Axolotl turned completely white

[Papalotl]

Hi,

I am hoping for some advice. I have 3 axolotls, all young. When I got them two arrived first (one big, one small) and the third one arrived two weeks later (size is in the middle of the other two). The first two have been done by really well. When the third one arrived it’s gills were noticeably more turned forwards than the other two (though his tail it straight). I expected this to change one he settled in.

Over the last couple of days he has turned completely white. Today he seems to have lost his appetite and is flushing his gills a lot. The other two are absolutely fine.

There are plenty of hiding spots in the 200 litre tank and I have a sand substrate. Water temp is 18c and all the tests show the levels are fine (no ammonia/chlorine, normal ph etc). I have been weening them slowly on to earthworms, but still feeding bloodworms and brine shrimp. I don’t believe he is constipated so have not gone down the fridging route.

Behaviour wise the middle one often swims to the surface and takes a mouthful of air and then floats (when it wants to go down it lets air out) I have also seen the smallest one pick on the middle one. Since to biggest one and the smallest one seem to get on well and are often together, I do wonder if it is possible that the middle one is depressed (is that possible for axies?). Other than that I wondered about anaemia, but would have expected the others to have similar symptoms.

Anyway, if anyone has had a similar experience with their axis going all white, I would appreciate any advice. Photos attached show him last week and today.

 

[Krispy]

This is really odd! Whatever variable that is causing these changes and behaviors has to be coming from the individual itself. Perhaps your axolotl is anemic? Anemia occurs in axolotls. But I'm not a veterinarian, so its just as possible that your axie is completely healthy. If they're eating well and and looks fine besides its color, I wouldn't worry much. I've had betta fish in the past that slowly turned opposite colors as part of their genetics. Even though axolotls are amphibians and not fish, something of that nature has to have a chance of occurrence. I say you've got a special animal! Please keep posted with growth and development and any other concerns

 

[Krispy]

Also, try cutting up earthworms really small and try feeding them. Blood worms aren't great nutrition, so if your axolotl is anemic, earthworms will probably correct and iron deficiencies.

 

[Papalotl]

Thanks Krispy!

I have tried chopping upbearthworms really small. He has had a couple of pieces. It’s a bit early to tell anything yet.

I think i am going to set up a quarantine tank so I can better monitor pooping just to make sure it isn’t constipation.