New Golden Albino Axolotl having problems?

[JonDabs]

This is my first post and first axolotl. I named him Axel but that might change soon haha but I bought him from this guy and I really dont think he had enough time for him and I really dont think he was very well taken care of. I did a lot of research before I got him and Ive got the whole water levels thing down and his tank stays at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Ive got a filter going with plants blocking the waterfall to stop the current. Ive got a small air stone going to give him all the oxygen he needs. Ive got a bare bottom tank and hes been on a steady diet of only frozen bloodworm cubes. Ive been doing regular water 20 percent water changes and one full change recently. Ive maintained all levels within specs through out everything.

When I got him I didn't really realize it too much until the ride home, his gills dont look in the best shape and they are kinda white colored and almost shiny or metallic looking. Ive tried to figure out what it is but am not having much luck with my own research. Is it a golden albino thing or is he sick?

Also since Ive had him hes started getting more and more flaky looking spots on his tail area. He gets more and more every week. Am I not doing something right what can I do to help. I have not tried any salt baths or refridgerating I figured Id find some advice first. Thanks everyone in advance!

 

[PatchworkClocks]

It seems to me that his previous owner didn't really keep the poor thing's environment in good condition. The white flakes on his tail are from peeling, which happens when the water condition is poor. I'm not sure about the gills though. The flakes on his tail should clear up as the skin heals, but if they're still there after some time you should seek further help.

 

[JonDabs]

It seems to me that his previous owner didn't really keep the poor thing's environment in good condition. The white flakes on his tail are from peeling, which happens when the water condition is poor. I'm not sure about the gills though. The flakes on his tail should clear up as the skin heals, but if they're still there after some time you should seek further help.

I'm really worried about him hes been getting more and more flakes since hes been with me. What extra can I do to stop this from happening? Should i give him a salt bath?

He seems happy and active...
I just don't know but Ill do whatever it takes!

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Salt baths are only necessary when there's fungus. I'll do some searching and tell you what I come up with.

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Don't worry, after a bit of searching I found that what's happening with your axolotl is just peeling. He probably damaged his skin when he was with his previous owner, and now the skin is peeling off to make way for healthy skin. He'll keep flaking like that for a while, and it will clear up. Just remember to clean up any flakes you see while this is going on.

 

[JonDabs]

Don't worry, after a bit of searching I found that what's happening with your axolotl is just peeling. He probably damaged his skin when he was with his previous owner, and now the skin is peeling off to make way for healthy skin. He'll keep flaking like that for a while, and it will clear up. Just remember to clean up any flakes you see while this is going on.

I really appreciate your help. I'm a lot less worried now. I hope hes on the road to recovery. I still wonder about his gills though. I think its the same thing basically. I think its just gonna take some TLC and time for him to be at 100%

again thanks so much!

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Of course, no worries. Keep us posted on how he's doing, and if you have anymore questions don't be afraid to ask!

 

[digitalxri0t]

I could be wrong, but if he's an golden albino like you say, then he looks normal in the pictures to me. Unless something is actually coming off and floating in the water to indicate skin he could just have metallic spots that are really starting to show through now with proper care. My golden looked plain yellow when I got him as a baby but as he got older his flecks really began to stand out, especially on his gills. Ive noticed golden albinos can either be a flat yellow orange to a rich yellow with shiny gold spots all along them. It's also rather hard to get the metallic spots to show up in pictures like they do in person.

 

[xxianxx]

There appears to be nothing wrong with that axolotl, it has a good body mass, gills look fine and the spots on the tail are normal.

 

[auntiejude]

The 'patches' look like normal iridophores to me too! Shiney spots are normal for albinos. They look OK on the gills too, although the pictures aren't the best quality.

Look up pictures of albinos, and see if yours look any different.

 

[JonDabs]

I could be wrong, but if he's an golden albino like you say, then he looks normal in the pictures to me. Unless something is actually coming off and floating in the water to indicate skin he could just have metallic spots that are really starting to show through now with proper care. My golden looked plain yellow when I got him as a baby but as he got older his flecks really began to stand out, especially on his gills. Ive noticed golden albinos can either be a flat yellow orange to a rich yellow with shiny gold spots all along them. It's also rather hard to get the metallic spots to show up in pictures like they do in person.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Ive seen some that look really yellow and others, like mine look more of a light color, almost the same as leucistic, but they have shiny like gills. I just wasn't positive if it was a golden albino thing or the pictures I saw that had like markings and color were also sick since I only really found one picture that looked like him. Which I will post that picture. (They look healthy to me but just older)

But I thank everyone who has posted in this thread. You guys helped more than you could imagine. Ive been worrying a lot about him. But not anymore everything is gonna be fine.

Heres a better pic of his gills, the best I could get atleast, and a pic I found online of two golden albinos with similar specks and shiny metallic looking gills ...

 

[digitalxri0t]

Your little one is healthy, don't worry. Like people axolotls each have their own personality with their spots, stripes and polka dots, just remember that. Yours actually looks like the little gold I just acquired recently who also really only has gold gills.

Oh! Different color backgrounds/sand can bring out the gold and make it pop so I would look around at the pictures of the golds and see if you can find a common factor that makes them stand out once yours gets a little older. Good luck with him!

 

[Quentari]

Those little white spots look like the normal white spots that albino's get. I've had two golds and three of my friends have whites. Sometimes the white patches will be literal white patches all over him (like my glorlim) and sometimes the white will be little shiny spots (like Thor).

The silvery gills is pretty common on albino's of white and gold, it's just irridiphores.

The reason they're showing up now is I'd guess your axie is pretty young. It's just gaining it's spots.