Illness/Sickness: Sick Axolotl - Am I doing the correct things?

[zoie]

Sorry to seem as though the same sorts of 'Axolotl Illness' problems are appearing on the threads, but Im worried about my lotl Tarquin and just wondered if anybody had any advice/assurance.

Having been away for five days, Ive come home to find that Tarquin hasn't been eating, has turned really really pale and almost floats on occasions. Ive tested the water immediately and the ammonia and nitrates are high, for which im cycling the water (25 % a day). The pH had also dropped unexpectedly to 4.5 - ive been given some 'buffer' stones to correct this (I hope). The temperature is 19-20 degrees, which is his (slightly too hot I know) normal. He is about 2 years old and about 20cm long, and the base of his tank is aquarium sand - this was replaced about a week ago after thorough washing though.

I just wanted advice as to whether these are the correct actions to take - I think Tarquin's problems are due to the suddenly poor condition of his water and the fact that he may be constipated as he hasn't passed anything in a very long time. Whilst im cycling the water, would it be best to leave him in the tank or remove him to the fridge? I have turned off his filter to try to de-stress him, as I will be doing daily water changes.

Apologies for the ramble, but he's never been 'sick' before and Im worried! Any advice would be much appreciated, I guess I just want to know whether I have caught the problems quick enough and that he should recover.

 

[blueberlin]

Hi Zoie,

If it is possible to put Tarquin in something other than this aquarium, that would be great. He can stay in a container with daily fresh water while the aquarium finishes cycling. You don't necessarily have to put him in the fridge if keeping him in fresh water seems to do the trick.

My guess is that if you replaced an older substrate with sand, that is what kicked off a new cycle. As I understand it, waste (ammonia) is acidic, which woud also explain the lower pH (I hope I got that right).

I wish you both good luck!

-Eva

 

[zoie]

Thank you!
If I put him in another container/tank, do I need to leave that water to cycle first? Or is it safe to just add a de-chlorinator and pop him in it afterwards? He's also quite quite active and im worried that his floating might stress him more - what is the best way to move a thrashing lotl from one tank to another?!

 

[blueberlin]

If you put him in a container of fresh dechlorinated water and replace that water with fresh dechlorinated water daily, it won't cycle (because you're always dumping it out). This is good.

You can move him by using a net or catching him in your hands or putting a container into the aquarium and gently nudging him into the container and then scooping him out. (Thanks to Havelock for that last great tip!) Whatever you do, just be gentle and he will be fine.

Are you putting him int a new aquarium or just a tub of some kind?

 

[zoie]

Im not sure at the moment - in the last hour he has started to swim realy rapidly, gulp air and then float on the top. He then tries to swim down and has to wedge himself under the filter or let out the air that he has gulped. He's really worrying me now as he is floating on the bottom with his rear end in the air. Is it time for the fridge?

 

[blueberlin]

Have you put him in fresh water yet?

 

[zoie]

No, not yet. Am I ok to put him in a large bucket?

 

[blueberlin]

Any container that is big enough to completely cover him with water (but not so much that he floats) and so that he is not bent. Then change his water daily. Feed him as usual but be sure to get any leftover food out after an hour or so (to keep the water clean). Let the aquarium finish cycling, then you can put him back into it again.

 

[Daniel]

I certainly agree with blueberlin in this case. Put the Axolotl in fresh water as fast as possible (a bucket, a tank - anything large enough!) and change the water daily.
Ammonia and Nitrite are toxic and the Axolotl has to be in clean water without these. So either you change a big part of the water in your tank or you put it in another container.
And make sure that the temperature is almost equal since high temperature fluctuations will cause more stress.

 

[zoie]

Ive put him in a smaller tank now - there is nothing in it except for de-chlorinated water. How long will he be safe in that for? Presumably if I keep changing his water dialy and leave his main tank to cycle he can stay like that for a couple of days until his water tests clear.

On a positive note, now he's in the clean water he has stopped thrashing and flicking his head as much. He does however seem to be almost bending his head to bite his tail, in a twitching movement. Is there anything I ought to do about that or will that settle too with time?

 

[blueberlin]

Yes, exactly - the other water is toxic and was "burning" him. He can stay in the fresh water as long as you keep up with daily water changes for as long as you need. Just keep measuring the water in the other tank and when ammonia and nitrite are both back to 0 you can put him back again.

 

[zoie]

Thank you both for your advice! There is no vet or experienced aquarium near me so it's really helpful to be able to talk to others with lotls! Tarquin is in another tank now, which is smaller, but he doesn't appear to be so manic and is only gulping at the surface occasionally. I shall let you know how it progresses and whether he makes it back into his tank in one piece!

 

[blueberlin]

Yes Zoie this forum has saved my axolotls' lives, too. We've all been there, I think. Please do keep us posted. I always worry about axoltols I "meet" through the forum and very much appreciate the people who come back to say "everything is fine now!"

Good luck to you both,

-Eva