Stressed and thin HELP!

:mad: i dont know how to get my pics to work. ive been at it for ages... i think i am computer stupid. anyway, axie is now in the fridge, as mortified as i am to leave him in there, it is so bizarre! putting a live animal in the fridge... the pic above is of the white spots on his tail, but they dont look like fungus to me, more like silvery colouring.

is it normal for his viens to be showing up very red? he was like this when i got him. also, where his gills are gone, there are reddish dots like tiny wounds but i couldnt be sure.

i really dont know what im doing! any help or advice on what could be wrong with him would be great!
 
Hi Arwen - it worked the first time using the Manage Attachments button. If you're having problems uploading them from your computer it could be that the images may be a bit large and might need compressing.

His veins are probably showing due to temperature and the fact he's not very well. As for gills they will eventually regrow, he will just need a lot of patience and care. What colour are his eyes dark or pinkish?

The fridge is the best place for an axolotl when they're stressed or sick. They prefer colder temperatures rather than warm. This slows down their metabolism and gives them a chance to heal.

Leave him in the fridge for a few days and see how he goes - apart from waterchanging make sure to pop him straight back in the fridge. Some owners who haven't been able to maintain constant cool temperatures below 20C in Australia have fridged their axolotls for the summer months. One of ours lived in the weeks for 3.5 weeks when it was sick; and even then didn't go back into the tank until she was able to eat properly (which was another 4 weeks on).
 
update...

Ok, so axie has been in the fridge for probably about 18 hours. The absolute worst thing happened though, the fridge was right on 5degreesC so i turned it up a little which actually turned out to be down so he spent about 8 hours at 3degreesC! I was so upset about it this morning when i changed his water and checked the thermometer, but all is well now as he is actually looking good and moving about and the temp thing has been fixed. It's now just over, around 8 but I'm keeping an eye on it for today. He still hasnt eaten, I'm trying earthworms. Has anyone got any ideas on how i might get him to eat????? They would be much appreciated, as I don't know the last time he ate and I'm pretty worried with him being so little.

His eyes are white/pink.

His skin looks much much better today, and I even think the veins aren't so red today.
 
Glad to hear he is doing better! What did the other people feed him? If it were me I would leave him alone till tomorrow and try again. Do still have him in the fridge?
 
it was a pet store and they said he was eating bloodworms, which i have also tried. yes he is still in the fridge and i plan on leaving him there for another day or two, and then checking here on what i should do then... i would like to eventually put him in the large tank with my girl, but am worried about him passing something onto her... what do people think about this? how long should i wait before introducing him to the same tank as the female (if i even should)?
 
As he's a new edition, like any new companions, he needs to be kept separated/quarantined for 30 days minimum, this will ensure that any new editions don't make your other axolotls sick if they do start showing signs of stress or unknown illness due to lack of previous proper care etc...

The colour of the eyes you mentioned - he's an albino axie. The spots are probably colouration which is more noticeable on golden albinoes (showing up as white spots/pigment on a goldy/yellow skin).

As for feeding, probably leave it for another day or so, you could try and leave a live worm in the tub with him. Our juveniles (under 12cm) would eat while in the fridge at 7-8C temperature, but our adults don't.
 
further update...

axie is looking much better. there have been no more floating instances and he spends his time mostly in his cave which i put in the tank for him. he is therefore out of the fridge and i have managed to keep his temp below 20C. He still has not eaten, but yesterday i put in some bloodworms and he seems to be tasting the blood that floated out to his mouth, so i take this as a sign of partial interest in food, even though he has not actually eaten.

any suggestions in getting him to eat????? these would be much appreciated!!!
 
the only thing i would try is to keep putting live food in like bloodworm or earthworms. Keep an eye on your axie to see if it eats it. If it wants to eat then it will and a nice wriggly worm might encourage it, but don't leave the food in for long as it will foul the water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top