More help needed :(

[texa]

I've been having such bad luck recently, as always any advice would be really appreciated as I'm worried sick.

My remaining, and first, axolotl Toothless (original I know) is behaving strangely. He was laying spermatophores over the last few days, and hasn't been eating while doing so. Him refusing food is very unusual, he is normally ravenous all the time.

Today he is sitting slightly hunched, with his mouth a little open, making frequent gill movements and occasionally gulping. He seems very stressed. His cloaca is also wide open, and he doesn't seem to want to put his back legs on the ground.

I lost Toothless' tank-mate in March to septicemia, and the slightly open mouth and food refusal were symptoms of that. I'm absolutely terrified it might be the same.

I have a good vet, should I get Toothless there first thing for antibiotics?

Parameters:
NO2-0
NO3- 10
NH3- 0
pH- 7.2
GH- >4
KH- 3-6

Excuse his gills, they've always been a bit rubbish.

 

[texa]

After a long and stressful night I have woken up to find Toothless looking much improved. He's swimming around like his usual self. His cloaca is still open, but I can clearly see a spermatophore waiting to be set down. If it had been septicemia he would have been markedly worse by now, so I think he is in the clear.

I probably should worry less, but after losing Rosie, and there being nothing I could do once septicemia had taken hold, I'm really quite paranoid. Does anyone else's adult male act strangely when he's 'horny', and how long should I expect him to food strike?

Interestingly, I think that this has lasted longer than normal now that he is alone. Both boys used to do the mating dance and lay spermatophores in one evening, and then return to normal by the next day.

 

[Donna001]

Glad to hear that he is looking a bit better this morning.
It is only natural to worry, we all do it, and I can understand you being very concerned in light of your recent loss.
One of my tanks contains 3 mature males, and when they were all frisky at the same time it was quite a disturbing sight. They seemed to get it all over and done with quite quickly, and I've not had any of them refuse to eat.
Hopefully your little fella will start eating soon, or perhaps one of the more experienced keepers will be able to offer some advice.
Best of luck and please keep us posted on your progress.

 

[texa]

Thanks Donna, I guess worrying is all part of the 'fun'!

I spotted some fungus growing behind one side Toothless' gills, so I've started a salt bath regime to treat for that. I wonder if the stress of being frisky and in 'season' has allowed fungus to take a hold?

 

[Donna001]

I think that worry is a part of loving them and caring about them.

Perhaps all of his energy has gone into his frisky fun rather than his immune system. I think that the recent warm temperatures haven't been much help either. Keep a very close eye on the water parameters to make sure he has a perfect environment for healing. A few people hace said that if the fungus isn't too bad then good water should be enough for healing. I've also read a few people saying that a bath just using tap water (without dechlorinator) is enough to treat fungus and less harsh than a salt bath. Tea baths have also been mentioned.
I hope that the fungus clears up soon, please keep us posted on your progress.
Best of luck.

 

[texa]

I'm absolutely heartbroken, Toothless died on Friday. He went from being in breeding condition, to having a small patch of fungus, to passing away in the space of 3 days.

I want to know why this has happened but I am too distraught at the moment to go into more details about what might have happened in the lead up to his death.

He was my first axolotl, and was only 4 years old. He is going to be missed so much.

 

[Donna001]

I am so sorry to hear about Toothless.
I'm also sorry that we couldn't help you more.

 

[Zobug]

I'm so sorry. I know how hard it can be losing one that seemed so healthy and perfect in the matter of a couple days. I just lost one of my babies to some unidentified cause, and my heart hurts for you. Was there any rapid and obvious decline of health?