HELP... my axolotl is not right

[duriora]

hiya, my axalotle is seeming from what i have read to be morphing. it has not eaten for a month and i have no idea what to do. I did everything i was instucted when i bought it and didnt want it to morph but since it seems to what do i do now??????? i would appreciate any advice offered.

 

[Kaysie]

Why do you think it's morphing?

What food items have you offered? What are your water parameters (temperature, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc)? How big is your tank?

 

[duriora]

Did another complete water change last night, and checked water conditions and they showed fine. he is in a 25 litre tank at the moment because he water stays cooler in that one than the 80 litre he was in before...
i am kind of guessing a bit about the morphing as he has no feathers and gills appear to be shrinking it has been over a month since he ate last... i have offered him meal worms,axalotle food, earth worms, beef heart, feeder fish, brine shrimp, blood worm and black worm. He has no abnormal markings or spots and no injuries but is very thin...
just over a month ago we had an amonia problem in the tank which i took care of straight away, i keep on the water testing as i have 6 fish tanks in our home but only the 1 axalotle and he has always been in a tank alone (apart from the other axalotles we had, never have put fish in the tank). we had 2 other axalotles at first but they died not long before corn cob (my sick axlotle) got sick.

I am borrowing a digital camera today to organise some photos if that will help. the water temp is currently 22 C.

 

[Kaysie]

I would really increase the water level. That's not very high. And with you doing total water changes, there's a lot of stress with the drastic changes in water chemistry.

If I were you, I'd put him in the fridge and continue to offer food. Then, while he's in the fridge, I'd sort out the tank. You should cycle your tank, as outlined in these articles: http://caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml, http://caudata.org/cc/articles/waterquality.shtml. A larger tank and more water will buffer against changes in water quality and temperature swings. Your tank temperature is too high. When it's this high, they need to eat much more than when its cool.

 

[ianclick]

Hi duriora,

There are many reasons apart from morphing that can cause an axolotl to lose its gill filaments, unfortunately none of them good.

Have you noticed any white fluffy growths on the filaments before he lost them.

Is there any noticeable thickening of the legs? What are your water parameters in terms of ammonia nitrates and nitrites?

I feel that your issue is a water quality one rather than a morphing axie. But it wouldn't be the first time I have been wrong.

Good luck

 

[duriora]

Yes i did notice white stuff before he got real sick..
I will fridge him today...
Thank-you for the advice far btw.