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[sammi]

ok.. i honeslty dont know where to start.. or if i should even have a new post in here.. anyways ive had my axxi for about 5 months now.. his tank is filtered big enough for him.. theres pebbles and 2 plastic plants. when i got him he has bright red feathers and there all gone now.. im worried.. he floats quite a fair bit and thats kinda scary to i cant seem to find an aquarium around that know a whole lot about axxis, i feed him beef heart and blood worms, he wont eat pallets.. i was reading a few threads about floating and losing there feathers.. because of ammonia in the water im fairly new to the aquarium "scene" and im afraid im hurting him

every where ive gone they just havent a clue about anything to do with him.. i dont know what to buy to check the water for ammonia.. nor.. do i know what temp the water should be at. he eats properly and does his poos as normal.. he seems to be looking more see through every week.. its frightening if anyone could help i would much appreciate it.. as soon as i know what i need to do ill be straight out to the shop to fix him..

i love him lotz.. n dont like knowing i might be hurting him..

Sammi

(Message approved by ed)

 

[karen]

sammi any aquariaum shop or any shop that sells fish will sell ammonia testing kits - just ask them for one. The instructions come with them.

I'm guessing it shouldn't be the ammonia as your tank must be filtered by now ? but until someone with more knowloedge comes along I would do a 30% water change straight away. This reduces the ammonia. You can also by stuff that neutralises the ammonia so that it's not toxic.

It may even be an idea to get him straight out and put him in shallow water and change the water every day for now (or both). Either way you need to check ammonia quire regularly.

Hemay even need to go in the fridge ... but someone else will know that better than me ....

 

[edward]

What is the temperature in the tank?
Do you have any other animals in the tank?
Have to cleaned the tank recently and if so how did you clean it?

Ed

 

[kapo]

Might be best to put him in the fridge (as long as your fridge temp is 5degrees or above). Put him in a foodsafe plastic container with enuf dechlorinated water to cover him so he doesn't float and his feet rest on the bottom. Do complete waterchanges each day. If in the fridge, keep a bottle of dechlorinated water beside his container so the water temp is the same. (I found easiest thing to do was keep 2 containers of dechlorinated water in the fridge and just net him and put him in the clean one. Clean out the dirty one and fill with clean dechlorinated water and pop back in the fridge beside him) Oh yeah make sure you cover the container with a lid (doesn't need holes in it - colder water temps have more oxygen). And wrap container in a towel to stop the temperature spikes and the light from when the fridge door opens /shuts. If unable to keep in the fridge cos temp is too low, then put in plastic container and do complete daily water changes (same idea as fridge).

Your tank ideal temp shud be around 18deg cel (or no higher than 22deg cel.)

You can get a thermometer and test kits from your local petshop (if they sell fish) or local aquarium. (Doesn't matter that they don't know much about axies but they will have test kits and thermometers). U can also take a sample of your tank water to aquarium/local fish/pet shop and they will be able to test it. Find out the exact no.s from them and post them here.

What sort is he - leucistic/albino or wildtype? And how old? Just curious about the see thru bit.

 

[sharn]

*hugs* dont worry, youll be right soon girl! everyone has to start somewhere and youve at least made an effort to help him. big thumbs up to you!

www.axolotl.org has some great tips if you havent looked there yet.

what size stones do do you have and how large is your axie?

i agree with the fridge for now, some nice cool clean water will make him feel that much better

good luck and i bet you'll be fine (and him!!)