Illness/Sickness: Bald gills on both Axies

[FrankAxie]

Hi,

I have 2 axis of a few months old. Still new to everything so excuse any sily questions

Both of them had the beautiful gills with long red extensions? (don't know the correct name for it sorry) that they showed off from time to time. Yesterday I noticed the extensions on both Axies are gone. The bigger one had a few left at the base of the gills but the rest vanished. I know they eat parts of each other (the oldest bit of a leg of the youngest (growing back yay!) but both gone at the same time?

I did had a NO3 problem and changed 50% of the water to fix that and temp was on the high side. I'm trying to lower that with ice bottles and adding ice cold water at times.

Also, there are other fish in the tank, could they have nibbled on the extensions?

So, a lot of info and I'm trying to find out why they are gone

Thnx!
Frank

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Take the fish out they're likely trying to eat the gills or what you call (extensions). Don't mix axolotls with fish. Also find a way to lower the temperature of the water permanently. Ice bottles don't actually do much and is considered a temporary method.

Any pictures?

Here is an article you NEED to read. Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

 

[FrankAxie]

Take the fish out they're likely trying to eat the gills or what you call (extensions). Don't mix axolotls with fish. Also find a way to lower the temperature of the water permanently. Ice bottles don't actually do much and is considered a temporary method.

Any pictures?

Here is an article you NEED to read. Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

Hi thank you for your reply. The temp is at a stable 18c for now. Most of the fish are there as food for them (guppies and tetra fish) They are very small (max 2cm) but I did add some bigger + 5cm Swordtails because I have a large tank and it was very empty... I was told they behave with other fish and didnt eat them.

Will the gills grow back?

 

[LSuzuki]

They should grow back, assuming the fish aren't around to eat them.