Sick Xoli (Ammonia?)

[Xoli]

Hello All,

I am hoping you guys can give me some advice/instructions on how to make Xoli healthy again. I removed the sand covering the bottom of my tank 6 days ago and didn't check water parameters until Tuesday when Xoli was showing some unusual symptoms:
1)The tail is usually almost completely translucent but on tuesday I saw some opaque (white) blotches.
2)The gills' tips were curling to the back, and the filaments were less "fluffy".
3)Flicking gills often.
4)Not as active as usual

I checked the water and realized that the ammonia levels had gone up to .5, with everything else down to zero and a ph of 7.6., temperature at 66 degrees.
I did a 25% water change and the ammonia went down to 0, but I checked it again today and it had gone back up! Maybe removing the sand and placing the slate changed the bacterial balance??

I placed X in a small bowl with fresh water and think I should just try to cycle the 10 gallon tank with the ammonia issue. But I don't quite understand the process yet.

But while that is happening should I be concerned about the cloudiness of Xoli's tail, is it fungal?? Will Xoli's gills be ok? X eats and poops, though not with as much vigor. The tail is not curled.

Please see the attached images, the first 2 were taken right after changing the substrate, and he was nice and healthy. The other 2 are Xoli today.

Please help!

 

[jeromeetabuzo]

Hello All,

I am hoping you guys can give me some advice/instructions on how to make Xoli healthy again. I removed the sand covering the bottom of my tank 6 days ago and didn't check water parameters until Tuesday when Xoli was showing some unusual symptoms:
1)The tail is usually almost completely translucent but on tuesday I saw some opaque (white) blotches.
2)The gills' tips were curling to the back, and the filaments were less "fluffy".
3)Flicking gills often.
4)Not as active as usual

I checked the water and realized that the ammonia levels had gone up to .5, with everything else down to zero and a ph of 7.6., temperature at 66 degrees.
I did a 25% water change and the ammonia went down to 0, but I checked it again today and it had gone back up! Maybe removing the sand and placing the slate changed the bacterial balance??

I placed X in a small bowl with fresh water and think I should just try to cycle the 10 gallon tank with the ammonia issue. But I don't quite understand the process yet.

But while that is happening should I be concerned about the cloudiness of Xoli's tail, is it fungal?? Will Xoli's gills be ok? X eats and poops, though not with as much vigor. The tail is not curled.

Please see the attached images, the first 2 were taken right after changing the substrate, and he was nice and healthy. The other 2 are Xoli today.

Please help!

ok so here you have to do , put out all of your decoration and stuff inside the aquarium , remove them because dirt and uneaten food or bacteria builds and hides under the decoration in your tank , so i suggest try it then off course remove your axolotl for a moment then place your axie in a separate container , once your done check the water parameters if its fine , then place back your axolotl....

 

[Xoli]

Hey Jerome,

Thanks for the advice, there might be stuff hiding in all of the decorations. I have Xoli in a separate container now, doing 100% water changes every day, and I think I am just going to let the tank cycle without him in it.
My biggest concern is his health even outside the tank, I hope he gets better just being in small container with fresh water.

 

[snuggly time]

It's hard to tell what's wrong with his tail. Perhaps he was just a little stressed from the spike in ammonia. Are you using dechlorinator when you do water changes?

 

[Xoli]

Hi Snuggly,

I do use dechlorinator, I've been using the Aqueon brand, but this weekend I hope to try other recommended brands, maybe seachem? Anyway, I think it was just stress from the ammonia, even though it never over .5 he might have been exposed too long. I am very new to this and I hate to see Xoli uncomfortable because of it. But X's still eating fine and pooping and today he seemed more responsive to his surroundings.

 

[snuggly time]

That's great, keep up updated.

I've heard good reviews on seachem. :happy:

 

[CJ1981]

Hi,

It sounds like your tank is re-cycling. Removing the sand will have removed alot of the beneficial bacteria along with it.

It isn't a problem, just keep an eye on your ammonia and do regular smallish (20-25%) water changes to keep the amminia down whilst the bacteria re grow. Keep checking under your ornaments etc for poop/dirt but don't be tempted to scrub or wash your ornaments at the moment as bacteria will be colonising the surfaces and you can't afford to lose that bacteria at the moment. Just give them a bit of a hoover with your gravel vac or siphon to get rid of any loose debris.

Xoli looks pretty healthy to me, they are phisically tough little things but do get a bit 'emotional' if their normal routine is upset and 'sulk' for want of better phrase!

As I said keep an eye on the ammonia levels in your tank and on Xoli's skin (if it turns really red for extended periods and looks 'raw' like a graze or burn or begins to peel then it could be ammonia burns in which case a tea bath may be called for) but your tank will sort it self out and so long as Xoli keeps eating and pooping I would worry too much.

 

[Xoli]

Thanks CJ,

I just wanted to give an update, Xoli is doing fine, never stopped eating or pooping and is overall responsive and "friendly" . Being new to aquaria I never new about cycling, but was lucky enough to do frequent water changes and param checks and never encountered ammonia issues. But I decided to do a full fish-less cycle on the tank while Xoli enjoys a small container with daily water changes (a vacation home, if you will).
I've never really had a pet besides a cat, needless to say Axolotls are VERY different .
Xoli's gills seem much better, and the tail is back to normal.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[Tephra]

Glad to hear he's doing better

 

[Xoli]

Here are some pics of Xoli in the smaller tank. Don't worry, there's plenty of space, a small plant and a hide. Probably still a few weeks before the tank cycles completely.

 

[snuggly time]

He looks nice and healthy, long gills :happy: