Looking for advice on very young axolotl

[Vicster1979]

Can anyone help? We have had our friend Axl for a couple of weeks now. Think it is only about 4 or 5 weeks old. Has front legs. No back ones yet. We have never seen it eat. We were trying blood worms and crushed trout pellets. Have finally managed to get some live Daphnia today but he isn't impressed. Is not looking good today. Can't seem to stay at the bottom. Looking up info it is stressed, or not well. We have taken it out of the bigger tank and put it in small container with minimal water. Gave it a pebble to hide under and a few daphnia to hopefully tempt it.

 

[Vicster1979]

Can anyone help? We have had our friend Axl for a couple of weeks now. Think it is only about 4 or 5 weeks old. Has front legs. No back ones yet. We have never seen it eat. We were trying blood worms and crushed trout pellets. Have finally managed to get some live Daphnia today but he isn't impressed. Is not looking good today. Can't seem to stay at the bottom. Looking up info it is stressed, or not well. We have taken it out of the bigger tank and put it in small container with minimal water. Gave it a pebble to hide under and a few daphnia to hopefully tempt it. Any ideas to make him better?

 

[gr33neyes]

A good description of your tank that you had him in would be ideal here.
Tell us everything you can.....include, tank size, substrate used, filter (if any), plants, lighting (if used), tank decorations. Now the more complicated stuff, did you cycle your tank before putting your axolotl in?......do you carry out regular water changes and if so how much water do you remove each time?
Have you tested your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates?
And finally what is the water temperature?

 

[Vicster1979]

The tank is 15" long, and 10" high, 8" front to back.
We let the water (tap) stand for a week, and used dechlorinater (Nutrafin), we explained to the pet shop what we needed it for. Water level 3/4 full.
We have a pump (Fluval 1 plus) with filter which circualtes the water. Which also stood in the water while standing. Along with an acrylic plant, and plastic castle which we also stood in the water.
We have had him for 2 weeks, and have done 2 50% water changes.
We have got a turkey baster which we use to remove the food if it is not eaten.
Temperature 17-18 deg c
The water is also smelling really bad.
We have today also bought a new pump and filter kit, in case the other one is to strong. is a carbon & foam one. We haven't used it yet.
He is still in a little container at the moment. Touchwood he is managing to stay on the bottom, although we have given it a very low water level. He hasn't eaten the Daphnia, and wasn't interested in a crused trout pellet from earlier. He does seem a bit more active than usual though.

 

[digger]

Hi i would keep him in the shallow water for now as he is still small,
your water is smelling as your tank is starting to cycle, this is something you need to happen to enable your axie to live healthily.
There are sevral posts on here about cycling.
You could use live blood worm at the stage yours is at this might be a better food for it, i mix daphnia and blood worm for mine.

 

[Jennewt]

Hi Vicster, I merged your two posts.

In addition to the shallow water, add some plants for him to hang out in. Keep some live daphnia in with him, and I would bet he'll eat it. Maybe it's not obvious that he's eating it, it may take a long observation to see him grab one.

 

[Vicster1979]

He's still alive!

Thanks for your help. Will continue to keep him in the shallow water. Should we leave using a pump until he is bigger? We have been counting the daphnia to try and monitor if he's eating. Think maybe he has eaten one, or it is hiding! Will keep you posted.

 

[digger]

As long as he is in a smaller container and you can do daily water changes there will be no need for a pump.
Keep you old filter running in his tank as the tank is cycling, if you replace it now it will just mean you are starting the process all over again.

 

[Vicster1979]

Axl is still not well. When you say do daily water changes do you mean full, or part? He is now not standing on his front legs, and just kind of balancing on his chin. He is a bit curled up as well. It looked like there was some improvement for a day or two, but now seems worse. We are desperate for some advice. Can you help further, or is there nothing more we can do? We still haven't any proof that he has eaten, as we can't tell if the Daphnia died, or were eaten. He isn't interested in the bloodworms, or trout pellets. He spends a lot of time hiding under the pebbles we put in with him. He does however seem to be looking different as in his markings are clearer now, and he looks a fraction bigger. Any advice appreciated! :sad:

 

[digger]

I would pop him in the fridge with just enough water to cover his back, cover the container with something dark to stop the light and temp fluctuations.
Keep a spare bottle of dechlorinated water in there with him to do water changes.
Do you know what substrate he was kept on before you got him?
If it was gravel he could have swallowed some and fridging will help him de-stress and pass any obstructions.
You will need to do 100% water changes because of the small amount of water used, this will avoid him getting any other problems.

 

[Vicster1979]

RIP Axl

Thank you everyone for your advice. Sadly Axl passed away in the night :sad:

 

[digger]

Oh i am so sorry to hear that.
I know how hard you tried.