Axolotl Gill Problem? Help!

[Kinn]

I just noticed the feathering on the sides of my axolotl's gills has been shrinking!
I didn't notice it until now, but there is barely anything there. Gills themselves are pretty decently sized, perhaps a little under the norm but I believe that begun recently too!

I'm very worried!

I know the water quality itself isn't too bad. It is cycled and everything.
Though I am lacking a filter right now.
There are no sponge filters for sale in the area, and I've been trying a whole bunch of different kinds, none of which was a good substitute. I now have a sponge filter on the way from online, but it will be here in around a week. Is that enough time? Or should I be doing something while I wait.
I do have another filter still, I returned most but this one was like 10 dollars so I kept it. It's not big enough to clean the whole tank but maybe it will help?

Or perhaps it might be a different problem all together? Temperature has been up a lot lately, I've been having trouble keeping her water under 20 even with a fan. It hasn't gone above 23, but still.

Her feathers were never huge like you see on some axolotl, but when I got her they were a decent length. I read that this can be just genetics, but the fact that they are shrinking worries me very much

She seems a bit sluggish right now, but that may be due to the fact that her belly is full. She is still very attentive and excited to explore and peek at anyone staring at her, her appetite is fine.

Please help!

 

[emmyk]

My axolotls gills are pretty fluffy, but they're a good measure on water quality. Also, I noticed when I feed better foods (worms or a treat of prawns) his gills get vibrant and fluffy. What are you feeding her?
And do you have a testing kit? If so what are your water parameters? If not I recommend getting one soon.

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[emmyk]

Also, as far as filters go, I might just be lucky but the standard whisper 20 gal works just fine for me. Keeps the water decently clean, not too much of a current.

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[Alkylhalide]

I would be removing your axie from the tank immediately, put your lotl in a tub of fresh dechlorinated water an do 100% water changes everyday and wipe down the tub.

After that, test the tank water. If you could give us ammonia,nitrite,nitrate ph and temp of the tank that would be very helpful.
You need a filter to keep a cycle going... If your tank crashed then the high amounts of ammonia and nitrite will stress your axie out. Your axie needs to get in fresh water now.

 

[auntiejude]

If you haven't got a filter you need to do daily large water changes - you'll be getting a build up of NH4, NO2 and NO3. That could be why you've got gill shrinkage. Any filter is better than none.

My axies hate tubs, I would rather keep them in the tank and do daily 50% water changes than put them in tubs and see them upset. But a tub is an option.

I agree with Alkylhalide, get a test kit, and post your results. Even if you can only get dip strips they give you an idea if not an accurate reading.

And if you post some before and after pictures it would help.

 

[Kinn]

Thank you everyone! I'm about to put her into a container. Should I just use my regular water conditioners to chlorinate the water, or should I set aside some water for the day? I have a lot of containers upstairs that are usually used for food, and are washed after with soap, are those fine as is or should I be disinfecting it some way?

I usually feed her a mix of blood worms and a reptile pellet, either a bit of each each feeding, or alternating. I feed her every 3 days.

This happened at a really bad time, I was just about to go to the cottage for a week. Should I bring her in the container? I read before that moving them in a cooler of some sort helps? Is keeping her in the cooler for the duration of the stay okay? My cottage is really old and there's no air conditioner so I'm worried about the temperature. I really don't want to stress her out too badly, especially now of all times.

I'll pick up a water testing kit today. No stores around me have had them, which is why I haven't got one until now, so I'll either find one out of town or order one.

 

[Alkylhalide]

Thats a tough one, isthere a fridge at your cottage?

Use your normal dechlorinator in the tubs.
Is there a reason you only feed her every three days? And how old is your lotl? Or size? Whichever lol.

 

[Alkylhalide]

First testing your wAter would be a good start.. If the levels are normal i would say youd be safe to leAve your lotl in the tank for a week(provided you have a lotl sitter for the week? To at least feed and do water changes) if not and you do have a fridge in your cottage my advice would be to bring a tub, the lotl, a thermometer, your dechlorinator(or many bottles of alreAdy dechlorinated water if the water there isnt the greatest, i dont lnow) food. Take a cup of water and put it in the fridge with the thermometer in it, to keep an eye on the temp in the fridge. You want it over 5 but the warmer the better(without spoiling your food) wrapping it in a towel can keep the water a bit warmer.

Do this if you notice the water is getting to warm (over 74F)
Continue your daily water changes in the tub except if its in the fridge make sure that the water that you use is also in the fridge.

Ive never gone more the. Two days away fron my lotls :s id be so worried id probably end up taking then lmao.

 

[Kinn]

I've been feeding my axie every 3 days because I read that it was the norm. I guess it isn't then? How often should I be feeding her?

There is a fridge at my cottage, but its usually packed up full. I have found a whole bunch of freezer packs that I planned on using, as well as a fabric cooler bag to keep the temperature decent. I can switch the packs out every once in a while as needed. I've prepared a huge container of pre dechlorinated water to bring, and I planned on doing the daily 100% water changes.

I've also started a temporary filter running in the main tank while I'm gone until I get the one I ordered online. So the water quality should be tons better by the time we get home.

Does this all sound like a good plan? Bringing her to the cottage? It's like you said, I'm really nervous to leave her alone, especially since this is happening now. It was hard before but with this whole gill situation I really would love to keep an eye on her. Do you think that bringing her is safe? Or would leaving her at home still be better? I've got a small hide for the tub and I plan on bringing one of her marimo moss balls and possibly a few of her fake plants to hide in.

I just want to make the right decision :/

 

[Alkylhalide]

If you have nobody experienced to take care of her while you are gone then yes it is your best choice i would say. Just making sure you are prepared with everything you need. I know i wouldnt be able to relax. At least with you you know whats going on.

The only problems are temperature and how far of a trip is it?

 

[Kinn]

Yeah only person I know who could take care of her is not experienced in the slightest. I agree with you, I would probably be stressing the entire time, at least I can keep an eye on her this way. I mean I already get stressed from leaving my corn snake at home, and she only needs care once a week so there's no reason to be worried about her. But something like an axie which needs content care. Yeah bringing her might be the best option.

I agree with the temperature thing. I am super nervous how that's going to go. Again, I have the ice packs, the cooler bag. I also have battery powered fans that we bring up there, that could be an option. And by the way the weather reports sound, it isn't going to be overly hot while I'm up there, 23C at the maximum, raining or cloudy most days. So that should help.

It's around a 3 hour drive. Small compared to the trip we are going to have to take when I move for school at the end of the month. 6, 7 hours, oh boy. Any traveling tips?

 

[Kinn]

Oh and by the way, my axie is starting to look better already too.
Much more active again, I can see a bit more feathering on the gills, she seems all around brighter today. So I'm super pleased about that.

You guys have all been such a great help, thank you~