Please help!!! Adult black toes? Illness?? Metamorphasizing?

Holly12

Holly12

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Black toes or metamorphing?

I know axie toes go black when they become adults but is this normal? Stellys tips went brown and super thin and the skin of the toe folds over....
Also, at 8" can I assume he is a "she?"
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Re: Black toes or metamorphing?

No one has any ideas? I'm freaking out!!!
 
I posted this in the sickness section, but no one is seeing it there...

Is this normal?? I know axies toes go black when they are adults, but if you look at these pics, Stelly looks like he is actually growing claws!!! The tips have thinned out and the knuckle looks bony!! It's on both back feet and starting to happen on the front.

He/she is 8".... is this normal? Can I assume it's a she now?

20161114_141020_zpsau84tzkm.jpg


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His water params:

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 20ppm (live plants in tank)
Ph: Between 7.6 and 8.2 (on the regular ph test it's 7.6 which is the highest. On the high pH test it's between 7.4 and 8.2) I'd say closer to 7.8 to 8.2
Hardness: We are on a natural well, our water is hard!!
Temp: Between 15 and 18
Diet: 2 Night crawlers every other day.
 
Sembra Tutto normale. Dont worry!?

Inviato dal mio ASUS_Z00AD utilizzando Tapatalk
 
They go into claw shape? Can I assume at 8" the sex?
 
Re: Black toes or metamorphing?

Is your little one still eating and generally doing well? Certainly looks good, apart from the toes. It almost looks as if the skin has worn off, so it would be worth checking your substrate, to see if the sand is sharp or round. If it's slightly sharp I'm wondering if your little one is quite active and has rubbed the skin off while moving around the tank. There doesn't appear to be any fungus/infection there, which is a good sign. It might be worth having a smooth substrate (perhaps some flat rocks) or even a bare bottom tank for a while to see if the skin on the toes grows back.
I will also say that I am not an experienced keeper, and I hope that more people will offer more practical advice, because I've not seen this problem before. Sorry I can't be of more help.
As always, check your water parameters, and keep us posted.
Good luck.
 
Good to see your parameters are so good.
I've replied on your other thread. :happy:
 
Re: Black toes or metamorphing?

It's very soft sand and he/she isn't super active. He does go around in his caves and sometimes walk around a bit, but I wouldnt say ovely active. It's been the same substrate since I got him 4 months ago and hasn't caused any issues so far.

So, when they become adults, the toe tips don't go skinnier?
 
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Re: Black toes or metamorphing?

I find it frustrating that out of all the members with adult axolotls, no one can tell me if this is normal or not.... I'm very worried about him. I've waited years for an axolotl, but if something happens to him, I think I'm giving up. I can't handle worrying about another one all the time and I've had posts on here go weeks with out responses. There needs to be an emergency section that is monatured multiple times a day for people who have never had an axie before and need help fast.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just very worried and sad with the lack of responses. I don't know what to do.
 
Holly12 said:
I find it frustrating that out of all the members with adult axolotls, no one can tell me if this is normal or not.... I'm very worried about him. I've waited years for an axolotl, but if something happens to him, I think I'm giving up. I can't handle worrying about another one all the time and I've had posts on here go weeks with out responses. There needs to be an emergency section that is monatured multiple times a day for people who have never had an axie before and need help fast.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just very worried and sad with the lack of responses. I don't know what to do.
Click to expand...



I've been told this forum is far from what it used to be, most of the reliable regular posters are long gone. I always check the app every hour or so, and I do help when I can. I've never seen toes like this in my life of keeping axolotls and trawling the Internet. So I'd say no, something is not right. Sexual maturity when it comes to feet is usually just the darkening of the toes or lightening depending on axolotl colour. Their toes don't get fatter or anything, just fatten as the axie gets fat lol.

There's a group on Facebook that's very good and gives very fast responses and is axolotl only really. Message me for more info x


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Holly, I saw your post yesterday, but I was (and am again) at work, so the pictures aren't loading for me to see the issue, and I can't even begin to imagine what it looks like.

I had hoped someone else would respond to put your concerns at ease. If you think there is an immediate problem then I would remove the substrate immediately and see if that helps in the healing process If there is no sign of a fungus or infection hen I would simply keep the tank spotlessly clear.

Hope this helps a little.
 
I'm sorry I don't think my response will help but they look like little claws emerging. Is it on all 4 feet or just 1 or 2?
 
Sorry you are going though this.

All I can say regarding the views and response times is that I'm new to keeping newts, and have no real knowledge to share. However, I check the site often and read all kinds of threads unrelated to newts, which is why you may see many views with few or no responses. I don't think people are intentionally ignoring anyone; we may simply have no help to offer.

As someone else noted, it does seem like this forum is not as active as it once was/could be.

Good luck.
 
This is not a normal or typical occurrence in axolotls. None of my adults have toes like this, and it looks like no one else had seen this either.

I can understand you frustration and worry about him, but the best thing right now for your axolotl is to remain calm and help him before anything gets worse. As Donna mentioned your axolotl doesn't have any infections from what we can see. This is a very good sign. It almost looks like the skin was rubbed off or has receded on his toes exposing the bones. I would also recommend that you remove the substrate from his tank, leaving it bare bottom would be best in my opinion, and observe his toes to see if they improve.

It would also be extremely helpful if you could continue to upload pictures And any other information on Stelly's condition as it will not only help us help you, but it could also assist someone in the future who may experience a similar problem.
 
I thought bare bottom tanks stresses them out? Won't it be worse to have the axie stressed constantly with no substrate?

I'm confused as to how the sand is only hurting his toes now...
 
I called the store where I got his sand. They said the black sand is crushed obsidian, so he suggested coming in to get regular, soft sand and add in some bacteria to compensate for the loss during the substrate change. I will be going to do the change now. I really hope Stelly doesn't get too stressed as he will be in a bucket whilst I change him over.

Tips for healing? Just the softer sand, cool water and perfect params?
 
Those are the best conditions for healing for an axolotl.

If the substrate is really crushed obsidian, I can understand there being some damage to his toes, that would be like walking on crushed glass!

Personally I wouldn't add any bacteria to the new substrate, but that is just me.

My axis aren't stressed by a bare bottom tank at all, but it's on a black stand, so there is a noticeable "bottom" to it. Even so they still nose dive down and bonk their noses on the bottom.
 
Taking that obsidian hurt MY hands!! Poor guy!!!

His new sand is like touching air it's so soft. Temp dropped to 13 when I did the change, so we will see what happens. I will message again with pics later. Crystal, I will PM too. :)
 
It does look like exposed bone. There have been posts in the past of this being caused from a bacterial infection which can occur with contact from the bare bottom glass or sand, if not properly kept clean.

It sounds reasonable that it could be from your substrate but if you don't see an improvement within a few weeks, I would keep this in mind.
 
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