Dying axie!

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Phoebe

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Phoebe
Hi! I bought some axies from a pet shop about 3 weeks ago and they've started Losing their gills. The gills aren't red anymore, and have lost the feathery bits *cries* Their skin has also become very pale in colour.

I have an Internal filter which I think is too strong yet I can't change it ( to a weaker external one) until I get paid at the weekend, I have created a home-made spray bar and put a sponge over the intake grid in attempt to make the current weaker but it is still stronger than i think its meant to be. Basically, I was wondering wether to turn the filter off completely for the next few days or leave it on? I'm so worried that they are going to die :(

On the otherhand, it might not even be the filter? I do a 100% clean and water change about every 5 days and a 20% water change around every 3 and use dechlorinator. The water is also the right temp. I don't know whats wrong!? Could it be the water if it isnt the filter? Any help or advice would be so appreciated seeing as I'm obviously a proper noob lol. Thankyoooooo.

x p x
 
when you say you do a 100% clean what does this entail? You might be affecting the healthy bacteria and thus creating water health problems, which will affect axolotls.
Also your tank may still be cycling, have you taken any water tests?
 
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Basically doing a 100% water change, and cleaning the tank and items with a clean flannel. I've only done chlorine tests which are fine, and I use dechlorinator. I'm going to do the tests this weekend when i get an external filter.

x p x
 
ok, no more 100% water changes. You are effectively destroying the enviroment that healthy bacteria need to thrive. Leave the filter switched on but if you can try directing the outflow towards the side walls of the tank (this is what I do). I should imagine you basically need to start from scratch with regards to cycling the tank. Have a read of this http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml you may find it helpful.
 
You should not need to do 100% water changes.. . you are over cleaning the tank and not allowing the good healthy bacteria to develope. You are correct in making sure the chlorine is not present , but you are preventing your tank from establishing it self . You basically need to let the tank cycle ( no pedal bikes involved!!) This link will help :- www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml. I would also have the current water checked for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite.. these tests can be purchased seperately or as a kit...just make sure its for a fresh water aquarium ( I foolishly ordered one of an auction site..only to discover too late its for a salt water kit). If you do not have the tests at hand take sample to the pet shop and ask them to check it for you..write the numbers down and resist buying any quick fixes. If you post the results some one will be able to talk you through if neccessary.
With regards to your axolotl for the moment as they may be already in a delicate state I'd be tempted to give them a break in the fridge...temp no lower than 5 degrees ( put a cup of water and leave for a while and then test with thermometer). Place the axolotl in a lidded container of fresh dechlorinated water, place a cloth over the top and sides so that the fridge light does not startle them and place a couple of fresh dechlorinated water in bottles in the fridge for the daily water changes ( so the change in temps does not shock them)
Finally could you tell us what measurement the tank is , what else you have in the tank and how many and what size the axolotl are. I know its a lot of questions but hopefully we'll be able to help.
 
The reason they could be losing their gills may be due to the toxins building up in the water. As it was a newly cycling tank, leaving it for a week before doing a complete change does not help it to a) cycle and b) any ammonia that has built up within the week does damage the gills and add stress to your axolotls. Cycling can take anywhere from 3-10.5 weeks as long as the tankwater doesn't have complete or large/full waterchanges. Only 20=30% partial waterchanges should be done daily (or based on the results of water testing, ie ammonia/nitrite levels above 0) until it cycles. The partial waterchanges will keep down any toxins and keep it relatively safe for your axie to reside in. Once the tank is cycled (good bacteria established = nitrates) then waterchanges can be dropped back to once a week.

Don't use a flannel on the tank, the good bacteria basically establishes itself on substrate (if any), decos, plants (if plastic), filter media and tank glass areas. If you have an algae problem move your tank away from direct light and heat sources.

What substrate do you have in the tank - if you have gravel/pebbles up to 2-3cm in size this can be swallowed by the axie and cause eventual blockage which at worst can lead to a prolapse and subsequent death; at best several months (18months+) gradual pooing/excreting out of gravel/pebbles (which by any shot is still a painful looking process). Gunk also tends to build up beneath the gravel/river rocks causing an eventual water quality problem.

Read the link Bellabelloo posted. Also, the following will give you an idea on water quality: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/waterquality.shtml

Also, regarding your filter check the current by either placing your hand in the water by outlet/inlet. If there is a you can feel current or you notice the axies or plants get moved around when they pass it then yes it may be too strong. Can it be turned down/adjusted? Check out the following, it might help in choosing a filter: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/filters.shtml
 
Ok thanks! I'll buy the tests tommorrow. Ive just been doing the water changes coz they freakin stink lol. I'll try not to tho, it's just because my family members have been complaining grrr. I have made sure that i have large rocks (large enough not to fit in their mouth). So I have to literally put them in the fridge? I thought lower than about 20 degrees would kill them? and how long do i do that for?
Oh and I have a 4ft by about 1 and a half foot tank. There are 3 axies in there, no other animals. The littlest one is about 11cm and the two slightly larger ones are about 13cm and 14cm ish.

