Axolotl gills looking weird?

[bananapajamas]

This is Dr. Shrunk, I've had her for about 4 years. She's always had small gills, but I noticed the back of her gills are oddly textured? Nothing has changed in the tank recently, so I'm not sure if it's normal?

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Hi

What are the following...
temp?
pH?
Ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?
GH and KH if you know?
do you add any salt, Johns or Holtfreters solution?

 

[bananapajamas]

Hi

What are the following...
temp?
pH?
Ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?
GH and KH if you know?
do you add any salt, Johns or Holtfreters solution?

well I found the problem... her pH is sitting at 6.2. everything else is normal. I did a 50% water change, the pH out of the faucet is 7.8, but the water is still sitting at 6. Are there any recommended products for raising the pH? I've never had a low pH issue before. Thank you!

It looks like she's shedding her slime coat.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Do you have botanicals like driftwood etc in your tank?

I'd recommend 50% daily until you get it back up to at least 7.2

you can buy Seachem Neutral Regulator to help as a quick fix but I still recommend the water changes to fix the base reason.

Making Johns or holtfreters will help your axolotls health - I can post my johns handout its the easiest to make

 

[bananapajamas]

Do you have botanicals like driftwood etc in your tank?

I'd recommend 50% daily until you get it back up to at least 7.2

you can buy Seachem Neutral Regulator to help as a quick fix but I still recommend the water changes to fix the base reason.

Making Johns or holtfreters will help your axolotls health - I can post my johns handout its the easiest to make

I had a large piece of driftwood in there but I took it out a few days ago because it was growing... something? It looked like algae but was very slimy and smelly, and I wasn't sure if that was a bad thing or not?

I would love the John's solution, if you don't mind.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

The driftwood may have dropped your pH - it was likely growing biofilm if it was a newer piece.

HHC - Johns Solution by Volume

docs.google.com

 

[bananapajamas]

The driftwood may have dropped your pH - it was likely growing biofilm if it was a newer piece.

HHC - Johns Solution by Volume

docs.google.com

I've had it for almost a year but Ive never seen it grow anything, which is the weird part.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Weird - I'd spray off, boil in a stock pot and reuse in another tank

 

[bananapajamas]

Weird - I'd spray off, boil in a stock pot and reuse in another tank

Thank you so much, I'm gonna set up a temporary tank for her with fresh water while I try to fix her main tank.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Thank you so much, I'm gonna set up a temporary tank for her with fresh water while I try to fix her main tank.

Do 100% water changes daily and make and add Johns solution - I use it at 20% in my tanks all the time and use 30% for 3 days when treating anything when tubbed.

 

[bananapajamas]

Do 100% water changes daily and make and add Johns solution - I use it at 20% in my tanks all the time and use 30% for 3 days when treating anything when tubbed.

she's doing much better, she's no longer shedding and looks LOTS better. thank you so much for your help.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Good!

Keep up to water changes at least twice a week right now until your pH stabilizes