Inflamed Toe?

onyx2011

onyx2011

New member
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Bay City, Michigan
Country
United States
2ff007b05d49fc5b3e17268938ee6e2e.jpg


So, it may be a little hard to decipher at first, but the above picture is a picture of Tabi's left back foot. The toe closest to his body(and farthest from the camera) is enveloped in a white case. I say case instead of film because the white has dimension, and looks like a swollen toe. It's almost cartoonistic how swollen it is compared to his other, slim toes.

Any background information:

-Before I went on my road trip this weekend, Tabi had fungus on his gills on Wednesday, so I did a water change. Did a smaller water change on Thursday, and Tabi fought off the fungus on his own by Friday afternoon.
-I know it's a bad picture, my light short wired and still needs to be fixed, so my room light is my closet light. Pictures are better if I do what I did, which is shine a bright light and take a pic like that.
-Tabi is about five inches long
-His activity is still fine, he walked away and swam around while I was getting ready
-Tank temperature is consistently 64°-66°

Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
It is hard to make out the image in detail. It could be fungus.

What are your water parameters?
 
I don't think it's water parameters, cause he fought off fungus before I left for road trip... Some of my water wisteria died over the weekend, could that be doing anything? I was told wisteria could recover if left in the tank, but I obviously don't want to risk Tabi's health. I have no idea why my wisteria died when they've been doing just fine since October...
I can't really test my water sadly, dad is too cheap to buy one, and nobody wants to hire me because I lack experience because I'm searching for my first job. :( The closest pet store is 15 miles away, and my parents think I'm overly paranoid about my fish tank.

Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
You need to test water parameters. The Nitrogen Cycle is one of the keys to your Axolotls health. Since fungus has been an issue it is likely your parameters are off.

It is always the first place to start with any issues in your tank.

Your wisteria likely died because it does not have enough light.

Purchase the Welcome to API Fishcare: FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT
 
I already told you, there's no way I can do so in the present to near future. I know I should have a way to test water parameters. I know I'm probably the worst ****ing axolotl owner on the planet right now. Im probably gonna just do repetitive tea baths and water changes, and hope. :/

Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
I'm sure if you explain and show them the information on cycling and how it effects an Axolotls health they would take you to a aquatic store to at least have the water tested.
 
They still refuse to. It's like trying to convince a brick wall to tango

I'm sorry if I seem overly stressed, but pretty much everything that could go wrong, is. Friends are abandoning me for their cooler friends, I'm being continually asked by the school what I wanna do with the rest of my life, and people in a few of my classes are being absolutely horrid people. I'm sorry if I seem angry towards you. Just mad at myself.

Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
So, I decided to give Tabi a gentle salt bath. I followed a recipe I found on here. 2-3 teaspoons of salt per litre. I had about 2.5 teaspoons for 1.5 litres. While Tabi took a 10 minute bath, I cleaned the tank, cleared all sources of debris, and stirred up the sand.

Tabi didn't like the bath, and as soon as I carefully placed him back in the freshwater bucket(I had two tubs next to each other), he swam vigorously to get salt off of him. While doing so, the fungus fell off!!! Along with the two toes it had engulfed. ??

There's no fungus anywhere else on his body. Is my only concern now making sure he regrows two toes??? I'm quite horrified by his act of self mutilation.

Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
Your axolotl does not look healthy at all. He's very slim. What are you feeding him? He's far too skinny, which probably won't help in terms of him developing fungus. He didn't "self mutilate". He swam vigorously because as you imagine, being dumped in a bath full of salt isn't pleasant and being taken out he's trying to escape because he feels threatened. How long did you leave him in the salt bath for? He got fungus because you won't test your water and he's underweight and so probably has a shoddy immune system.

Why are you so concerned about him regrowing the two toes? It won't harm him having two missing.

If you will answer my questions I will help you try and save your axolotl.

1. Have his gills always been so "frill-less"? They have no frills on them, there very unhealthy looking.

2. Why is your axolotl so underweight?
3. What have you been feeding your axolotl?

I'm really intrigued to what you've been feeding him if you can't afford a testing kit, not meaning to be rude here. axolotls need to eat a LOT and their food is by no means cheap.

4. What is your setup like? What filter/sand/size of tank?

5. Have you considered rehoming him to someone who has experience? You obviously paid for the tank/axolotl/plants etc, so please could you either rehome him or get a water testing kit? He will die if you aren't careful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It's not that I won't test his water, I can't. I don't know why it is so hard for you guys to understand. I have no job because nobody wants to hire me for my first job because I have no experience. I would have to convince my parents. They refuse to believe me. They say it's nonsense and doesn't matter. I've spent hours trying to convince them.

I'm not all that concerned about his toes, just alarmed at how easily they came off, and not sure how to help him heal. He was in a fairly weak salt bath for 10 minutes, half the time of what some recipes claim you can leave them in there.

