Golden Axie pinkish tail??? Bad or maybe a mix breed?

Last week I did move him into a 20 gallon from his 15 gallon. He slowly went down hill. I got him a filter, spray bar towards the glass, so thought because there was more oxygen, then that explains the gills. I was not told of the cycling process. Always kept him in a tank with no filter or aeration, he was happy and healthy. Since he was having all of these problems and getting worse, I moved him back into his old 15g tank with fresh dechlorinated water last night. No filter like before. Both bare bottoms. Not sure. He was happy and healthy, then switched tanks and he got all of these symptoms. In the new tank I used his old water, old unwashed ornaments, and did 25% water changes daily. Ammonia was at. 5 and has gone down to. 25. All other at 0. I don't want to lose him!
 
now that he has been in his old tank with new water, he went poop finally, A LOT. he was a little more active after he went, I did a water change, used conditioner of course. When I put him in last night the ammonia was at 0 of course since it was fresh water, today even after a partial change it was at .25. So I changed more water. He ate 2 small chunks of worm and has not yet thrown it up. But now he is only using one set of gills, his left, and leaning that way. he is moving around more, but maybe because he is uncomfortable. his skin and everything look fine besides his gills have shrank. wonder if he got a parasite from the worms? they were store bought tho. really dont know. going to have to check the vet list and get him in i guess, its that time,.
 
Axolotl's do not like change, and all the tank swapping sounds like the cause of the stress. Axolotls are known to pout in new set ups so give him some time to acclimate
 
He seems to be doing better in his old tank. Went poop alot! Moving more. Ate more but not usual amount. Better color. Hasn't thrown up yet. Got red spots on the back of his gills, the same color of his old filaments, so prolly them growing back. Hope he keeps improving. Breeder never uses filter or aeration and he has BEAUTIFUL axies. He said to go back to my old way of keeping him since he was eating like a pig, growing like a weed, and healthy. So keeping it this way. Also heard that there can be parasites in live plants. Rare, but could be. Just glad he went potty. Its a good sign for sure. And he is starting to react when lightly touched again. Before he would hardly move. So fingers crossed and no more filters! Lol. Guess the saying is true, don't fix what isn't broke.
 
If you were to properly cycle a filter, it would be better than no filter at all. It takes a while to properly cycle the filter so patience is always needed - the bacteria takes anywhere from 6-sometimes 18+ weeks to fully mature.


His decline may have been from the changes happening rapidly and with out time to adjust. I would never keep my aq.amps with out filtration after seeing the benefits of cleaner, healthier water with out ammonia.
 
if he gets better, i may try after everything has cycled in his new tank, but im paranoid now. I do feel bad! But when I got him from the breeder he said no filter/aeration needed, just fresh treated water and change some of the water every other day. he has always been fine, even after total tank cleanings. had no idea that the filter would mess him up like that, or start the cycling process (thought that happened no matter what). just thought it would be the same as before, just less water changes and more oxygen. he has always adjusted fine before after i take him out into a container, and cleaned the tank and everything in it, plus moved him to the other side of the room. always a happy little thing. just so odd. hope he pulls through! i have no problem doing water changes every day or every other day, doesn't bother me like i hear some people say its a pain. but i knew i had to do that from the beginning, so all good. don't mind. but have heard of a few people on here putting in a filter, or changing tanks and adding a filter, and their axie became ill with the same symptoms (some died). coincidence maybe, but just feel horrible and hope he gets back to good!
 
so pinky is back to normal, for the most part! the breeder could not have been more helpful trough all of this! lesson learned on the filter thing too! Just going to do what he said when I bought him (and what the breeder himself does) and keep him with no filter and just do the water changes. *sigh. Just very glad I bought my axie from someone that is willing to help and answer questions without judgement! Thanks everyone!
 
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