Should I be worried?

[MelissaT]

Hello everyone!
I was hoping I could get some help. I got my first Axolotl this past Monday from a local pet shop. a week before buying him I noticed he wasn't as active as the other axo they had and when I asked why I was told that when they had received him he was beaten up by other tank mates therefore was in "bad health". I have a weak spot for underdogs and wanted to take him home but was told he was on hold till he got a little bigger so I asked them to call me when he was ready. they assured me he was doing much better however I have had him for 3 full days now and he is still very...blah. He eats OK although I don't think he likes his food very much. They have been feeding him Grub pie and other mushy jello worm stuff, I didn't want to shock him by changing his environment and food right away so this I have been giving him the same(but i am totally up to suggestions about getting him switched to something else) Anywho, here are where my big concerns are.. He hides a lot! I know Axolotls don't care much for light so I leave the tank light off as much as possible but even when its dark he hides. He doesn't swim and when does it looks like hes struggling to get off the bottom. He only swims up for a gulp of air and then he just floats back down. and then I noticed this morning that there is a small lump under his front arm... what could that be?! The place I got him from had him in a tank with small reptile bark substrate... is it possible that he could have swallowed some? could that be the cause of all this? I haven't seen any poop in his tank, could he be backed up? If so is there anything i can give him or do to help? I really want him to have a happy and healthy life so anything info would be great! I am new to this site so as soon as I figure out how to upload pictures I will so you can see what i see.

 

[SammyTheLotus]

I can't offer much help as I'm a newbie Axolotl owner as well (And I don't even have mine yet, just waiting for my tank to cycle! :happy
Post a picture if you can of the little guy (/girl) and I'm sure someone here will be able to help you figure out what's going on!
Good luck and I hope your axie gets better soon!

 

[Kilolotlkeeper]

If you have tapatalk press reply then there will be a circle with a plus and you can post pictures like that, can't really make a diagnosis without pictures! Need to know size and all that


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[MelissaT]

Here is Wilbert's tank. I have sand substrate and sponge filter with an air pump. the water flow is really calm. I know its not the best picture of him but its all I could get. He's about 3 inches long. If you look you will see a discolored lump under his front arm. its not as big as it was this morning but its still there. When he's resting on the bottom he holds the one leg up.. sometimes both.

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[LSuzuki]

I can't see the lump, and the picture isn't super clear, but he does sort-of look "off". Can you get more pictures?

I am going to tentatively guess that he has ingested gravel and maybe that reptile substrate. Usually, the gravel will pass without causing serious problem, but it can take months.

Some of the more experienced keepers recommend that axolotls not be kept on sand until they are around 5 inches. You should probably feed your axolotl in a bowl (or feeding jar) to keep him from eating too much sand

Mean while, time to quiz the new owner - please forgive me if you are an experienced aquarium keeper, but many new axolotl owners are not, and then have problems due to inexperience.

Do you know what "the cycle" is? Is your tank cycled?

Do you have a test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and what are the readings?

Good luck with your new friend!

 

[Skudo09]

I agree with Laura and will add that the abdomen in the photo does look suspiciously like some of the substrate has been invested but as Laura pointed out, it may be best to try and get some clearer more close up photos to get a better view.

 

[AxolotlChris]

I responded to this same post that you made in the Axolotl sub forum, i'll copy my post here since this one has become active:

Never heard of the food they have been feeding. You should start on earth worms (Red Wigglers). Earth worms contain the correct nutrients for an Axolotl.
Caudata Culture Articles - Worms

I'm not sure of the consistency of the substrate they used but it doesn't sound right, but you said 'bark' so it could be possible the Axolotl has ingested it which is causing problems internally.
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates

You need to be fully aware of the Nitrogen Cycle, how it functions and effects your Axolotl. It's key to keeping your Axolotl healthy. Read these links fully:
Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality
Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

You will need to purchase a liquid testing kit for monitoring the Nitrogen Cycle:
http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?sectionid=1&catid=18&subcatid=94&id=580
You can purchase these on Amazon.com

Also your temperature is required to be between 16-18 degrees Celsius, this is the optimum temperature for Axolotls. Do you own an aquarium thermometer?

As said, take some images of your Axolotl from various angles, post your test results for Ammonia, Nitrite, NitrAte, and PH, if you can do so.

 

[Kilolotlkeeper]

If you need to, put your axolotl in a smaller container to take pictures


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[MelissaT]

Update: Wilbert pooped!!!! When I woke up this morning there was poop in the tank AND the lump was gone. I fed him some blood worms around noon and then he pooped again a few hours later except this time he pooped out bark! (sorry the picture isn't very clear) I just checked on him a few moments ago and he pooped again... this time there was two pieces of bark. My poor baby! He has been much more active today but still seems sluggish.

Thank you all for the response and information. I had no clue what cycling was. I had his water tested today and was told there was a small amount of ammonia in the water but that was probably because he's been in there for a few days. I was advised to do a water change and to keep an eye on him and to look for signs of stress but other than that let nature do its thing. My only concern now is water temperature. How can I keep the water cool? Currently it's at about 20 degrees Celsius. He is showing no signs of stress but I know he would be happier with cooler water.

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[MelissaT]

Three of the five piece of bark that Wilbert has passed so far.


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[LSuzuki]

A fan blowing across the water is the easiest way to cool a tank. It works best in dry weather, so when we need cooling most (the humid summer) it works the least well.

Please get a master test kit (the kind with the liquid drops - it is more accurate and cheaper in the long run) and read up on the cycle! We want your axie (and you) to be happy. :happy:

 

[MelissaT]

A fan blowing across the water is the easiest way to cool a tank. It works best in dry weather, so when we need cooling most (the humid summer) it works the least well.

Please get a master test kit (the kind with the liquid drops - it is more accurate and cheaper in the long run) and read up on the cycle! We want your axie (and you) to be happy. :happy:

I will! Thank you


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[AxolotlChris]

Read all the links I posted above, and check out:
Axolotls: The Fascinating Mexican Axolotl and the Tiger Salamander

Read everything and you will be fine!