Axolotl jumped off the tank. Arched back and wounds.

[JDelmar]

Hi!

So this is it:
I woke up in the morning 3 days ago after having changed half the tank's water over night and the water sausage was nowhere to be found. After a short search found it on the floor, still alive.
My wife saw them in the tank before dawn, but idk since then for how long they've been out of it.

The tank is on a library that's, I guess, no taller than 1mt (around 3ft) as much.

After returning them to the water I noticed 3 things: the gills were maybe smaller and also bent forward, the fin was thinner, and the back was arched. They were also peeling.

After reading a lot I got that the peeling was just mucus, and the other stuff was probably signs of stress. So I moved the lotl to a bucket with 1/10 black tea, cold water, and cleaned the whole tank.

As a note, I've been lately buried under piles of material to study, so I've been neglecting the tank's cleaning, going from once per week to once per week and half. I think the last cleaning might have removed and floated some garbage from under the sand and that rose the toxicity of the water, but I have no proofs.
Whatever, I changed all the water, cleaned the tank, and removed the sand and put new sand.

Now the problem:

They're not eating. Not even if the food is right on their nose.
Sometimes their back is arched, sometimes not.
I've noticed also 2 long scratches at each side, along the torso, that I didn't notice before. The skin has been torn there.
This can't be new since the lotl hasn't been in contact with anything that may scratch them.

Question: what should I do?

If you can see the pic, the scratches are like cuts and are almost under the lotl. I suspect they scratched themselves while creeping on the floor and going against something.
I'm worried cuz the poor thing is kinda thin.

EXTRA: the tank had no plants previously since I removed them all not long ago after a plant explosion (really, they grew too fast and started occupying lots of the tank). Since I moved them to a bucket and I still have them, I added a few now again, but I'm keeping an eye on them this time.

 

[wolfen]

if there was a bad smell coming from the tank then as the sand was kicked up gas was released into the water along with any trapped waste, keep the tank cold and oxygenated, also see about using holtfreters solution in the tank water. when your axolotl was in the tub was it's back arched then as from the photo it looks like it is arching it's back in an effort to stay on the bottom of the tank which would indicate trapped gas.

 

[JDelmar]

No, you don't get it. The photo is from after I cleaned the whole tank. Sand is new, water is new and also dechlorinated.
Before this the lotl was fine and normal, and very lively. Now, while it has been moving around like normally lately, they doesn't eat, plus they have this scratches that idk when did they get it.

My specific question is how to proceed from now on; my guess is to keep giving them black tea baths on a daily basis to de-stress them and also prevent any possible infection, but I don't know.


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UPDATE: I moved the lotl to a big bowl with 1/10 black tea while I showered. When I came back just now I moved them back to the tank, and after swimming away they started puking!! There was a good lot of undigested pellets, but among them there was a little elongated black piece of something, I think it was a bit of wood since this sand is known to be gathered from a nearby river for using it in building. And while I use to wash and filter the sand, I never sift it.

I don't know if this was causing any issue to the lotl or not. I don't really know what it is, but I do know now that my lotl is probably empty. They pooped 3 days ago just fine, and now they puked, so I hope there's nothing else causing them any issues. At least they can eat again now.

 

[wolfen]

what I meant was before the sand was changed the cleaning could have released gasses and trapped waste debris, which could have made your axie want to get out of the water.
the reason I suggested holfreters was because it will help heal the scrapes and also make the water more comfortable.
if you can get some almond leaves, using them as leaf litter might be easier and less stressful then tea bathing.

 

[JDelmar]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what happened. Before the change I was able to see through the glass at some points that the sand had black dots at the very bottom; I knew it was decomposing food, but I never thought it would end turning so serious. - Plus with the added new clean water, the tank's water reached almost the top. So it was a matter of just sliding up on one of the lid supports (it has no lid, but it comes with the supports for if one wants to put one), not even jumping or something.

I didn't know about Holfreter's honestly. It has no translation to Spanish whatsoever, so I gotta check the nearest petshop. - Almond leaves are impossible here, on the other hand.

Do you suggest adding tea to the tank? Either the infusion or just open a teabag and release the bits inside.

 

[wolfen]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what happened. Before the change I was able to see through the glass at some points that the sand had black dots at the very bottom; I knew it was decomposing food, but I never thought it would end turning so serious. - Plus with the added new clean water, the tank's water reached almost the top. So it was a matter of just sliding up on one of the lid supports (it has no lid, but it comes with the supports for if one wants to put one), not even jumping or something.

