WARNING, PHOTOS - Axolotl Arrived Dead :_(

[Dizzie]

Sorry for shouting a warning in my thread title, I just didn't want anyone to get blindsided with photos of my dead pet.

My axolotl traveled 3 days from the seller to arrive at my front doorstep. I retrieved the package right away after the postal worker rang the doorbell and opened the package to find it dead. I was trying to get one set up for my daughter for Christmas. Looking for a leucistic, preferably GFP, if anyone has one to sell.

Attaching photos of the poor creature along with a water test I did from the water it was shipped in. It was shipped in an insulated bag within the box and there was a melted ice pack in there with it. I wonder if it really needed the ice since temperatures have been getting down to freezing at night. But then again, I don't know the temps of postal semi-trailers and warehouses.

I really wonder whether the small 8 oz water bottle it was in caused its death from the ammonia buildup. pH was awfully low as well, at least compared to my water.

 

[AxieLover21]

if nitrate is 0 your tank isn't cycled. Maybe on xmas tell ur daughter that the tank is still getting ready but u will take her to pick an axolotl

 

[Dizzie]

if nitrate is 0 your tank isn't cycled. Maybe on xmas tell ur daughter that the tank is still getting ready but u will take her to pick an axolotl

The water I tested is the water that was in the water bottle it was shipped in. The nitrate in my tank is about 20 ppm. Also, they don't sell axolotls locally where I am.

 

[Dizzie]

I'm certainly not trying to be morbid, but I just thought I would post these photos of the deceased animal to see if anyone noticed anything unusual that could have contributed to the cause of death (see prior post for explanation).

I took it out of the water bottle and put it in the tank to see if it would revive, but it did not. Then, I laid it on paper to take these photos. Sad it had to end like this for it.