Illness/Sickness: Stressed out, frantically sticking head out of water, floating axie

[whither]

We've got an axolotl that really doesn't seem well, only we don't know what to do. We've 2, one brown the other albino, both female, that my partner got a few months ago. Generally they've been well until the last few weeks.

They visited the vet as the brown one, Peanut, was doing some crazy scratching, though she seemed otherwise well. The albino, Coconut, has always been a bit more shy and calm, and had been more affected by the water weeks ago, but in recent times had been much calmer and extroverted and had a bit appetite back -- 2 days ago she was completely fine and normal. However, she's got relatively traumatized gills that aren't growing back well.

Last night, upon a vet's guidance, we gave both of them separate salt baths. Since then, the albino keeps on frantically swimming to the top, trying to keep her head above water. It'll go on like that for at least 15secs at a time. When she's done, half the time she's bloated and floating, and her tail's much redder than normal. She's either gone to use a leaf to keep her from floating up (and part to hide, maybe, though there's a bigger hidey-hole that she's not using now), or she's gone to rest beneath the current of water coming from the filter. There's some plants that she could sit on and be close to the top, though she hasn't really hung out there. Meanwhile, the brown one is totally ok.

She's been doing this on and off over the last 15hrs now, since we gave her a salt bath (25g/1L water) for less than 5mins according to the vet's instructions, as she's got some very traumatized gills at the moment. (They've already been having salt baths (1tsp/1L water) on and off over the last couple months with no poor reactions.) We've been told to alternate with antibiotics (Enrofloxacin 50mg/ml, bath's .2mL/500mL water) one day, salt bath the next. We started treatment yesterday, and she was a bit anxious in the antibiotics bath, but managed the whole 10mins and seemed calmer for it after she was back in the tank. Now, though, she's completely disinterested in food, and is either sitting still and not reacting to anything, intentionally avoiding the other one when she comes to say hi, or swimming up top like a crazy 'lotl.

I'm worried it's an oxygen thing, and that the salt bath was too much, maybe? Except that the other one got the same treatment, and is totally fine, voracious appetite, completely calm. I've read other threads, I know she's obviously stressed, but..

• How do we calm her down?
• Should we be continuing with the antibiotics/salt bath treatments? At the same amount?

Her gills are far more traumatized than the other one's, so I do think she needs the help more.

As background:
There's been a few weeks of a low-pH water environment (unsure why, have been trying to address it this whole time). The water measurements are stabilising though. We've replaced part of the filtration system, and are adding bacteria to get things back on track. Current measurements are:

• pH 6.8
• ammonia ~0.5 but we've put Seachem neutral regulator in (and bacteria - Seachem Stability)
• Last water change was Thursday and we're trying to slow that down.
• Temperature is 18ºC
• Fridging isn't a great option, as it's been impossible for us to regulate the temperature of ours (we've been trying, we can't get it over 4ºC, and it's rarely stable).

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

 

[Kaysie]

Scratching and frantic swimming are almost always indicators of poor water quality, especially when you mention they like to hang out next to the filter (where the freshest water is). Your ammonia is fairly high, and you don't mention nitrite or nitrate levels.

I would do 20% daily or every-other-day water changes and invest in a liquid reagent test kit that measures ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. You'll need to do water changes as necessary to keep these parameters in check. You don't mention how big your tank is, but you should have at least a 3 foot tank for 3 axolotls.

Using bottled bacteria is pointless, as they're not live bacteria. It's just a bottle of dead bacteria and their waste, and you don't need to be adding more waste to your tank! Read up on cycling; there are thousands of threads here about it.

Salt baths will not help with gill damage. They're really only meant as a topical treatment to fungus/parasites. Continuing to do salt baths will probably damage the gills further, especially if they're from ammonia burns (which I suspect is the case).

 

[urbanbicyclist]

Hi Kaysie,
Thanks for your suggestions, especially about the bottled bacteria, the 2 aquariums we've been to here raved about it but I'll go and read the threads you mentioned.

A quick update, after 24 hours we've stabilised the PH to 7.0, nitrite and nitrates are also zero (sorry for not mentioning that, we do have a full kit, PH and ammonia seemed to be the only 2 issues) Ammonia is still 0.25 but we're doing water changes to stay on top of that.

Both Axolotls seem much more relaxed now and the filter seems to be working more effectively and the water has also cleared up quite a bit.

We only have 2 axolotls in the 90 litre tank which is an Aqua one 620 (62 x 52 x 39cm)

D

 

[Bdyoung]

Using bottled bacteria is pointless, as they're not live bacteria. It's just a bottle of dead bacteria and their waste, and you don't need to be adding more waste to your tank! Read up on cycling; there are thousands of threads here about it.

While most bottled bacteria is useless there is one brand that works I've used it and it's proven to work. It's a bit pricey though. It's called Dr Tims one and only. It will cycle your tank almost instantly.

 

[jasper408]

The presence of ammonia without either nitrates or nitrites indicate a tank that is not cycled. The easiest way to do so is by seeding materials or better yet, filters from an already established tank.

I personally did use Tetra's Safe Start to cycle my first tank, and it was very successful. The problem is, it is not a surefire method. Some brands simply don't keep them alive, and there is also the possibility that the bacteria died during transit.

In addition to vigilant water changes and waste siphoning, you can try adding aquatic plants. These will help alleviate some of the symptoms caused by the poor water condition. Keep in mind these methods slow down the cycling process.

 

[Kaysie]

The only time bottled bacteria is legit is when it's refrigerated. Otherwise, I'm sorry, but it's just snake oil.

 

[Bdyoung]

The only time bottled bacteria is legit is when it's refrigerated. Otherwise, I'm sorry, but it's just snake oil.

Dr. Tim's is refrigerated and shipped in ice if bought online.

 

[jasper408]

The only time bottled bacteria is legit is when it's refrigerated. Otherwise, I'm sorry, but it's just snake oil.

Worked for me. I only used it because of the other testimonials as well.

 

[Kaysie]

I was unaware of Dr. Tim's. Last I looked into it, BioSpira was the only refrigerated one, and I think they quit making that. Glad to hear about other products on the market!