Thankyou for ur help :)

x p x
 
Oh and yea there is a slight gunkyness beneath the large pebbles when i clean them, would sand be better then? or does that have its problems too? is it easier to clean?

x p x
 
Phoebe- a temperature below 20C is quite beneficial. They actually thrive around 14C to 22C, although the lower end of the scale is better. Yes they mean actually put the axolotls in the firdge, in dechlorinated water, in a small secure (lidded) container, at a temp not below 5C- and also a good tip is to keep their container dark
 
Phoebe, there is a problem if your tank is stinking - there may be hidden waste or something else (stop adding stresszyme)

No axolotls are cold water creatures so anything below 20C is ideal, higher and they can get stressed and sick. They can safely reside happily in temperatures down to 5C, they come from glacial lakes originally.

For fridging, check the temperature by placing a thermometer in cup of water and place in the fridge for 15=20mins. As long as temp is 5C and above you're fine.

For fridge method, place a bottle of dechlorinated water in the fridge (this is for complete daily waterchanges at the same temperature).

Place axolotl in a lidded container of dechlorinated water (as long as its above back fin), then replace lid and wrap in a dishcloth. Lid stops it jumping out in fright, dishcloth to stop temperature and light fluctuations from normal fridge usage. Place in the fridge. The water needs to be changed completely daily to avoid any toxins building up.

The cold water has enough oxygen in it and slows the axie metabolism down allowing it to destress and give it a chance to heal. As the gill filaments have disappeared it will take weeks even months to regenerate.

Otherwise other two alternatives are:

1) Keep them in the tank, start doing 20=30% waterchanges daily - make sure to use a gravel siphon vacuum thing to clean beneath and underneath the rocks daily. Do not do complete waterchanges again. Stop adding stresszyme , clean up any waste as soon as possible.

2) Place them in a bucket or container of dechlorinated water and leave them in a cool room, change majority of water completely daily.
 
I am not sure where you heard under 20C is bad for axolotls but it's actually the opposite. Ideally your tank should be at 20C or lower. Seeing as you said in your first post that the tank is at the right temp, I thought perhaps you are keeping too warm. What is the temperature reading? That too can cause stress to your axolotl.

With substrate, sand and a bare floor are the easiest. So if you are having trouble with the rocks I'd suggest switching to either of them. Sand is easy enough to clean with a siphon but make sure to stir it up now and again to make sure there is no waste building up in it. The main hassle with sand is having to spend ages washing it first! No substrate is the easiest but some people do not like that for aesthetic reasons.

With fridging, just put your axolotls in a container and wrap the container with a tea towel or something to block out the light (opening the fridge and the sudden light can stress them as can taking them out to check on them all the time). Then you will need to do 100% daily water changes with dechlorinated water. It is a good idea to keep the bottle of water for the change in the fridge so the temperature of new water is the same - this is less stressful for your axolotl. At 5C, your axolotls will be unlikely to eat and may regurgitate food eaten previously, but this is nothing to worry about. They can stay in the fridge for a long while without eating as it slows down their metabolism. I'd try keeping there for a few days and see how your main tank is going.
 
Ok I will do that thankyou! sorry for sounding like a total moron. their tank as at 21 degrees. ile lower it down then :) the fridge is at 7 degrees. i left a cup of water in there for about 20 mins/half hour and the temp was at 7. is that ok? and they are in separate containers at the moment. would they rather be in one bigger one together? and will they not be a bit chlostrophobic in there, I found the biggest lunchboxes/tubs i could but its not nearly as big as my tank obviously.

x p x
 
I checked it again and it was actually down to just over 5 degrees. is that bad coz its pushing it a bit isnt it?

x p x
 
Cool. My mum said shes gonna take them out and stamp on them if theyre not out within about an hour. she said i'm contaminating her fridge and kitchen with bird flu. anywho, regardless of her, how long do they need to be in there for? and when theyve been in do i just put them back into their tank with a better filter and colder water?

x p x
 
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hi phoebe,
i would remove your pebbles and go with sand or bare bottom, this is much easier to clean.
your filter can be slowed by either directing it to the side,adding a spray bar, or placing plants in front, all these things will help.
when you put your axies in make sure they have plenty of hidey holes, and the water is dechlorinated.
you need to do daily water changes of approx20%, with dechlorinated water.
your tank can take any where from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to cycle but persevere with the water changes until the readings are ok.
make sure you remove any uneaten food and poop as soon as you see it, as this will make the water bad.
you can return your axies to the tank as soon as you have sorted their enviroment out,just remember to keep an eye on them, you can always return them to the fridge if they become stressed.
hope this helps some.
good luck
 
you are quite welcome and good luck.
 
Im just sorting out my tank whilst giving axies salt baths. Theyre looking better already, their gills have more colour in them now, I'm just hoping they'll carry on improving *crosses fingers*

x p x
 
glad things seem to be going ok, i will keep my fingers crossed for you
 
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