Sudden death, need to save the other!

[Nikkita]

Hi,

I've had 2 axolotls (Toothless and Astrid) for about a year and a half and when I went to feed them today I found Toothless laying dead at the bottom of the tank on his side. They were both fine last night and Astrid still seems fine now.
A few details:
- the tank temperature is set at 17-18ºC with a chiller
- there is a 10% water change once a week with API proper pH 7.5 added to the water before adding to the tank
- the last water change was yesterday
- there are no plants or other animals apart from the 2 axies
- I tested the water last week and it had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 10-20 nitrate
- I tested it again today and it had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 40-80 nitrate
- both were eating normally (fed pellets once a day), no signs of stress, gulping for air normally
- tank was cycled before I got them but then kicked out and had trouble getting it under control for the first few months
- they've always had tiny gills
- there was a planaria problem for a few months but stopped about a month ago

I read that certain chemicals can cause sudden death, and I did some cleaning with bleach and washed my hands and arms with soap before feeding the axies and doing a water change, is it possible that this could have anything to do with Toothless' death?
I'm really upset about Toothless' sudden death but I really don't want Astrid to suffer the same so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[auntiejude]

I'm sorry for your loss - a sudden death is always hard to understand.

It could have been something unpredictable and congenital like with people - aneurism, heart attack etc.

But it could have been environmental.
What dechlorinator do you use?
Is 'API proper pH 7.5' one of those pH stabiliser buffers? They are not recommended for axies - all chemicals should be avoided in an axie tank, but if you have been using it regularly it probably wasn't that.
10% water changes are not usually enough, unless you have a very large tank. 25% weekly is recommended.
Soap and bleach may have contaminted your tank - again the bigger the tank the more dilute the soap/bleach will be. It's possible your axie had a reaction to some contaminant, if you think it's a real possibility you should do a large (80-90%) water change.

I'm sorry I can't really be of more help, but without a necropsy you may neverr know the true cause of death.

 

[Sweetie]

I totally agree with everything Auntie Jude says. So very sorry for your loss, but do try not to torture yourself with questions that are probably unanswerable without an autopsy. Do a major water change (80-90% as Auntie Jude suggests) for your own peace of mind if you think there is any chance of contamination, especially with bleach.

 

[Nikkita]

Thank you both, it's so difficult not to get over paranoid about my other boy.
I've done a large change now and actually calculated the bucket I use for changes and it is about 25%.
Regarding the api proper pH 7.5 the label says "Sets and holds pH to 7.5. Resists pH rebound. Also removes chlorine, neutralises chloramines, adds electrolytes and detoxifies heavy metals in freshwater aquariums". Do you know if this could have had an affect on my axies over time? I use this powder as the pH of my tap water is around 8.2.
Thank you so much for the advice, I'm thinking it was congenital as I've been keeping an eye on my other boy who still seems quite normal.

 

[Sweetie]

I have no personal experience with the product but from the sound of the label, I do not think it would have harmed the axies.