues. Your water parameters are all good so that eliminates any concerns there.

I've had really good luck using Prazipro by Hikari to treat internal parasites. Its a liquid concentrate of Praziquantel and is a very mild anti-parasite medication. I would suggest tubbing him in cold fresh water (changed 100% daily) and treating with Prazipro
 
Parabola

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Okay. Never tubbed him before. What temperature? My fridge at home sits on about 2 degrees but from what I can tell, that’s too cold. How does everyone maintain the recommended temp?
 
Parabola

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Hi everyone. This is a photo of Blaxo today. Weird shape, huh?
In regards to treating parasites, can I use Prazipro without tubbing? Not sure how to achieve water temperature suitable for cold water tubbing as my fridge is far too cold. Another question...can I treat him in the tank with the other axolotl?
 

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GulfCoastAxolotls

GulfCoastAxolotls

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Parabola said:
Hi everyone. This is a photo of Blaxo today. Weird shape, huh?
In regards to treating parasites, can I use Prazipro without tubbing? Not sure how to achieve water temperature suitable for cold water tubbing as my fridge is far too cold. Another question...can I treat him in the tank with the other axolotl?
Click to expand...
You can use prazipro directly in your tank as long as your remove any carbon from your filter.

As far as tubbing goes, just because they're in a tub doesn't mean they have to go in the fridge. Just change the water with cool fresh water 100% daily. If you're concerned about the tub getting too warm, just leave him in the tank and treat there. Prazipro is an anti-parasitic so its not going to affect your cycle or anything like an antibiotic would.
 
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