I didn't know about Holfreter's honestly. It has no translation to Spanish whatsoever, so I gotta check the nearest petshop. - Almond leaves are impossible here, on the other hand.

Do you suggest adding tea to the tank? Either the infusion or just open a teabag and release the bits inside.

holtfreters is a solution that was created to keep axolotls healthy, it's basically a mix of salts and mineral, this is a link that will have the info Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity.
have a look and see if the pet shop has any black water solution as this is normally made with almond/catappa leaf extract.
if you are going to use tea in the tank unless you have any small shrimp or any other insects or invertebrates in the tank you would be better of keeping it in the bag or using an infusion. you could if you have a canister or hob filter put a bag in the filter and let the water run through it though.

 

[JDelmar]

That's a good idea!! Didn't think about putting it in the filter (yes, I do have). The tank has small soft shelled snails that came with the plants when I bought them; after removing the plants the snails went with them. Now after I put them back I saw at least 3 snails. But I think I'll better place the tea in a canister or something.
Anyway, gonna check the petshop too.

I was wondering... I do know that lotls have an amazing regen ability. Do you think it will heal? The scratch on their left side (the pic's side) is not easy to spot from the side and it's not that bad, but some of the skin appears to have been peeled. On the other side is more notorious. The white layer of dermis or so is visible since the black-spotted epidermis has been scratched, but there's no bleeding nor cut that goes into the flesh.

 

[wolfen]

provided it doesn't get infected there's no reason it shouldn't heal fine.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what happened. Before the change I was able to see through the glass at some points that the sand had black dots at the very bottom; I knew it was decomposing food, but I never thought it would end turning so serious.

Decomposing food can lead to ammonia build-up which is why it's important to spot-clean on a daily basis. The ammonia build-up is probably what led to your animal jumping out of the tank. Poor thing was probably stressed by all the filth.

 

[JDelmar]

Hi!

I'm not at home, but my wife sent me a pic of the lotl. The wound seems worse
Plust they're floating on top. They're alive and they move their gills, but idk if they will last long, although I must admit I don't know much about lotl since this is my first experience with them.

What do you think should be done? There are no amphibian specialized vets here at all, so that's not an option.
Could try to put them in the fridge when I get home, in addition to move them to a bucket with black tea and water, or either add black tea to the tank.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Hi!

I'm not at home, but my wife sent me a pic of the lotl. The wound seems worse
Plust they're floating on top. They're alive and they move their gills, but idk if they will last long, although I must admit I don't know much about lotl since this is my first experience with them.

What do you think should be done? There are no amphibian specialized vets here at all, so that's not an option.
Could try to put them in the fridge when I get home, in addition to move them to a bucket with black tea and water, or either add black tea to the tank.

Tub your axolotl in dechlorinated water immediately. I'm almost certain wolfen may even suggest fridging - there are fridging guidelines here. Your axolotl is floating around due to severe ammonia poisoning and it is not good for him to be in an uncycled tank as yours is currently. You are basically poisoning him by letting him swim around in there.

 

[JDelmar]

Tub your axolotl in dechlorinated water immediately. I'm almost certain wolfen may even suggest fridging - there are fridging guidelines here. Your axolotl is floating around due to severe ammonia poisoning and it is not good for him to be in an uncycled tank as yours is currently. You are basically poisoning him by letting him swim around in there.

The current tank is totally clean as I cleaned it yesterday. Previous to that they've been in a bucket with decho water and tea for 2 days. Everything has been washed with detergent, then pressure-hosed for 5 mins, so there are no traces of detergent nor ammonia, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

The current tank is totally clean as I cleaned it yesterday. Previous to that they've been in a bucket with decho water and tea for 2 days. Everything has been washed with detergent, then pressure-hosed for 5 mins, so there are no traces of detergent nor ammonia, I'm pretty sure.

So you have no idea if there are detergent residues or not?

You need to act ASAP. Your axolotl is dying and you are letting him swim around in poison right now.

 

[JDelmar]

So you have no idea if there are detergent residues or not?

You need to act ASAP. Your axolotl is dying and you are letting him swim around in poison right now.

No, I said I'M PRETTY SURE, because I spent 5 mins washing every single corner with a hose, at high pressure. The tank was upside down and I washed everything clean. That was after washing it normally with detergent. I also scrubbed it with a sponge before hosing it. There are no traces of anything. I even dried the tank before using it.

