Axolotl less lively, seeking to gulp air. HELP!

RaraAivsLove

RaraAivsLove

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I am not a very educated axolotl owner. I am hoping joining this sight I can learn a thing or two more.

My poor little guy Blade who was given to me as an adult has just not been himself of late and I'm very worried he will die.

I thought his problem was constipation as yes I over fed him. (I know now to feed adult axies 2-3 a week) This is how it started though:

I notice he was laying side ways and trying desperately to swim up to the top to gulp air. After researching online a bit I decided he might be constipated. I set up a separate shallow water tank for him to stay in so he could get air. I thought his gulping was to help ease his constipation--I thought I read somewhere that it helps.

In the meantime I did a 50% water change to the tank and made sure the PH and nitrate levels were at a safe zone--they are. I've ensured that there is plenty of oxygen in the water as I have two bubbles going and a gentle flow filter. He has very fine aquatic sand as his substrate as I know gravel or other objects can cause impaction when accidentally sucked in during feeding. There are fake plants and a hiding pvc pipe and one skull decoration--that he's never hurt himself on before.

I investigated his appearance, he is a dark colored axie. His gills appear healthy and normal--no white fuzzies or dis colorization so I don't suspect fungus--however they are curled forward. His under chin and throat does appear to be more paler/whiter than normal. He also appears to holding an air bubble in his mouth as he sits with it slightly ajar. I see no injuries or patches of fungus anywhere along his body.

After learning that putting axolotls in the fridge can be helpful I wrapped his shallow watered tank in a towel and kept him in one over night. The next day there was lots of poop, I kept him in over night again just to make sure he was all done pooping.

When I took him out the next day he seemed very lively and I thought he was ready to return. I waited for his shallow water tank to adjust to the room's temperature before putting him back into his regular tank and he was in all night.

Today I decided to feed him as it had been almost 5 days since his last feeding and he did poop for me the first night in the fridge. I found him sideways and when I bumped him--to see if he was alive--he very weakly tried to swim to the top. I guided him there and he took a big gulp of air! I then tried to see if he would eat. I held the food in front of him and he did take it, but he is still having trouble swimming. I'm concerned he is not getting enough oxygen but I don't know how that is possible--or worse that he is impacted.

I'm not sure what else to do at this point to help him. :< Can anyone give me some advice???
 
Have you tested your tank for ammonia and nitrite? And what temperature is the water?
 
RaraAivsLove said:
I am not a very educated axolotl owner. I am hoping joining this sight I can learn a thing or two more.

My poor little guy Blade who was given to me as an adult has just not been himself of late and I'm very worried he will die.

I thought his problem was constipation as yes I over fed him. (I know now to feed adult axies 2-3 a week) This is how it started though:

I notice he was laying side ways and trying desperately to swim up to the top to gulp air. After researching online a bit I decided he might be constipated. I set up a separate shallow water tank for him to stay in so he could get air. I thought his gulping was to help ease his constipation--I thought I read somewhere that it helps.

In the meantime I did a 50% water change to the tank and made sure the PH and nitrate levels were at a safe zone--they are. I've ensured that there is plenty of oxygen in the water as I have two bubbles going and a gentle flow filter. He has very fine aquatic sand as his substrate as I know gravel or other objects can cause impaction when accidentally sucked in during feeding. There are fake plants and a hiding pvc pipe and one skull decoration--that he's never hurt himself on before.

I investigated his appearance, he is a dark colored axie. His gills appear healthy and normal--no white fuzzies or dis colorization so I don't suspect fungus--however they are curled forward. His under chin and throat does appear to be more paler/whiter than normal. He also appears to holding an air bubble in his mouth as he sits with it slightly ajar. I see no injuries or patches of fungus anywhere along his body.

After learning that putting axolotls in the fridge can be helpful I wrapped his shallow watered tank in a towel and kept him in one over night. The next day there was lots of poop, I kept him in over night again just to make sure he was all done pooping.

When I took him out the next day he seemed very lively and I thought he was ready to return. I waited for his shallow water tank to adjust to the room's temperature before putting him back into his regular tank and he was in all night.

Today I decided to feed him as it had been almost 5 days since his last feeding and he did poop for me the first night in the fridge. I found him sideways and when I bumped him--to see if he was alive--he very weakly tried to swim to the top. I guided him there and he took a big gulp of air! I then tried to see if he would eat. I held the food in front of him and he did take it, but he is still having trouble swimming. I'm concerned he is not getting enough oxygen but I don't know how that is possible--or worse that he is impacted.

I'm not sure what else to do at this point to help him. :< Can anyone give me some advice???
Click to expand...
Okay, first things first.
what are your parameters?
ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?
Ph?
High range ph?
temperature?
And finally, dechlorinator?
was your tank cycled before hand?
i would order repashy grub pie. If he is indeed impacted, it helps get things moving.
 
