Axolotl with hurt leg and gills

[MuffinPeanut]

Hey everyone! Ive had Muffin and Peanut for about 2 weeks now so I am super new to the game, but these little babies have taken over my life and I love them both so much. Muffin is an albino and is about an inch longer than Peanut, who is a black axolotl. They have both gotten along super well in their 80 litre tank, theyre nearly always together and lazing about together like happy lil bubbies.

Because I live in the hot Sumner (47°C) of Australia, my water temps were hitting ridiculous levels last week during a heatwave, even after using fans and ice bottles. So I decided to stick them both in the fridge, using a 7 litre tub of their tank water and I followed the fridging guide on this site. The temperature in the fridge got to about 10 degrees which they seemed to enjoy and happily swam about and ate earthworms in for about 2 days while the heatwave hit.

Just this afternoon I went in to check on my little guys and I saw that Peanut was missing half of his gills on his left side and his little front leg was tucked up against him, he would not put it down no matter what. I think that Muffin and Peanut maybe were feeling a little bit cramped in together and Muffin has maybe had a go at Peanut's front, either out of anger or hunger. Either way, Ive seperated them for now into different tubs in the fridge and have finally set up a water chiller on their big tank. I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice on potentially a broken leg and missing gills ? I dont know what to do other than to seperate them but not sure if Peanut will heal his leg okay is it better to leave him in the fridge for a bit? He's obviously in a bit of pain and a little bit stressed. Any advice would be appreciated, please check the pictures below to see his lil leg.

 

[enfifteen]

Hi There! Interested to know what type of chiller you procured and how you find its operation?

 

[MuffinPeanut]

We didnt have a lot of money but we found one on eBay that looked legitimate enough, its a JBA Aquarium chiller that cost us $190 AUD, but it works decently so far- only problem that Ive found is that the temperature seems to be a bit stuck at 20°C- which isnt AWFUL but ideally we would like it a little bit lower. We have tried to set it to about 15° but it still displays that it is sitting at 20 and our in-tank thermometer agrees. It could be just because its so hot in the room to begin with, that the chiller is struggling to cool the water down past that dang australian weather.

 

[enfifteen]

Thanks for the reply MuffinPeanut. It seems we live in the same area, so its great to hear your experiences with tank temperatures. I am still cycling my tank but am consistently seeing 28 degree celsius temperatures w/out chiller.

I cant unfortunately supply any information on what your original post was about, but I hope your Axies get on the mending path soon!

 

[MuffinPeanut]

Thanks a bundle, they are looking a little bit better now! I also love hearing about people that live close to me and their experience with stupid high water temps :') best of luck with your tank!