Please help - axolotl emergency

[rustiscool]

So I found a family member has two axolotls... in a fish tank with fish, as well as a small turtle. The turtle has a heatlamp and lights that shine right on the cage, and the axolotls' gills are practically gone since the turtle has been eating at them. The substrate is also rather large gravel. One of the axolotls seems to always be floating. I want to get them out of there. At short notice I have a ten gallon tank and water conditioner. I know ten gallons is small for two, but they're young and small and I cant do any better at short notice. I have no filter right now. My question is is it better to move the two into the ten gallon right away and clean it often, or should I take the time to actually let the new tank cycle? I know not cycling can be dangerous, but I'm not sure if its more dangerous than leaving them in the situation they're in.

 

[Murk]

It absolutely sounds like moving them is an improvement. Conditions in your new tank might not be great, but it won't be lethal like the old tank.

Uncycled tanks aren't dangerous per se (even without a filter), as long as you clean often and prevent ammonia spikes. They're just a lot of work. As long as you can keep that work up there's nothing dangerous about it.
Getting eaten by a turtle, now that's dangerous.

Great job on the rescue!

 

[rustiscool]

Thank you! They are moved now and seem to be adjusting well