New owner - need opinions - please help

[Bear16]

Hello everyone, I need an opinion about the health of my new Axolotl.
When I bought it (1 week ago tomorrow ) it was very thin, had close no fluffy things on it's gills and wasn't eating. The guy said we only needed to cycle the water for a week before getting it and that's it. We get the water tested because I was very concerned about it's welfare and the amonia and maybe nitrite i think were too high. We have been doing water changes and putting the chemicals in it to try to get everything alright but now since it is close to 40 degrees Celsius outside the tank temperature has been reaching 25 degrees while I am at school. My parents refuse to buy a cooler for it so I have been putting frozen drink bottles in it to try and keep it cool. I can never get it below 21 degrees. What could we try that is fairly inexpensive but effective? Also will it survive at 21 degrees?

Thank you ?

 

[Skudo09]

Unfortunately most pet shops fail to discuss proper cycling with new aquatic animal owners. It is important you read up on the cycling process so you understand how the nitrogen cycle works and afffects aquatic life and how to maintain an established cycle so you can maintain high water quality. Below is a link on cycling and water quality. Make sure you read the articles thoroughly and ask questions if you are unsure of any of it.

Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality

Ideally you really should have your own liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH. These kits are pricey but last a long time and important for maintenance of water quality. Many illnesses are a result of poor water quality so it is important to test the water regularly and often so you can monitor it closely and take action as needed to protect the health of your axolotl.

It is best to avoid using chemicals to alter parameters as many are not tested for safety on amphibians. What chemicals were you using? Are you dechlorinating your water?

In regards to temperature, you could use fans and face them over the water surface. However, it may not get the temperature down enough but if your parents will not allow the purchase of a chiller, anything is better than nothing. 25°C is far too high. 21° is still too high but not fatal. Ice blocks can reduce temperature but you do need to be careful as the ice once melted will allow the temperature to increase and if you are not on top of replacing the ice often the temperature can fluctuate which can be more stressful than a higher but constant temperature. You could also replace the lid with a mesh lid if your tank has a solid hood. The airflow will help cool the water. Also, if you can move the tank to a cooler part of the house if possible.

Do you have the actual reading for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH? If you have ammonia or nitrite present, your tank is not cycled. You will need to do daily water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite levels down whilst the tank cycles. A cycled tank will read zero ammonia, zero nitrite and a reading of nitrate. However you want to keep nitrate below 40ppm which can be done with regular water changes.

Have a read through the articles as this will explain the cycling process. The lack of gill filaments may be due to poor water quality or they have been nibbled on by fish. Photos would help to see exact condition. What are you feeding your axolotl and how big is he/she?

 

[Bear16]

Thank you for your prompt response. We are indeed doing water changes but only 50% every couple of days or so. We are using some stress coat which dechlorinates the water and removes heavy metals and Fluval which gets rid of ammonia and nirtate, these were advised specifically for my axolotl. We are now looking into getting fans but unfortunately my room is the coolest place in the house (Damn Aussie sun) I don't have the actual readings anymore but I know they were only a little high. We have read a lot about cycling now so hopefully we know what we're doing now. We are doing a 50% water change every 2 days or so which was suggested by a different pet shop claiming to be amphibian friendly. I can try to get photos but it's very difficult. I will put one when he/she was in the pet shop first then, if i can get a good enough photo, one of him/her now

 

[Bear16]

Alright I'm not sure if it has worked but the one where it looks more pink is in the pet shop and the more dodgey photo is in my tank. It's gills are slightly less curved now as there's no food in the tank. As you can see it's very young, a couple months max the guy said.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Skudo is right, you need your own testing kit.

Purchase the Welcome to API Fishcare: FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT You can buy this on Amazon.

You said in your first post that you think the test results for ammonia and nitrite were too high, so it is very important you have a test kit to make sure your water quality is correct otherwise the high readings of ammonia and nitrite can harm your Axolotl.

You need to read the links Skudo shared, they will help you to understand the cycle.

You really should cycle your tank without your Axolotl in it. Its safer to keep your Axolotl in a separate large plastic food food container with daily water changes, while you cycle your tank using an ammonia source such as degrading Axolotl food, or liquid ammonia purchased from a hardware/grocery store. This way while your cycling your Axolotl cannot be harmed by the ammonia and nitrite that builds up during cycling.

 

[Bear16]

I agree but unfortunately that is not an option at this point in time. We have read many many articles about cycling water and we will read those ones too however we do have to keep it in the tank as we have no other place to put it. We have been cycling the water for 2 weeks now.

 

[Skudo09]

You will need a testing kit to know that you are changing water sufficiently to keep the parameters at safe levels.

Not to say that all pet stores don't know their stuff but unfortunately it is very common that stores pass on incomplete or incorrect information. Regardless of how knowledgable they may seem and whether the knowledge they have and pass onto you, it is very important you do your own research and not rely on one source of information.

What are you feeding your axolotl? The first photo from the store looks awfully skinny and not far from potential death. The second photo shows a significant improvement in body condition.

I think your main focus now is to get yourself your own test kit (get the liquid ones as the test strips can be inaccurate) and make sure you understand the cycling process so you can monitor the parameters closely and be confident that your axolotl does not get exposed to dangerous levels of ammonia or nitrite during the process and also offer a good quality diet such as earthworms. Below is a link on axolotl care. You may have already seen it but in case you haven't it has a load of useful info. I would also suggest reading through various threads on this forum as it is a great place to learn a load of info.

Axolotls: The Fascinating Mexican Axolotl and the Tiger Salamander

 

[AxolotlChris]

we do have to keep it in the tank as we have no other place to put it.

It actually takes up virtually no space, I use quality plastic food containers like this:

Your Axolotl is only small so its very easy to use one of these containers and keep it on a desk or on a side table in the house.

You can use plastic syringes to suck out any waste or left over food:

Also, plastic forceps for feeding are a great help:

At least this way it is kinder to the Axolotl, and you will still get to cycle your tank.

Here's an image of some of my juvenile Axolotls in containers: http://www.caudata.org/forum/members/axolotlchris/albums/axolotl/38275-basic-setup/

 

[Bear16]

Yes the first one is when it was in the pet shop compared to now. I'm feeding it pellets and frozen blood worms and it seems to ve enjoying them. We have been looking at testing kits however they are fairly pricey and we have spent a lot on this little fella so we don't really have much left to spend. I will stress the importance to my parents and hope they agree to getting one. I know you cant really see the gills but do they kimda look alright þo you in the second pic? I will definitely have a read through whatever I can gind thanks

 

[Bear16]

Thank you for your thoughts and and opinions Chris I will discuss this with my parents as soon as I can and get their thoughts on it

 

[AxolotlChris]

No problem, if you explain that testing the water is important to keep the Axolotl healthy then hopefully they will consider.

https://www.aquariumkingdom.com.au/api-freshwater-master-test-kit

 

[Skudo09]

It is hard to tell exactly the condition of the gills. They don't look too bad and I have definitely seen far worse. A closer photo would help but unless you see some fuzzy white fluffy substance (suggestive of fungus) it is likely the damage would heal in good water quality and even then, minor fungal infection would likely clear in good water quality. They may not be as fluffy as they may have been before damage but that is ok. Some don't have very fluffy gills where others do based on genetics as well.

You could maybe share the links given to you to your parents and explain that having the test kit is important for your axolotls welfare. The kits can be pricey initially but they do last a long time as well. Hopefully they will understand it is a necessary part of keeping them. many illnesses can be avoided by maintaining high water quality. Having your own kit is very valuable in being able to achieve this. Good luck. Keep us posted