Help? axolotl dying

[marisa125]

I have three axolotls, two leucistic and one melanoid, one of the leucistic hasnt seemed to grow since i bought it. Ive had the three of them in the same tank and the other two are the healthiest theyve ever been so i dont understand it. I change the water once a week and have a marina filter which hangs over the top of the tank which causes very little water movement. I tested the amonia, ph, nitrate and nitrite and everything is fine. the temperature of the water is 16C. The gills have lost all colour and it seems to float about alot. i read another thread on here which gave me the idea to start the fridging process. ive done this overnight, the only thing is, i need to feed it as its so small and i know fridging slows down the metabolism. i dont know what to do for the best. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Petersgirl]

It sounds like this: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-gill-colour-loss-floating-loss-appetite.html

Their favourite food is best while they're in the fridge - I would heartily recommend small earthworms or a chopped large one. They're packed with nutrients. If he still eats, that's a great sign. It means he's strong.

Your maintenance sounds great, what substrate are you using? And you say he never seemed to grow? How long have you had him? And what were you feeding him on up until now? Have you added anything to the water recently, such as medicine?

The more information we have the better we can diagnose what may be wrong. I hope your boy starts to cheer up soon, you obviously love him very much.

 

[marisa125]

Thanks for the advice Ive had him just under a year now, and hes hardly grew at all, i feed a mixture of live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, daily. Ive left the tank barebottom. Ive not added anything to the water, everythings been fine so havent needed to add anything. You say feed him earth worms.. do i just dig them from the garden? ive never liked the thought of that, thought maybe theyd be diseased? I took him out the fridge earlier today, to change the water and tried feeding him bloodworms which he never touched

 

[Bellabelloo]

Could you add a photo of him please?
How big is he ?
If you don't use chemicals in your garden, then the worms should be fine. You may need to cut them so they are approximately the same size as your axies head.

 

[Petersgirl]

No problem! It's why we're here

I agree with Julia. I was worried about worms myself as my own went off bloodworm a little, so I started feeding her worms from my garden. Like Julia said, if you don't use pesticides or anything the worms are likely to be healthy. If you really want to be sure, there are loads of mail order sites you can get worms from. If you live in the UK I recommend Yorkshire Worms - just type it into Google if you're interested. I bought some worms from them two days ago and they arrived today, plump and delicious (well, to Toothless, anyway!) If you do decide to get some from the garden, make sure they're about as long as his mouth or smaller, that way he won't struggle to get them to stay in. And obviously wash them in warm water or tank water to get rid of the soil and any yukky fluid they might produce.

It's odd he hasn't grown much. Can we see a picture if possible please? Hopefully fridging will also persuade him to pass whatever is making him float (it may be wind or some food he hasn't digested yet). Also, a new food may persuade him to eat. Hope this helps!

 

[marisa125]

Thanks, ill have a look at the website for the worms now . The first pic ive added is of one of the other axolotls, i bought them both at the same time, im not sure if you can tell the size difference between them in the pics

 

[Petersgirl]

You can get less than 1 " 'hooker' worms from Yorkshire Worms which are perfect and they cost less than £5 including postage for a decent amount Well chuffed to find a supplier who's low priced and gives good service - couldn't find earthworm sellers anywhere in Cornwall >.<

GOSH. Your second baby really is small! 0.o He may have been the 'runt' of the litter, and apparently leucistics (which it looks like both of your babies are) do grow slower - but that doesn't explain why one is much smaller than the other.

I have a feeling he's genetically disposed to being smaller. There is a person on this board with the same problem: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...vae-breeding/53550-severe-stunted-growth.html

And this guy's baby has always been small: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-general-discussion/54553-axolotl-growth.html

All I can suggest is to keep doing what you are doing and feeding him, that will help him to fight off whatever appears to be ailing him.

 

[marisa125]

Thanks for the help . Hopefully he is just genetically small and its not a bigger problem than that. ive ordered some worms today, just gotta wait for them to be delivered, while im waiting ill get myself digging around the garden for a couple, hope he likes them . Hopefully after trying him with a few earth worms, his gills will return to their normal colour. Thanks again for your help, youve been great

 

[Petersgirl]

No problem! Thinking of you and your wee boy!

PS - Ahh, worm hunting. I remember that >.< I had to do it for about four days while waiting for my delivery. So glad I did though - within a week of trying earthworms, Toothless was brighter, her gills were healing faster and she was much more relaxed. She also 'begs' for worms now! I see her at the glass like, 'Moommmyy, I'm hunnngry!' At which point I have to remember I fed her THREE worms the day before and that she's still chunky from the last lot! I hope they make as much difference to your baby as they did to mine.