Algaecide poisoning my axie

[Joy]

I went to the pet store yesterday and was asking about something to help with the green algae that I have in my axie's tank. It's not horrendous, but it builds up after I clean it fairly quickly and it's not near sunlight. Anyway, the guy sold me an algaecide which he said would be fine. They had 4 axies in their store and he seemed to know a lot. Obviously not....
So i put in 2ml of this stuff last night and this morning my axie, Scotty, was in weird positions with his tail up and head down and later in a U shape w/ head and tail at the bottom and middle up. (are those positions of stress does anyone know??) He was not moving much. I watched him during the day and no improvement so I got on this wonderful site and saw a thread from last year about this algaecide. I was so worried b/c it looks like this is a harsh chemical and I had no idea. I feel awful. I put him in the fridge (my first time doing it so I'm a little nervous) and I've drained all the water out.
Anyone know long should I fridge him if I reset up my tank right away?
By the way, the ingredients in this algae poison are: Poly[oxyethylene(dimethlimino)ethylene (dimethyliminio)ethylene dechloride]
Word to the wise... STAY AWAY FROM IT.

 

[Mark]

It's really irresponsible of the shop to recommend algaecide for amphibians and you should tell them so. Ask what reliable information the assistant was basing his assessment that "it would be fine" on? I bet you it was based on the theory that if it's good for fish it's ok for amphibians. At slightly the wrong dose the chemicals you've used can be lethal to fish so goodness knows what it will do to an amphibian.

Let's hope your axolotl makes a full recovery, although I rather suspect the poisoning may be too much for it.

As for the algae, there's some useful info here: Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Algae, Snails, Worms and Other Critters

 

[Joy]

Thanks Mark for your quick reply. Is there anything I can do to reverse the poisoning other than fridging him? Do you think fridging even will do much for poisoning?

 

[Mark]

To be honest I have no idea what the recommended treatment should be for this. You've taken the sensible step of removing the animal from the contaminated water but I doubt there's any further action you can take to lessen the symptoms. If the axolotl is showing physiological signs of sickness i.e. floating, abnormal body posture etc it suggests that some body functions have already been affected badly by the toxins.

I don't know if fridging will make much difference to the outcome. I imagine survival now depends largely on how much damage has been done and the ability of the body to recover. Taking the animal to a vet would be an option. Perhaps someone with more experience in this area may be able to chip in.

 

[Joy]

It looks like Scotty died overnight in the fridge. I'm just beside myself. He's upside down on the bottom of the container but then when I checked on him an hour later he was in a different position in the container still upside down. I guess he's slowly dying if he hasn't already. I don't want to bury him till I know for sure though. I'm definitely going back to the pet shop today to tell them. I'm so upset

 

[Mark]

I'm very sorry to read this Joy.

You should definitely complain to the shop. They are fully responsible for giving you the bad advice that led to your pets death. It's totally unacceptable. You deserve an apology and compensation for your loss.

 

[Joy]

I did go back to the store the next day and the manager who was brought out said to me "I"m sorry for the inconvenience." INCONVENIENCE??? I was appalled. Anyway, I wrote the next day that my little guy did a Lazarus on me and he wasn't dead (odd though that he spent a day lifeless on his back on the bottom of the container). I'm so thrilled but he looks so skinny and of course not really moving much in the fridge. Someone suggested keeping him in there another week or so. Would you advise that? I'm really hoping to get him back in the tank and eating again but I know I shouldn't rush it I guess.

 

[memojo1979]

Crappy store! NAME AND SHAME so all the axolotl owners here know not to except their advise!!!

On a different note, your other thread says Scotty is 8/9 years old? If so, he can probably cope without food quite well, if he was in good condition before your little accident. Even if he doesn't want to eat, just keep offering him various foods (1 might get his attention more than another), but as long as his tank is cool + now clean, I don't see there being any harm in putting him back there either.
Actually, I've just checked when you posted originally + as it was only 3 days (of hell) ago, I'd recommend leabing him in the fridge for a bit longer, just to make sure his body has the best chance of expelling as much poison as possible.
In my opinion anyway

 

[Joy]

Thanks for your advice but unfortunately my sweet little guy died yesterday. I'm so so sad. I'm planning a little burial ceremony for him tomorrow. I agree though about the pet shop advice. Just awful

 

[Mandy6]

I'm so sorry for your loss

I'd never ever go to that store again and definetely put up a fight for some sort of compensation. Nothing can replace your guy of course but they shouldn't be able to get away with giving away fatal 'advice'

 

[zoezakella]

Oh Joy I am so sad to read about Scotty you two have been through some heh! RIP Scotty xxx