Ideas on health / history?

[katzm30w]

I consider my new axie Moo a bit of a "rescue." The person who had him before had to find him a new home because her "roommate couldn't stand him." I'm not sure what could bother someone about a creature that spends his life in a tank, but I digress...

She called my friend's store asking if they knew of anyone who wanted an axolotl, and he snatched him up for me. I finally got to bring him home Friday night after the water levels were finally right. Moo shares his tank with some guppies (a lot less than I started with, he just grabbed another one while I was typing, LOL) and one other random fish that was with him in the tank he was in at my friend's store.

I've read a lot about tank mates and was concerned about having the guppies and the random fish, though for the most part, the fish stay away....and I think Moo is appreciating getting to eat whenever he wants to. But my question on that is, will they regulate their own eating, or will they eat to the point of bursting or making themselves ill?

I've read what people have said about the stomach being about the same size as the head, and based on that, I think Moo's a little underweight. He's hiding in his plants right now or else I'd take a picture. So at the moment, I'm not too, too concerned about him overeating...but I guess I have to decide if I'm going to get more guppies.

He also has spots. My boyfriend said he thinks they're just part of his coloring/pattern since he's albino, but I'm nervous and want to make sure there's not some fungus or infection eating him alive. I have no idea what kind of conditions he lived in before I got him, so I don't know if this is "normal" for him...and the only other 'lotl I've ever seen up close didn't have spots, and he was albino, too.

His gills also look like he may have been nipped at when he was younger. One on his left has a fork in it, and one on the right has a little bit of a weird kink to it. But as far as I can tell, if something regenerated, they've regrown fully - he's frilly everywhere he looks like he should be frilly.

So...from what you can see through pictures, does it look like there's anything I need to address with him? I'm a bit neurotic since I don't know his history; I've already had a few "is he dead?" moments, and I don't want any more of those! Any guesses as to age / sex? I'd say he's about 8" long.

Thanks for any input!

 

[yonykins]

Your story really resonated with me; I consider my axolotl a rescue as well.

I also had fungus concerns, but it turns out my axolotl just has a random white patch.

The "spots" look to me like iridophores, shiny speckles that axolotls have. There are different types of albinos, and some have iridophores and some don't. You can read more about that on the genetics page of axolotl.org, here.

See if the spots shimmer when you change the angle you are looking at him from.

I'm no expert, but his gills look a little sparse. Could just be the way he is. My axolotl had sparse gills when I rescued him, but they quickly plumped up when he spent time in good water.

I have never put fish in with my axolotl, and there are several different opinions floating around, it seems. The fish can injure your axolotls gills.

However, I don't think overeating is a problem. I believe for the most part, axolotls are too lazy to catch food if they are full Or maybe that's just mine?

You don't want to feed him only fish, as they aren't a complete food source. Earthworms offer complete nutrition and you don't have to worry about them biting.

 

[auntiejude]

The fish will try and have a go at your axie's gills sooner or later, and unless you know what fish they are I'd get rid of them. Chances are they are tropical fish and won't be happy in an axie tank.

The 'spots' are iridophores, normal colouring for a golden albino. You possibly saw a white albino before, they have no iridophores and are pinker rather than yellowy.

Axies will stuff themselves to obesity if given a chance, so you need to regulate his food. Earthworms are best, fish are not suitable as a staple.

Can't tell sex from your photos, you need a pic of the bit between the back legs and the tail, and a shot from above showing his whole body.

As for age I'd say well over a year, he's fully grown and a reasonable size, and his face is definately adult. He could be anything from 1 to 12 though, there's no way of telling.

 

[katzm30w]

Thanks guys. The guppies were a cheat to get my water right. I know it's not the best idea to kick-start a tank cycle that way, but I was getting absolutely nowhere, so decided to give it a try. I figured they would end up being a 'welcome home' dinner for Moo and that would be the end of them. The only reason I would buy more would be if they're an acceptable food source.

But they're not all he's had to eat since I brought him home, he's had some brine shrimp and bloodworms, and tonight I finally located some nightcrawlers. He promptly slurped one up like gooey spaghetti. Though there was a good 10 minute argument over the size of the worm first (between me and my boyfriend, not me and Moo) - how big is too big?

He also had pellets and crickets when at my friend's store, and I have no idea what his previous human fed him. Changing food like that doesn't bother them, does it? He was out enough for me to snap an overhead photo. He'd eaten not too long before this was taken, though I think he still looks a little slim. Maybe I'm crazy.

Good to know the spots are normal. If his gills are sparse...how can that be helped? Or is it just something that happens over time with proper care?

And the random fish is apparently a tetra.