Stressed Axolotl?????

[Ninai127]

Hi!! Help - I got pickle a few months ago, and overall he has been doing very well. But yesterday I cycled his water and ever since I think he’s stressed - his gills are more forward than ever. He did eat some blood worms yesterday but I’m just worried.

his tank parameters are the following:
Nitrate: 40-80ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
pH: 7.0
KH: 80ppm
GH: 180ppm

please help!! I don’t know what to do!!

 

[Ninai127]

I forgot to mention his tank is at 64°F

 

[Calgarycoppers]

First please buy an API freshwater master test kit and do not use the strips they are extremely inaccurate

Next do an immediate 75% water change with the nitrate findings.

What do you mean you cycled the tank yesterday ? how?

 

[Ninai127]

First please buy an API freshwater master test kit and do not use the strips they are extremely inaccurate

Next do an immediate 75% water change with the nitrate findings.

What do you mean you cycled the tank yesterday ? how?

Okay that’s helpful, I’ve been using the strips.
yesterday I removed about 40-50% of the old tank water and replaced it with new water. The new water is tap water that I condition with “Tetra aquasafe”

 

[DragoTheAxie]

I see you have a lot of uneaten bloodworms in the tank which could cause ammonia spikes and stress him out. Especially if you don't clean out all the bloodworms when you do water changes.

 

[Ninai127]

I see you have a lot of uneaten bloodworms in the tank which could cause ammonia spikes and stress him out. Especially if you don't clean out all the bloodworms when you do water changes.

I cleaned out his tank after posting this and did a water change and he appears to be doing a lot better - thanks!