As for the frills, the camera might be weird because the water was shallow in the freshwater bucket, so his gills were touching the surface, and he kept standing and poking his head out of the water to watch me take pictures.

He is a juvenile btw. He has been refusing worms for about 10 days. Part of it may be because he got shrimp last week. I keep trying to feed him, but he isn't interested. I've only been feeding him chopped up worms.

Filter is a HOB, but there are nylons on the intake and a water bottle on the outtake to minimize current. Its a 20 gallon long, filled up. Black sand that is really small. Maybe the same diameter as mechanical pencil lead

Can't rehome him, there aren't any axolotl people in my part of the state... Plus I'd actually like to get experience instead of just giving up


Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
Well if you want experience you need to test your water. I'm a student, I have no money. But if I thought I couldn't afford an axolotl and a tank I wouldn't have got one. It's not hard for us to understand and if you carry on being rude and so "woe is me" you won't receive any help. Take responsibility for your actions. Why did you get a pet if you can't afford the most BASIC of care?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
How do you know that there aren't any axolotl people? You'd be surprised. Post on here looking to rehome and I'm sure someone would come get him after seeing the state he is in.

When did he develop the fungus? He wouldn't be that skinny from not eating for 10 days. Not being harsh but that's weeks and months of malnourishment, not a week and a half.

The toes came off because they were being eaten away by the fungus. To heal him faster, and help him not get secondary infections, your best bet is to take him out of the tank as you "can't" test his water, and keep him in a very large tub, you can buy 50L plastic tubs. Change the water every day with cold dechlorinated water. This will make sure there's no bad water quality and help him heal faster. They don't mind being in a tub. Mine were in tubs for the whole of summer as I couldn't get their tank cool enough.

Also, I've seen my axolotls gills outside of the water, they don't look like that, they still look fluffy and "mane" esque just flat to the head as they can't float. Your axolotls head isn't out of the water, his gills would be pressed against his body if they were. His gills don't look good at all, indicating water quality issues, bad diet and so on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Im sick of being scolded. I feel like you are sick of me as well, so you're welcome. I'm leaving. I will be working vigilantly to fix the problems that Tabi is dealing with. I love how small posts are ignored for days on end, but as soon as a major issue arises, people go on to harass the amateur owner. I bet you were just perfect care takers the very first day you had your axolotl! I'm sick of being treated in a condescending matter, and simply being told things I already know. I know I'm inexperienced. It's almost like I came here to try and learn! Whoa!

Goodbye.

Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
 
You aren't being harassed. It's your attitude that has caused the problem.

You haven't thanked anyone once for any of the advice you've been given, just responding with aggro and excuses.
If you're being told things you already know, why are you asking for advice then ignore what you are told?

It's called being a decent human being, to thank people. I've responded arsily because from the outset you have been very aggressive and sarcastic and not at all thankful that people are trying to help you. If you can't afford the pet, find him someone who will look after him.

I don't know what you are wanting to hear? We tell you what you need to do and you say you can't do it. What are you expecting?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I also researched the creature before I got mine. Making sure I had everything I needed and that I could afford the medication/vets bills/food/equipment. Like any decent owner of a pet does.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Awww poor baby :( I am by no means on expert, but I have a juvi as well. I completely removed all the sand out of my tank because it harbored nasty bacteria and uneaten food and stuff. That might be where the infection is coming from possibly.

I also refresh his water every so often with cool dechlorinated water and I keep his temps at around 62 to 63. The best thing I found is my boyfriend bought me a battery operated gravel cleaner. It works wonders on his bare bottom tank. Maybe try feeding him bloodworms? Mine love to eat those when all else fails and he's being picky.

Good luck with your baby :) And I know it's hard, but try not to stress too much. You clearly care and love him very much. Don't give up :)
 
I do apologise if you felt like you were being scolded, but having your back up from the get go will make people angry. It made me fuming.

I second what has been said above. You need a bare bottom tank. They're a lot cleaner. Scoop all the substrate out and keep it clean. If you don't have the money for a gravel vac, you can make your own siphon with a bit of tubing. That's what we do! Just dunk one end in the water and suck on the other, try and avoid the mouthful of dirty water lol. And then once you've got the siphon going you can clean the bottom of the tank whilst you do the water change!

How many water changes are you doing? I suggested a big tub because it makes cleaning easier whilst he's ill. You can do daily water changes then so his water is pristine.

I don't think you should feed him just bloodworms, their nutrition level isn't good at all and he's extremely skinny. So feed those along with earthworms. Don't chop the earthworms up as he is less likely to take those. Feed him whole worms. You can also feed him prawns (frozen but defrost) and cut those up. You might have some already in your freezer. When your parents go shopping ask for prawns and say they're for you. A bag will last you ages.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've messaged you, I hope you read it. ❤️


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top