Illness/Sickness: Tumbling, twisting, erratic Axolotyl.

[dainese]

Hi guys,

First time poster.
We are pretty concerned with our axolotyl, 'Bob'.

I think there was a 50 percent water change done a day or two before it happened. But it was scary, he was tumbling and turning head down into the rocks and looked like he was out of control.
He seems to be limping around, and seems to tilt to his left side at rest.

I tested for amonia and it came to a 'mid range', pH was ok.
Added water conditioners and agers.

And the frequency in which he does this i quite sporadic. anywhere from 2-5 times a day since he has been doing it.
We have removed eveything from the tank to clean, and put Bob into a bucket in the fridge.

Here is a video of him doing it in the bucket:

We appreciate any help of ideas.

Sorry I couldn't get you any more information, because my partner is now at work. Will update as I find out.

Thanks in advanced.

Justin

 

[knifegill]

Why don't you just cycle his tank so there's 0 ammonia?

 

[dainese]

I guess its because we werent sure what to do. But needed to act and eliminate possibilities.
we suspected a million things. Bacteria, parasitical, electrical current from filter etc.

I'm guessing it too late to cycle? In any case we took him out of the tank to avoid injury.

Sent from Galaxy Tab 8.9

 

[esn]

My axolotls have only done that when entering a salt bath or after experiencing a temperature change of more than ten degrees. It looks like a shock of some sort... It seems to me that there would be something in the new water you added. Did you add enough dechlorinator? Did it change the temps drastically? Did any of the chemical content of the water supply change? The water companies change their water without telling anyone. One day everything was fine for me, the next the PH had changed by 2 points and killed all of my snails before they could adjust to it. Others may have more to say on this, but after my recent experience I suspect the chemicals in the water.

 

[Jenste]

it is never "too late to cycle".

You are now doing what is called a "fish in cycle" (google that for info)

Do daily water changes with a dechlorinator. There is no "safe range" for ammonia - anything above 0.00ppm is unhealthy. ...the higher the numbers, the more damage

 

[michel3171]

Have you figered out what it is yet?
I feel sorry for you and your Axolotl

 

[dainese]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replies. After the bucket thing, we put him back, and seemed fine for maybe a week. Then the he started again yesterday. My gf changed the water again, testing the water etc.
And he's been doing it once a day now. he wiggles to surface, then starts tilting like he can't control the direction, and tumbles all around the tank. When he does come to a rest, he either leans to the left, or looks like he has a cramp in his body or (not straight).

I am more than upset at the moment, and I am thinking of taking him to the vet. Last time I took him, it was because he wasn't eating and was very lifeless. Gave antibiotics. Bill was about $160AUD too.

Im so distraught.

Ill upload another video.

It really does appear that one side is not in sync or operational to the other side.

 

[jessicaanne]

Why is he so white underneath? Has he always been like that?

 

[dainese]

To add to this; last time he was sick it was in a suburb that we last lived at. this was only one suburb over from where we are now.

Both symptoms are different, and we might be able to attribute the first one to poor water changing issues.

We just noticed that he had this problem since we moved to this new place. Perhaps its an environmental effect?

I am researching water hardness as we speak.


And another video (its sad, so don't watch, if you don't like that kind of stuff)

Why is he so white underneath? Has he always been like that?

Yeah, supposedly so...

 

[jessicaanne]

Hmm well I'm pretty new myself so I'll just be stabbing in the dark. Perhaps he's been exposed to mid-high levels of ammonia over a period of time and now it's taking the toll on him. Otherwise this new problem could be a result of the water parameters being significantly different from where you were previously living. That's all I could think of, I hope someone more experienced is able to help you soon, poor fella