I have these test strips for checking the water
Binditheaxolotl said:
Okay, first things first.
what are your parameters?
ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?
Ph?
High range ph?
temperature?
And finally, dechlorinator?
was your tank cycled before hand?
i would order repashy grub pie. If he is indeed impacted, it helps get things moving.
Click to expand...
I have these test strips for the water.
I don't see ammonia listed
NO3 is about 80
NO2 is 0
pH is looks between 7.5 and 8
temperature is abotu 75 F.

I'm not sure what you mean by dechlorinator. :S

There was an earlier cycle change of about 20% I did about 5 days before I noticed his behavior change and did the 50%.
 
I put him back in the shallow tank and fridge last night also. Hoping whatever is going on slows down while we try to figure it out.

I did just check on him also. He is gulping for air still, but swimming around more lively.
 
This sounds like a nitrate issue.

For one, 80 nitrate is way too much.
Even more, you did a 50% water change lately and the nitrates are still 80? That basically indicates nitrates used to be even higher.
Anything above 40 can be harmful to the axolotl.

I'm a bit confused though, since in your opening post you said you recently tested and "made sure the PH and nitrate levels were at a safe zone--they are" - so where did you suddenly get such high nitrate levels?

Breathing issues, cramps and general stress are all results of nitrate poisoning, which seems consistent with the symptoms of your axolotl.

The good news would be that lowering nitrates is very simple: just do water changes.
The bad news is that... you did? And it's still so high? Something does not add up there.


Other things that have me worried are that you seemingly have never tested ammonia before and do not know if the tank is cycled?
It looks like your tank is cycled, but not by conscious effort, so that might have just been luck.

Also, not knowing about dechlorinator is quite dangerous. Some of us are lucky and don't need it (like me, maybe you included) - but most people do. For most people, their tap water needs to be dechlorinated or it'll be very harmful to the axolotl.


The tub in the fridge he's currently in - is that filled with tap or aquarium water? What are the water parameters on that?
 
Last edited:
Murk said:
This sounds like a nitrate issue.

For one, 80 nitrate is way to much.
Even more, you did a 50% water change lately and the nitrates are still 80? That basically indicates nitrates used to be even higher.
Anything above 40 can be harmful to the axolotl.

I'm a bit confused though, since in your opening post you said you recently tested and "made sure the PH and nitrate levels were at a safe zone--they are" - so where did you suddenly get such high nitrate levels?

Breathing issues, cramps and general stress are all results of nitrate poisoning, which seems consistent with the symptoms of your axolotl.

The good news would be that lowering nitrates is very simple: just do water changes.
The bad news is that... you did? And it's still so high? Something does not add up there.


Other things that have me worried are that you seemingly have never tested ammonia before and do not know if the tank is cycled?
It looks like your tank is cycled, but not by conscious effort, so that might have just been luck.

Also, not knowing about dechlorinator is quite dangerous. Some of us are lucky and don't need it (like me, maybe you included) - but most people do. For most people, their tap water needs to be dechlorinated or it'll be very harmful to the axolotl.


The tub in the fridge he's currently in - is that filled with tap or aquarium water? What are the water parameters on that?
Click to expand...
Well now I know it wasn't safe/ :<

Dechlorinate, is that referring to how hard the water is?

The water in his fridge tank is from the main tank, I didn't want him to be shocked any further with a vastly different water both in levels and temperature.
 
RaraAivsLove said:
Well now I know it wasn't safe/ :<

Dechlorinate, is that referring to how hard the water is?
Click to expand...
No, chlorine is a very harmful chemical in all water, or most. You need to get Seachem prime immediately. Also, 75 is much to high, axolotls have a heatstroke at 74. The highest their tank can be is 68
 
Binditheaxolotl said:
No, chlorine is a very harmful chemical in all water, or most. You need to get Seachem prime immediately. Also, 75 is much to high, axolotls have a heatstroke at 74. The highest their tank can be is 68
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I live in an apartment that runs very hot. It's in a an old downtown building and I have an a/c unit but it still runs around 80 degrees. :< Is there anything I can get to keep a tank cooler?

I am doing another 50% water change and using bottled distilled water by the gallon from the store. I hope that using this kind will stream line the process of getting acceptable nitrate levels.

Also is dechlorinate have to do with how hard the water is? I suspect that this building water is very hard.
 
RaraAivsLove said:
Unfortunately I live in an apartment that runs very hot. It's in a an old downtown building and I have an a/c unit but it still runs around 80 degrees. :< Is there anything I can get to keep a tank cooler?

I am doing another 50% water change and using bottled distilled water by the gallon from the store. I hope that using this kind will stream line the process of getting acceptable nitrate levels.

Also is dechlorinate have to do with how hard the water is? I suspect that this building water is very hard.
Click to expand...
Had water is super good for axolotls. Yep! You can get a chiller, or a Aquarium fans. Aquarium fans won’t be enough though. So u can either use frozen water bottles and switch them out every hour, or you can buy a chiller. A 150 watt will be good for a 20 gallon. Nope, it doesn’t have to do with it at all. You need to get dechlorinator ASAP though.
 