Btw, I've been reading the guide, so I'll stick to it. Wanted to ask if it's advisable to add some black tea or not.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

No, I said I'M PRETTY SURE, because I spent 5 mins washing every single corner with a hose, at high pressure. The tank was upside down and I washed everything clean. That was after washing it normally with detergent. I also scrubbed it with a sponge before hosing it. There are no traces of anything. I even dried the tank before using it.

Btw, I've been reading the guide, so I'll stick to it. Wanted to ask if it's advisable to add some black tea or not.

To the tank? No. And "pretty sure" does NOT express absolute confidence. You have no idea if there are residues or not and since the tank cycling process would have to reset due to a 100% water change anyway, you are practically poisoning your animal. Your axolotl will die if you continue to leave him in the tank.

As for the tea baths - organic black tea is to be used, 10-15 minutes at a time as an overdose of caffeine is harmful to your animal. But he needs to be tubbed and taken out of the tank immediately. You are killing him by letting him swim around in poison.

 

[wolfen]

No, I said I'M PRETTY SURE, because I spent 5 mins washing every single corner with a hose, at high pressure. The tank was upside down and I washed everything clean. That was after washing it normally with detergent. I also scrubbed it with a sponge before hosing it. There are no traces of anything. I even dried the tank before using it.

Btw, I've been reading the guide, so I'll stick to it. Wanted to ask if it's advisable to add some black tea or not.

to stop him/her from floating and to get the injury dealt with it might be a good idea to tub him/her for a few days>week.
make up a solution of dechlorinated water with 3g per litre marine salt (the salt must not contain iodine) and add to a tub with the axolotl in it, only have the enough water in that his/her feet are touching the bottom of the tub. make sure there is a air-stone in the water. change the water every 24hrs, it is easier having two tubs as one can be used whilst the other is cleaned, make sure to scub the tubs so there is no bacteria build up. keep the water as cold as is possible and only if your axolotl is not responding after a few days do you then fridge as it is a last resort only.
if a tub/aquarium needs to be cleaned vinegar/hydrogen peroxide/unscented bleach can be used, just make sure it is rinsed well.

 

[JDelmar]

to stop him/her from floating and to get the injury dealt with it might be a good idea to tub him/her for a few days>week.
make up a solution of dechlorinated water with 3g per litre marine salt (the salt must not contain iodine) and add to a tub with the axolotl in it, only have the enough water in that his/her feet are touching the bottom of the tub. make sure there is a air-stone in the water. change the water every 24hrs, it is easier having two tubs as one can be used whilst the other is cleaned, make sure to scub the tubs so there is no bacteria build up. keep the water as cold as is possible and only if your axolotl is not responding after a few days do you then fridge as it is a last resort only.
if a tub/aquarium needs to be cleaned vinegar/hydrogen peroxide/unscented bleach can be used, just make sure it is rinsed well.

Thanks.

I don't have marine salt at the moment and I don't think I'll be able to get some till Monday, but I'll try to get some as soon as possible. In the meantime, do you have any other suggestions? Also: why fridging is a last resort? I'd like to know, so I can understand what I'm doing and what not. I've been surfing the internet intensively but couldn't find much info, and being at my workplace I'm kind of overloaded with all this situation; sorry.

 

[wolfen]

Tub your axolotl in dechlorinated water immediately. I'm almost certain wolfen may even suggest fridging - there are fridging guidelines here. Your axolotl is floating around due to severe ammonia poisoning and it is not good for him to be in an uncycled tank as yours is currently. You are basically poisoning him by letting him swim around in there.

I would never unless it was a last resort suggest fridging as it will slow down the metabolism and can cause organ shut down.

 

[JDelmar]

Also: just to explain what I did before (I don't want to go into conflicts with anyone, and I'm not answering any post that may lead to that), I only used (kitchen) detergent because the glass was still tinted green from previous plant explosion. The lotl seemed to enjoy it, but the tank was getting more and more crowded and even while I emptied the tank and cleaned it well, the plants left spots of green on the glass that I couldn't remove with neutral soap and were highly resistant.

Just saying, anyway, I'm considering the poor thing done, but I'll try my best to save them.

 

[JDelmar]

I would never unless it was a last resort suggest fridging as it will slow down the metabolism and can cause organ shut down.

Thanks. This explained it.