Illness/Sickness: New axolotl, new owner and I think he's a little weak.

[Asuka]

Hello peoples, I'm new to this whole having an Axolotl.

First thing I noticed with my new Axolotl (has no name yet) is that his gills are small, the store housed him with other fish and I think they were nipping at them.

Also I think he's a teen but even so he looks thin.

His tail tip is slightly curled which I read was an indicator of stress.

My measures:

- I fed him mysis shrimp
- Adjusted him to his new house by using the floating bag method
- Current temp is 67F (19C)
- Housed temporarily in a 5g, while I'm working on my new 20g, he'll only have to be there 1 more day. (The water in it is aging with conditioner)
- Removed gravel


I need to know what you think about my diagnosis and if I need to do something in particular or change something? And how can I help him grow out his gills-- I am not sure how fatal it is, but he seems to be gulping air every 20 min or so

I know in the pic, the tank has thick sand, and gravel, I did not know it was bad for them till after some more research, I put him there and moved my betta that I had there who had a tail biting fit and is in a hospital tank. Please forgive me for that. His new home will have decor and everything ready when I get them tomorrow.




.

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Have you checked your water peremeters and/or Is there any current coming from your filter? Axolotls do not like strong water currents, this or a spike in ammonia could be stressing him out. His gills will grow back accordingly with no treatment, just keep his water cool and clean. He doesn't look deathly underweight to me, I'd feed him every other day for now but see for yourself how he likes to feed. If he doesn't want to eat vast amounts straight away, don't try to force him. It's not unusual for axolotls to go off their food when they've just been moved.

 

[Asuka]

Have you checked your water peremeters and/or Is there any current coming from your filter? Axolotls do not like strong water currents, this or a spike in ammonia could be stressing him out. His gills will grow back accordingly with no treatment, just keep his water cool and clean. He doesn't look deathly underweight to me, I'd feed him every other day for now but see for yourself how he likes to feed. If he doesn't want to eat vast amounts straight away, don't try to force him. It's not unusual for axolotls to go off their food when they've just been moved.

thanks for the quick reply, and no I haven't checked my water because I gave it a 100% water change when I put him in, and it's been only a day-- I do not think ammonia spiked so much, even so, I'll have the pet store test the water for me. Though he's being moved to a new tank tomorrow XD

I do not have a filter in his 5g, my betta's don't use filters, however my 20g has one with a very gentle current, baffled with a sponge

Should I worry about the curled tip of his tail?

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I would keep an eye on it for now, see if his condition worsens. Hopefully it will not. All the traveling, moving tanks, different surroundings, etc can be stressful to axolotls.

 

[Asuka]

I would keep an eye on it for now, see if his condition worsens. Hopefully it will not. All the traveling, moving tanks, different surroundings, etc can be stressful to axolotls.

Also I'm a little worried because a few hours ago he began floating around a lot, I'm not sure if that is normal. I gently pushed him down and he floats right back up. He gulps air and these past 3 hours he's been just floating in a different parts of the tank... is this considered normal?

If this helps, his arms and legs are spread open white, and his head is higher than the rest of his body. Sometimes he moves to lean on the top of a plant. I have a theory though, he floats always in the back part of the tank nearest to my betta-- perhpas he thinks it's chow?

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Does he do it all the time or just occasionally? Its not unusual for axolotls to "hang out" at the water surface, this is where a lot of the oxygen can be found. Do you feel it's more his rear end keeping him afloat?

 

[Asuka]

Does he do it all the time or just occasionally? Its not unusual for axolotls to "hang out" at the water surface, this is where a lot of the oxygen can be found. Do you feel it's more his rear end keeping him afloat?

I cannot say I've only had him for a day and it's the first time he does this, and no, he's pretty straight out floating and sometimes his head is higher than his body.

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I think you need to give him a little more time to settle in. Like I said axolotls can act slightly out of character when they're in new surroundings. Because you say he sometimes tilts his head while floating, this makes me think it's because of the oxygen in the water. I don't think it's anything to worry about but keep an eye on his condition. There is always someone on caudata to give you further information if you feel he isn't "quite right."

 

[Asuka]

I think you need to give him a little more time to settle in. Like I said axolotls can act slightly out of character when they're in new surroundings. Because you say he sometimes tilts his head while floating, this makes me think it's because of the oxygen in the water. I don't think it's anything to worry about but keep an eye on his condition. There is always someone on caudata to give you further information if you feel he isn't "quite right."

thanks I'll do that sorry for being a worry wart XD I always had a bad luck with illnesses, so now whenever I get something new, I fret and get paranoid.

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Don't be silly, it's always a worry when you're a beginner I was a nervous wreck when I first became a hobbyist. I thought everything slightly out of the ordinary was something terrible.

 

[AxieMama]

I still freak every time my guys hang out floating at the top...I guess it's from keeping fish, where floating usually = dead lol.