Illness/Sickness: Unusual growth and behaviour

[Bianca]

Hi all,

I've had my two axolotls for about seven years. Six months ago one passed away. Around this time I noticed that my other (white) axolotl developed a yellow mark just behind her eye. This has since developed into a red veiny wart-like growth. I do not add anything to my tank water and the pet shops I have approached have given me water purifier, which has done nothing. Since the other axolotl died she has been very quiet and has not been eating much. In addition to this, her gills and limbs are now very slow to grow back. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing any of this? Any advice would be great as I don't want my little girl to be in pain.

Thanks,

Bianca

 

[Darkmaverick]

HI Bianca,

Could you provide a photo of the growth around the eye?

What are you feeding your axie?

What are the water parameters and temperature like?

Are you housing any other animals in the same tank?

Cheers.

 

[Bellabelloo]

What happened to her legs?..

 

[Bianca]

Hi , we think the other one bit her before it died

 

[Bianca]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. She is in a 600 x 400 tank, it came divided from a pet shop, they sold us one of their old stock tanks. I had goldfish in the left side, but just axies in right side. All fish died from white spot, (two lots) and the guy at the pet shop reckons my black axie died from the tank getting too hot. Very possible during summer months. We have a big pirate ship and a log for her to hide in.
The pet shop sold me pH, nitrate and ammonia tests. Did them all and took results in, said they were fine. Told me i'm a bad parent and should put additives n stuff in, no change.
I've had her for 7 years and only ever used tap water, ive been told i've just been lucky they havn't died earlier.
I used to give her feeder fish and axie tabs, but someone told me i shouldn't use feeders because they could be carrying something. Everyone sells you something different. Just last week i bought nutrifin tropical biscuits. Since shes been on those, the feathers on her gills are starting to grow again. Her feet are slowly starting to re form again.
The pictures aren't great but i didn't want to blind her with the flash.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Hi Bianca,

1) What type of water test kit do you use? Are they the type that comes in a solution or the type that comes in dipsticks? What are your water parameter readings?

2) Heat is definitely a big axie killer. Try to keep the axie tank cool at a stable 18 degree celsius. You can always fridge the axie in warm months.

3) The pet shop isn't doing you justice. There is no need to add any other chemicals to the tank other than a good water dechlorinator when you perform water changes. To mislead you and then chide you for being a bad parent is even worse.

4) Tap water is fine with a good water dechlorinator. I use tap water too.

5) Feeder fish are fine provided you choose the appropriate type of fish and you quarantine them for 30 days minimum beforehand. Guppies and minnows are fine. The quarantine period is to ensure you don't introduce parasites and harmful bacteria into the tank.

6) I would recommend you stick to feeding axie pellets, earthworms and/or live blackworms. As long as you feed any two of these three food types as a staple even on a long term basis, your axie will get all the nutrition it needs. You can feed occasional snacks like bloodworms, bits of shrimp, fish etc. Axies have a digestive tract that of a carnivorous animal. They extract their nutrients best from insects/meat rather than from plant matter. Any type of dry pellets made up of a larage proportion of plant matter do not have all the essential nutrients an axie requires. At best, they can be occasional snacks but definitely not as staple.

7) Ensuring good nutrition, good water parameters and temperature will go a long way in helping your axie to regenerate the missing limb.

8) I don't recommend you keep goldfish with your axie (even with a tank divider). Nitrogenous waste products, parasites and diseases can all be transmitted to axies even with a tank divider. I suspect the goldfish are contributing to a high level of ammonia/nitrites that are negatively impacting on your axie.

9) Anything that you intend to add to the tank, requires a minimum of 30 days quarantine in a separate tank.

10) Your axie has an abscess underneath the eye. This abscess is caused by a a bacterial infection. It would require a vet to drain the abscess and give it a course of antibiotics.

11) Do not touch your axie with your bare hands. Transfer your axie by scooping it up in a tub. Wash your hands very thoroughly with soap and water after water changes etc. The abscess looks suspiciously like one caused by a type of bacteria called mycobacteria that can cause illness in humans.

Cheers.

 

[ianclick]

Hi Bianca,

Just on a side note, have you always kept your axolotls on the substrate shown in the photo?