Hello from worried axo owner....

[Evel_Ev]

Hi everyone,
My name is Evelyn and my 9yo son James has 2 leucistic axolotls. We live in Montreal, Canada.
We got the axos just over a year ago from a lady that had hundreds of them... we were new to this and learned as we went.
Our two little guys seem happy, we have them in a large tank with a little sand and some decor and pipes for hiding.
My son pointed out that One-Eye (because when we got him he only had one) is always "smiling".... upon closer inspection, I noticed he can't close his mouth and it looks as if he has a growth that is preventing him from doing so. When I look at his head, it's also looking a little more bulbous on the right side (when facing him). Could this be some kind of tumor? How would they get cancer? The chemicals in the water?
The tank is always clean and water parameters seem good. The water has gotten a little warm at times (high 60s, even 70) as we've struggled with the heat on summer days. We are moving them to the basement so hopefully that will help.
I'm trying to get a good photo to show...
The last couple days i've been almost hand feeding pellets and he's been eating but yesterday though he tried, he spit them all back out after a few minutes. He's looking a little skinny but otherwise good (nice gills, skin,etc, is active....).
Worried and really hoping he isn't suffering....
Any tips, advice?

 

[wolfen]

a photo showing abnormality is always useful.
if the growth is preventing feeding veterinary help would be required for proper diagnosis.

 

[Evel_Ev]

 

[Evel_Ev]

View attachment 99220

You have to zoom in as I can’t get a clear close up.
I can’t find a vet that treats them.
He eats or wants to. Some days the pellets stay down others he spots them back out. I will try bloodworms and see if it’s better.

 

[wolfen]

what are your full water parameters? ie.. temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, gh, kh.
has there been any spikes from any of the nitrogen compounds?
the lump can be caused by a variety of things, ie.. infection, squamous growth, abscess, parasitic etc.. (ideally needs vet diagnosis)
ensure water is cold (15°c/59°f - 18°c/64°f, 15°c/59°f being best), water change done weekly 50% max, use 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate in water.
if lump opens into a sore antibiotics may/will be required.
ensure diet is varied and balanced, live/fresh or frozen preferable over pellet if possible, eyed food sources as well as non-eyed.