Axolotl in Starving

[Roy]

Hi all:
I request urgent help with my 2 year old male axolotl, since 2 weeks I noticed that stops eating properly and every time it shows more and more weak and thin. For two months I noticed that his gills deteriorated (lost their feathery) but his behavior was quite healthy. Now do not eat anything, I tried with nightcrawlers but no longer has the strength to fight with them.
He lives in a low tech planted 24 gal aquarium along with a 18-month axolotl female who is very healthy and shows no sign of illness. The plants are:
- Anubias barteri
- Elodea (Egeria densa)
- Cabomba Caroliniana
- Hornwort (Ceratophyllum Demerson)
- Echinodorus
- Java Moss (attached to a mangrove tree trunk)
The filter is a power head 480 L / h added a spray bar to minimize the water flow.
The conditions in the water are:
- PH 6.2
- Ammonia 0.02 to 0.05 ppm
- Temp. 22 ° C during the day with decreases up to 19 ° C at night (doing the best with a mini industrial fan, in Mexico it is difficult to keep the water cool enough if you do not have a cool basement!)
I am very worried about my axolotl and I'd hate to lose him, I appreciate any comments, especially if you have experience in handling sick axolotls. Thanks in advance.
P.D. Sorry for my poor english

 

[Roy]

Here I add the photos:
Picture 1: An Overview of Tank
Picture 2: Axolotl after 2 weeks of refusal to eat
Picture 3: Close Up Note the deterioration of the gills
P.S. Sorry for the picture quality!

 

[jane1187]

It may be time to consider force feeding. I believe there is a tutorial on the forum somewhere.

It is likely that the cause is an underlying illness that has resulted in loss of appetite, and thus the weight loss. The gill shrinking may also be a symptom. Unfortunately gill shrinking and loss of appetite could be caused by any number of illnesses.

Alternatively you may want to consider euthanasia if you cannot find a solution soon. If it looks like there is no hope you are best considering euthanasia to prevent his/her suffering.

 

[Kaysie]

Two weeks isn't an excessive amount of time for an axolotl to go without food.

Do you think it's possible your axolotl ingested some gravel or a rock from the bottom of the tank? This can cause impaction.

 

[Roy]

Impaction is a possibility, but yesterday I saw him puke undigested food debris, and has not submitted the odd posture or enlargement of the cloaca. Their behavior has been sluggish. I think he may have a bacterial infection. Anyone have experience handling Axolotls antibiotics?

 

[Roy]

For now I have isolated and placed him in a large container in the fridge with dechlorinated water by daily changes of 100% avoiding sudden changes in water temperature, which is maintained between 8 and 10 ° C. I read that the symptoms could be a bacterial infection. Anyone have xperience in handling antibiotics in axies?? If is the case, please give me suggestions. Thank you.