Illness/Sickness: My axolotl can't dive

[Leni]

Hi guys,

I have been experiencing this problem: one of my pet axolotls, about 25cm/10inches long Duff (the other, about 23cm/9inches long one, is called Axl), probably ate a small ancistrus, the fish that vacuums the tank. He seems to have some kind of digesting issue as he is floating on the water surface and is literally not able to sink in.
Except for this thing of his, he is in perfect condition, eats like hell (I gave them a piece of ribeye steak earlier today and they both enjoyed it quite obviously), swims and everything. I took him to a vet and he also said he looks pretty cool - he gave him some paste that he gets twice a day and consumes fairly eagerly. It seems to have very little or no effect though.

Any ideas what could be wrong and above all, what I can do to make it right?

Thanks for any help.

Cheers,

Leni

 

[LSuzuki]

Hopefully he will recover, but he may be in much worse condition than you think. Ancistrus and other "plecos" have those pectoral spines that lock into place sticking out sideways, to defend themselves from things that might want to eat them whole. Those spines can cause internal damage on those foolish axolotls that choose to eat them whole anyhow.

===> IMPORTANT <==== Plecos (ancistrus species and others) are not suitable tank mates for axolotls!!! They have been known suck at the slime coat of the axolotl causing skin damage or get eaten by the axolotl causing internal damage.

 

[Leni]

After nearly two weeks of floating, Duff managed to dive to the bottom for a while today - thus cheering up himself, Axl and me. So hopefully, things have taken an upward turn.
I had no idea the dumb thing would actually eat the ancistrus - I have only had the two for a few months. I know about these "thorns" on the heads of ancistri and was told (by a petshop assistant, sadly) that NOTHING would eat them. Nothing except for Duff obviously.
I hope he will be alright. I really got used to the both of them and I can totally see they have different characters, behave differently, each one is an original. I love their optimistic faces, I screwed up being misinformed and stupid and don't want him to suffer.
Is there anything I can do to make him feel better?

 

[LSuzuki]

The best thing to do for him is to keep his water conditions as close to perfect as possible. Monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and do water changes as necessary to keep them very low. Keep the water as cool as possible.

I'm not sure if a stay in the refrigerator would be appropriate, but maybe some of the more experienced axolotl keepers will speak up. If you want to read about "fridging", see http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...ick-axolotl/85263-axolotl-fridging-guide.html

Are you an experienced aquarist? Specifically, are you familiar with "cycling the tank" and so you have a good test kit? Do you have a dechlorinator for your water? I can't tell from you post how experience you are, so don't know how much more info you may need. :happy: