Illness/Sickness: HELP!!!! Axie's not doing well

[xxcourtneexx]

I am a newbie owner, I got my axie's on May 28th, (a week and two days ago) and I've since lost one. I bought 4, and they came in individual Tupperware. The one that died had something white growing on his gills. It appeared last week and within 48 hours he was belly up. ??. I do 100% water changes daily while the tank is cycling. I just started checking temperature yesterday and keeping track. One of the three I have left has started growing the white stuff on his gills now too and I have yet to successfully feed them. I am terrified they are going to starve. I've tried freeze dried blood worms and earthworms and they show absolutely no interest. They are so skinny and I feel like it has to be something I'm doing wrong. It's killing me.

 

[SammyTheLotus]

Okay, try not to panic. We were all newbies at some point and hopefully we can help point you in the right direction!
I'm sorry one of your little guys passed.. The white stuff you're referring to could very easily be fungus.
What are the temps of the containers you're keeping the Axies in? Or are you keeping them in the tank as it cycles?
And also, are you using a dechlorinator on your water during every water change?

 

[SammyTheLotus]

And as for the feeding, have you tried frozen bloodworms? That's what I started my little guys on and they still go crazy for them. They come frozen in cubes and you can melt the cube in a cup in some dechlorinated water, then use a turkey baster or some feeding tongs to hand feed them!
Sinking carnivore pellets work nicely too, but they take a little more getting used to for some Axies. It took me a few weeks to get mine to eat them and now they love them!
Ones of your guys size should be eating at least once a day, if not twice a day.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

The temperature of the water starts at a nice 65-67 F but after a few hours it crawls up to 70 or 71. I've been trying to check it frequently, and pour in some cooler water to keep it down. It's been in the 80's here so it's not taking long for the water to heat up. I'm going to take a trip today to get the frozen bloodworms, there's nowhere around here to get them, so I have to drive a little over half an hour to get them.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

About the chlorine, my tap water comes from a natural spring by my house, it's not chemically treated, so I didn't think I would need to dechlorinate as there is no chlorine in it.

 

[Jaysolorzano]

About the chlorine, my tap water comes from a natural spring by my house, it's not chemically treated, so I didn't think I would need to dechlorinate as there is no chlorine in it.

It would be a good idea to get an API testing kit to test your tap water, even if it comes from a stream and it is de chlorinated it would be good to check water parameters just to make sure it is safe for them

 

[SammyTheLotus]

About the chlorine, my tap water comes from a natural spring by my house, it's not chemically treated, so I didn't think I would need to dechlorinate as there is no chlorine in it.

You need to treat any water you're using, since there can be heavy metals and toxins even in spring water.
That could be the source of some of your problems.
I'd recommend a product like Seachem Prime, a little goes a long way and it makes your water perfectly safe for your Axie.
As well, a fan (I bought mine at Walmart for $10) across the water's surface will help with the temperature.
Adding cool water will only help temporarily and will more often than not just cause spikes in temperature which can stress your Axies out more.

 

[AmberLouiseT]

It would be a good idea to get an API testing kit to test your tap water, even if it comes from a stream and it is de chlorinated it would be good to check water parameters just to make sure it is safe for them

Excellent advice, Jaysolorzano.

How are your little ones today? Any updates on their situation/behaviour?

 

[xxcourtneexx]

This little guy is sick or something. His gills are curved forward, curled tail, and he hangs out like this with minimal movement unless he's disturbed.


Still haven't gotten them to eat.

 

[Donna001]

Gills and tail curved is usually a sign of stress in axolotls.
Axolotls - Health & Diseases
What are his water parameters? If he is in a small tub is he having daily water changes with dechlorinated water? What temperature is the water?
Sorry about all the questions, just trying to work out what the problem is.

 

[SammyTheLotus]

You need to dechlorinate your water and take proper care of these animals.
Ignoring all of our posts about what you should be doing isn't doing you any good and is just hurting your axolotls. They look to be in rough shape.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

Forgive me for not spending every waking second on this website. I have not ignored anything. Yes, they get daily water changes, I put a fan on the counter with them and it seems to be helping with the temperature, which is now 67°F. The water parameters (according to test strips) seem perfect except for the alkalinity which is low. I'll include a photo of the strips. The pH is between 6.8-7.2
I got the super stressed out one to munch on one bloodworm, and one of the other guys had a couple mouth fulls. So only one hasn't eaten anything, but I'm going to continue trying.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

Forgot about the pictures for a second.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

The sick one is eating more!!!!!!!! I'm so excited I could cry!!!

 

[SammyTheLotus]

Are you adding dechlorinator? Just because the tests are within normal range doesn't mean anything unless you're making the water safe for them.

 

[Donna001]

Great to hear that they have eaten.
Samantha is right about the dechlorinator for the water, it is important for other things, not just chlorine. It's also a water conditioner, ensuring the water is safe for your axolots.
Try not to panic too much. Try to keep them at a steady temperature, and if they are in the tubs continue with daily water changes with dechlorinator. Keep an eye on the food and the poop.
Do you have a tank for them? Is it cycled or in the process of being cycled?
Best of luck with your little ones.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

I am. And the axie who didn't eat when I was hand feeding them is now eating from the worms that I left sink in there. It wasn't much but I'm chalking today up as a win. Also, I want to apologize for getting snippy. My uncle (who I'm close to) just had a massive heart attack and I am just a bit on edge. I've been reading comments and doing my best to take care of them the right way, but I just haven't had the time to respond.

 

[Donna001]

They've all eaten something - that's fantastic.

Sorry to hear about your uncle. It happened to my father last year. He had a triple bypass and valve replacement. Looking at him now you wouldn't believe he'd been so ill. I wish your uncle a comfortable, steady and full recovery.

Take care.

 

[SammyTheLotus]

I am. And the axie who didn't eat when I was hand feeding them is now eating from the worms that I left sink in there. It wasn't much but I'm chalking today up as a win. Also, I want to apologize for getting snippy. My uncle (who I'm close to) just had a massive heart attack and I am just a bit on edge. I've been reading comments and doing my best to take care of them the right way, but I just haven't had the time to respond.

I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. I hope he has a speedy recovery. I apologize if I came across as snippy as well, I just tend to fly off the handle when it comes to Axies haha, some people really don't take their care seriously and it aggravates me.
Sounds like you're on the right track though and I'm glad to hear your little guy is eating, I hope they only get better from here on out.

 

[xxcourtneexx]

I do have a 30 gallon tank that is in the process off cycling. I've read that it can take weeks sometimes. When I do the water changes in the tubs, should I scoop them out and into the new water with my hands or should I just try and dump most of the water out and dump them in? Which would stress them less? I know to be super careful because of their delicate skin.


Thanks for all the well wishes for my uncle. He has to wear a life vest that shocks his heart into starting for the next month and then they'll decide from there if he needs a pacemaker or not. He's only 41 ?