New Tank, New Axolotl

GreenGirl

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GreenGirl
Hi...

I set up a tank, 30 gallons like 3 or 4 days ago to start getting it ready. I unexpectedly found an Axolotl and bought him last night. I was given something to cycle the tank in 15 minutes. I used it and checked the levels with a kit I bought. It said pH was 6.8 the others read 0.
He's in there with guppies and ghost shrimp.

He was... lethargic? At the store.
He's remained somewhat still...

He's had two small pieces of worm today. I don't think he's eaten any fish or shrimp. He seems to run away from them.

He's small but I thought they told me 6 months old. He looks like maybe 3 or so inches. The others in the tank looked twice his size.
He was the only copper.

So I'm concerned for a few reasons.
1: I don't know enough and I'm confused by some the the things I read. One place will say do... Another will say don't.
Like I read earthworms only in one place for diet. Bloodworms only in another. Etc.
2: How he seems lethargic
3: I don't understand about the water levels enough
4: when he ate, he only wanted the one small piece. He rejected the second piece I offered. Is that normal? Do they need time to like... Take it in?
5: The worms I have are small and skinny. Should I feed like one whole one a day if he'll eat it throughout the day?
6: I've seen him yawning.
This evening he started swimming up over and over to the top of the tank. He still is. I've read this is bad.

I have a sponge filter. An air stone. I have not checked the water as I have no way to fix it right now. I figured best not to stress him if I can't do anything right now. The stores are closed to buy anything to put in the water.

I'm figuring we should go to the vet too. We had an appointment for the 10th but I think I'll see if they'll take him tomorrow and find out if something is going on with him.

However... Any thoughts and help are appreciated.
 

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I was given something to cycle the tank in 15 minutes. I used it and checked the levels with a kit I bought. It said pH was 6.8 the others read 0.
Cycling a filter in 15 minutes is impossible, whatever the seller says.
I let specialists of filter cycling (you cycle a filter, not a tank) answer more completely.

He's in there with guppies and ghost shrimp.
I don't know about ghost shrimps but guppies with a small axolotl are a mistake.
The guppies will try to bite the axolotl's gills and stress him.
Moreover, fishes can carry diseases which can affect axolotls.
 
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remove the sand as you are running the risk of sand impaction for two reasons 1. because of his size any sand he/she ingests when eating will clump in his/her stomach, 2. because there is something wrong with your water parameters he/she is taking air from the surface and to avoid floating issues he/she will be inclined to swallow sand to add ballast.
you need a full water test kit, and until you have nitrates you are nowhere near cycled. the only way to cycle a filter in 15 minutes is to take all the media from an established filter and place it in a filter of the same size etc.. even then though there are a small amount of bacteria the happily live in the pipes/inlets etc.. .
the idea in cycling a tank in 15 minutes is to put enough dormant bacteria in the filter to get it running which it wont, ammonia has to be consumed/converted to nitrites then nitrites consumed/converted to nitrates, the bacteria need to establish themselves into the media, you are more likely to cause a bacteria bloom then establish a filter in 15 minutes, its a bit like throwing paint at a wall and hoping enough sticks to call it painted.
the ph is too low and will hinder any cycling before it has even started.
I can't say about the rest of you water levels but if your axie is continuously going up to the surface they are bad.
unless you know what you are doing never put any animal into a uncycled aquarium.
as to the guppies and shrimp you will not see a healthy axie hunting in the day, perhaps you might see a fish snapped up when it goes past its mouth. they are night time hunters and are most active at night.
guppies are surface eaters (hence the upturned mouths) and don't pose a risk to a healthy axie but are also opportunistic so can harm a sick animal, the same for ghost shrimp they are scavengers and will avoid predators but will prey on a weak or sick animal.
 
remove the sand as you are running the risk of sand impaction for two reasons 1. because of his size any sand he/she ingests when eating will clump in his/her stomach, 2. because there is something wrong with your water parameters he/she is taking air from the surface and to avoid floating issues he/she will be inclined to swallow sand to add ballast.
you need a full water test kit, and until you have nitrates you are nowhere near cycled. the only way to cycle a filter in 15 minutes is to take all the media from an established filter and place it in a filter of the same size etc.. even then though there are a small amount of bacteria the happily live in the pipes/inlets etc.. .
the idea in cycling a tank in 15 minutes is to put enough dormant bacteria in the filter to get it running which it wont, ammonia has to be consumed/converted to nitrites then nitrites consumed/converted to nitrates, the bacteria need to establish themselves into the media, you are more likely to cause a bacteria bloom then establish a filter in 15 minutes, its a bit like throwing paint at a wall and hoping enough sticks to call it painted.
the ph is too low and will hinder any cycling before it has even started.
I can't say about the rest of you water levels but if your axie is continuously going up to the surface they are bad.
unless you know what you are doing never put any animal into a uncycled aquarium.
as to the guppies and shrimp you will not see a healthy axie hunting in the day, perhaps you might see a fish snapped up when it goes past its mouth. they are night time hunters and are most active at night.
guppies are surface eaters (hence the upturned mouths) and don't pose a risk to a healthy axie but are also opportunistic so can harm a sick animal, the same for ghost shrimp they are scavengers and will avoid predators but will prey on a weak or sick animal.
Thank you for all the information.

I can buy these...

In the mean time is my best course to get him into a tub and do daily full water changes?
 
Thank you for all the information.

I can buy these...

In the mean time is my best course to get him into a tub and do daily full water changes?
tubbing is the best course of action, you would need at least two large, bio-filters and even then you will need additional sponge filters for any muck build up (pumice and a little bit of sponge is ok for a shrimp tank but not enough filtration for a axie tank). better and cheaper just to persevere with cycling with ammonia chloride (dr tims). at least that way you know that the filtration will be able to cope with an adult axie.
 
He's in the tub. He's still going up for air but it's easier for him. He doesn't want to eat. I have earthworms. Should I try bloodworms? Frozen? How do I feed them?

His belly is too little isn't it?
I called the store again and asked about his age. They were guessing. They didn't know for sure.

The vet can't see him till tomorrow at 10am est.
 

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to feed frozen bloodworm put a frozen block in the water overnight cleaning out following day.
make sure you are using a water dechlorinator in the tub water and with any tank water changes.
put a air stone in the tub with him/her.
 
We are at the vet. They got him in.

Thinking he has stones? Gravel? Showed me the ultrasound. Saying he's too little to really do much but pain medication and watch to see if he can pass.
 
it will be sand, at his/her size small gravel would be easier to pass than sand because of sand clumping together. keep his/her tub water cold and aerated, the fact that he/she wasn't floating after surface gulping was a big sign that he/she had swallowed sand.
 
it will be sand, at his/her size small gravel would be easier to pass than sand because of sand clumping together. keep his/her tub water cold and aerated, the fact that he/she wasn't floating after surface gulping was a big sign that he/she had swallowed sand.


Went and got a new little tank to be his hospital tank. The air stone fits in there. Some hides.

They gave him some Meloxicam at the vet. I think he's pooped some since being home but it's been weird. Once it just looked like a cloud in the water?
The vet said try brine shrimp and guess what...he ate a bunch. Which is good because the pet store didn't have any blood worms. I'm feeling a little hopeful things can turn around.

We go back to the vet Monday for another U/s to make sure he's on the mend.
 
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