Recently bought a new axolotl! Need some help!

[BH1992]

Hi there, new to the forum here. I've never owned an axolotl before. But decided to read up about them, set up a tank then go for it. Now I got lots of advice on tank set up. Bought a 158litre tank and set it up for him. I found the store I was going to by my axolotl from and had them test a sample of my water to make sure it was okay. I drove past another aquatic store on the way home and decided to have a look. They had an axolotl in there. In what I would say is roughly a 30l tank. Along with other fish and a floor full of gravel. Which I new they wernt aloud. The axolotl had all it's gils bitten off. A chunk of it's tail missing, and looked very very skinny. He's roughly 4-5 inches long. I decided to rescue him as I felt sorry for him. Now I've had him 4 days. I'm struggling to get him to eat. I've tried frozen blood work, axolotl pellets and putting live wax worm in front of his mouth. I can't get him to eat any of it. This morning I saw him and it looked like he was struggling to swim to the top of the tank. Can you guys give me any suggestions on how to try and get him back to a healthy axolotl? He doesn't seem to have got skinnier since I got him. And his gills look like they're starting to grow back. Thanks for any help!

 

[pookiewn]

Hello!

Well done for rescuing the axie, its a shame he was kept that way before As much as I hate to say it, unfortunately it is sometimes better to leave them as the pet shop will just buy more and treat them the same way.

It may just be the stress of the move and new surroundings, give him a day or two to adjust and calm down and then try again. Do you know what he was fed before you got him? Have you tried with earthworms, I've yet to meet an axie that can resist them!

Make sure that the tank is kept cool, the water parameters are perfect and it might be worth putting a towel or something over the tank to keep it dark. It is fairly essential that you get your own liquid test kit, lfs tend to say it's "fine" when its not and not give you all the information.

Keep your eye out for any gravel that he poops out, it may be that he has eaten some. Some people on here have said they are still seeing some six months or more later

His new home sounds fantastic! He must love all that space It sounds that you are already doing the right thing if his gills are starting to recover

Pics please!

 

[BH1992]

Hello!

Well done for rescuing the axie, its a shame he was kept that way before As much as I hate to say it, unfortunately it is sometimes better to leave them as the pet shop will just buy more and treat them the same way.

It may just be the stress of the move and new surroundings, give him a day or two to adjust and calm down and then try again. Do you know what he was fed before you got him? Have you tried with earthworms, I've yet to meet an axie that can resist them!

Make sure that the tank is kept cool, the water parameters are perfect and it might be worth putting a towel or something over the tank to keep it dark. It is fairly essential that you get your own liquid test kit, lfs tend to say it's "fine" when its not and not give you all the information.

Keep your eye out for any gravel that he poops out, it may be that he has eaten some. Some people on here have said they are still seeing some six months or more later

His new home sounds fantastic! He must love all that space It sounds that you are already doing the right thing if his gills are starting to recover

Pics please!

Hi there, unfortunately he died earlier . He didn't look well atall since I got him. A bit stupid of me trying to rescue a sick one when I havnt had any experience. I watched his legs twitch then his little fingers curl up and then he died. The temperature of the water is currently at 19 degrees. I've tested the water with a home test kit and everything is where it should be. I took the axolotl back. Didnt really go to get my money back but to have a go about the conditions they kept him in. I'm going to get a new healthy axi tomorrow from the original store I planned on getting one from. They seem to know there stuff in there. I have 1 picture of the axi that died. It's not very clear but ill post it up anyway!

 

[pookiewn]

Aw I'm sorry, poor thing! He was in a state. At least he had a happier last few days.

I commend you for doing so, there are so many people on here full of useful information that if he was going to survive could have help you nurse him back to health. Your heart was in the right place. Well done for taking it back, I hope the shop take note and change the way they keep them in the future.

Good luck for tomorrow, don't forget to start a new thread with some pics of your new axie and their home