All his gills have gone!!!

[loz81]

Hello everyone my name is Lorraine I registerd here last month but then have not been on .

I have an axie called stimpy, I have had him for two months and have had No problems until a couple of days ago, he had big bright red fluffy gills and over last two days they have disappeared to nothing just little stumps on the side of his head

I have added salt to the tank water in case it is fungal and added antifungal tonic. as i guess it couldnt do any harm.

Can anybody please tell me why this has happened?

Please because I am really worried .

Thank you very much
lorraine.

 

[loz81]

Please is there anyone that can help me he is off his food aswell.

 

[ge0h0und]

I don't think it was a good idea to add salt to the water inside of the tank. >< I usually see people recommending to give it 10-15 min salt baths outside of the tank for fungus issues.

 

[loz81]

some one (not from here) said it would be fine if it was only a small amount ????????????

 

[Kaysie]

Treating the entire tank can cause your entire biological cycle to crash. In addition, axolotls are very sensitive, and by continuously bathing them in chemicals, you could be harming them severely.

You need to test your water quality. It's imperative to test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, temperature, and pH. I suspect your axolotl is suffering from ammonia poisoning.

 

[crested crazy]

If I was you I'd do a hundred % water change, Wash it down good and start
the tank over. I know it will take about a week or a little longer but its your
best bet IMO. So in the mean time put the axie in the fridge, It will be good for
him/her. Just don't forget about um in there

 

[Jake]

If I was you I'd do a hundred % water change, Wash it down good and start
the tank over. I know it will take about a week or a little longer but its your
best bet IMO. So in the mean time put the axie in the fridge, It will be good for
him/her. Just don't forget about um in there

To fully cycle the tank it will take much longer than 'about a week or a little longer', it can take months.

 

[seedy]

Hi loz81
Loss of filaments / frills ( he still has gills ) is often due to poor water quality.
Please answer the following questions to help .
What size is your tank and axie ?
What temp is the water ?
How often do you do water changes ?
What are the water parameters ? ph , ammonia , nitrite , nitrate

 

[catfishmck]

hi loz81

i have been having the same problems it been a few week ago now he lost his frills stopped eating and moving i thought he was going to die. I put him in the fridge for a few days and treated him for a fungus infection with putting him a salt bath for about 10mins each day for 4 days and I've keep the water in his tank quite cold Ive changed his diet to wax worms and i here earth worms r very good He's only now starting to eat again and swimming about again but he still now as he use to be i got a lot of help from this site and John Clare sit http://www.axolotl.org/ is very good and pretty much tells you all u need to know. Have a look at this thread of mine it might help and there is some pictures of Alex. http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54332

Hope it helps