Not doing so good

[SaxonJeff]

Hey everyone,

About a month or so ago I got two axolotls as pets. One of them has not been doing so well and had to be separated from the other. The one in good shape has grown a ton since I got him, but the other one is just barely larger than he was when I first got him. Recently, he has also been belly up all the time with the exception of feeding time. Does anyone have any idea what could be going on with him? Thanks for any information you could provide.

-Jeff

 

[mary_kate]

I can't really help sorry. But my instinct would be to lower the water level to just above body depth so your axolotl doesn't have to cope with being buoyant. Feeling more 'grounded' will reduce his/her stress.

I'm sure others will reply to you soon.

 

[digger]

HI,
firstly i would put you poorly axie in a container with just enough water to cover it back this will help prevent it from turning over. You might want to pop it in the fridge or somewhere cool and dark.
Next we will need abit more information to be able to give any substantial advice.
What is the age of your axies?
What set up are you keeping them in?
Have you ensured all your water parameters are ok?
What are you feeding them?
Where are they kept in the home?
All these things may help determine what is wrong.

 

[Jacquie]

Hi Jeff,

Could you provide more specific information on the condition of the axolotl that has "not been doing so well". Has he been injured? Is he just floating? Is he eating?

What substrate are you using in the tank (ie. is it sand/gravel/rocks/bare)? If you are using gravel he may have ingested some by accident and it may be causing a blockage. If you suspect this may be the case, pop him in the fridge in dechlorinated water - there are plenty of threads on the forum which describe how to go about this.

What is the condition of the water (ie. what are the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/Ph readings)? The readings should be zero - Any reading above zero for ammonia and nitrite levels are bad news - very deadly to an axie.

What are you feeding him? He may be constipated which can also cause floating.

He may have gas, this can also cause floating...I don't know much about this though, it hasnt happened to mine...

Axies float for various reasons, if you could provide the further info it would help narrow the field on the axie's troubles.

 

[RICH123]

How much bigger is the healthy axolotl if he is considerably larger then maybe the smaller one is not getting his fair share of food and being bothered by the larger one, this happened to me a few months back.
He could be floating because he has swollowed to much air and cannot sink, or it could be somthing else like gas, i dont know much about that either but im sure someone who does will post soon.

 

[SaxonJeff]

Sorry, I guess I was a little vague in my first post. Here is some information about my axolotls that can hopefully shed some light on the problem:

My Axolotls are the same age, I'd guess about 4-6 months
The healthy one is in a 46 gallon tank. A couple weeks ago I took the smaller one out (due to his smaller size and I figured the other one might be harassing him).
He's now in a 1 gallon tubberware that I clean every day.
I put him in the fridge three days ago as I read that might help (yes I do refrigerate the water prior to changing it)
I am feeding both of them freeze-dried brine shrimp. I know the little one is eating as he takes it straight from my hand.


Thanks everyone for your willingness to assist!

-Jeff

 

[ianclick]

Hi Jeff,

It may just be a case of who got the best genes. Darwin had a theory about it.

Is the smaller axie showing any signs of stress or illness?

Whilst fridging your axie won't harm it it wont help with weight gain. The lower temperature slows down the metabolism and the need/desire to feed. You could try introducing some dietary changes with the smaller one or just increase its feeding rate.

Belly ups not such a good look for axolotls though, Frances has already given you advice on how to deal with the floating. Have you had a look at www.axolotl.org if not then do its has heaps of information about all things axolotl

Good Luck