Binditheaxolotl said:
Had water is super good for axolotls. Yep! You can get a chiller, or a Aquarium fans. Aquarium fans won’t be enough though. So u can either use frozen water bottles and switch them out every hour, or you can buy a chiller. A 150 watt will be good for a 20 gallon. Nope, it doesn’t have to do with it at all. You need to get dechlorinator ASAP though.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for helping me out and for being graceful with my ignorance.

I've decided to try and be on the safe side and do a 75% water change over. Luckily living down town I'm a stones throw from the bizarre pet store. I will go down and buy a bottle of dechlorinator and see if they have a chiller in stock.

I'll post updates later this evening.
 
Solid action!

Just to explain the dechlorinator: at most places, tab water is treated with chlorine (or similar) to make it more clean. Chlorine kills most small organisms, so it makes tab water safe to use and drink. So that's good for you.
It's also pretty bad for aquarium creatures, so if your tab water has chlorine in it you need to "dechlorinate".

There are places where tab water is safe-to-use. Maybe you're lucky and you don't need dechlorinator. But it's something to look into.


Regarding temperature, if you can chill that would be great.
I will slightly disagree with Bindi in that higher temperatures are immediately lethal (I've had tank water up to 80F for short times during heat waves) - but it's definitely not healthy.
An even bigger problem is that higher temperatures only reinforce the effects of ammonia and nitrates. If you would have a perfectly clean, healthy tank, high temperatures are far less harmful. Since you don't, chilling the water will help a lot.


I'm super impressed with your quick action, though!
 
Murk said:
Solid action!

Just to explain the dechlorinator: at most places, tab water is treated with chlorine (or similar) to make it more clean. Chlorine kills most small organisms, so it makes tab water safe to use and drink. So that's good for you.
It's also pretty bad for aquarium creatures, so if your tab water has chlorine in it you need to "dechlorinate".

There are places where tab water is safe-to-use. Maybe you're lucky and you don't need dechlorinator. But it's something to look into.


Regarding temperature, if you can chill that would be great.
I will slightly disagree with Bindi in that higher temperatures are immediately lethal (I've had tank water up to 80F for short times during heat waves) - but it's definitely not healthy.
An even bigger problem is that higher temperatures only reinforce the effects of ammonia and nitrates. If you would have a perfectly clean, healthy tank, high temperatures are far less harmful. Since you don't, chilling the water will help a lot.


I'm super impressed with your quick action, though!
Click to expand...
Well thank you I am trying my best to save this little guy. He is the coolest pet I've ever had and I happened upon him by chance. My coworker's niece used to own him about 2 years ago, but she told me her niece wasn't very good at feeding and changing his water so they were looking to re-home him. I took him thinking it would be better than being stuck in a small tank in a corner of the room forgotten.

Unfortunately I'm not a very educated owner. I'm so grateful to have found this site and you all to talk to for help.

The guy I just spoke with at the pet store says our city doesn't use chlorine in the water. I live in a SUPER old downtown building apartment though so maybe some of the older equipment effects it regardless of there being chlorine or not from the city's end? Regardless I think I've got a plan in place to manage it from now on.
 
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I've done the 75% water change and added dechlorinator. My NO2 and NO3 both read zero now. I have 4 Gatorade sized bottle in the freezer getting ready to use in the tank to cool it down for now.

The shop didn't have a chiller though so I think I'll order one online. Can anyone recommend a good chiller for 20 gallon tank (long not deep)??
 
UPDATE:

The temperature now in his home tank with the water bottle is about 75 degrees F.

He has stopped gulping for air in his fridge tank. I took him out earlier so his fridge tank can adjust in temperature. His home tank read 0 on both NO2 and NO3 still. With his fridge tank being the same temperature as his home and hopefully with the NO3 under control I placed him back in. He is lively, but also his gills are flapping. Is he doing that because he is trying to still breath through them and he's not getting enough oxygen??
 
UPDATE:

His home tank is now 75 degrees with the help of frozen water bottles and NO2 and NO3 both read 0.

I took him out of the fridge earlier for his tank to adjust in temperature. Once done I put him in his home tank. He is more lively and does not appear to be holding a bubble in his mouth or seeking to gulp air. Although once in the home tank his gills immediately started flapping.

Is this because he still is trying to breath through his gills and is not receiving enough oxygen??
 
RaraAivsLove said:
UPDATE:

His home tank is now 75 degrees with the help of frozen water bottles and NO2 and NO3 both read 0.

I took him out of the fridge earlier for his tank to adjust in temperature. Once done I put him in his home tank. He is more lively and does not appear to be holding a bubble in his mouth or seeking to gulp air. Although once in the home tank his gills immediately started flapping.

Is this because he still is trying to breath through his gills and is not receiving enough oxygen??
Click to expand...
The gill flapping is From the temperature. You need to get it below 68, maybe use 3-5 frozen water bottles at a time.
 
Binditheaxolotl said:
The gill flapping is From the temperature. You need to get it below 68, maybe use 3-5 frozen water bottles at a time.
Click to expand...
We've managed to get it down to 70 and continuing to swap out frozen bottles. It should be closer to 68 soon. :)

He is so much more lively and exploring the new hiding place I put in as a treat for his return into his home.

blade hiding.jpg
 
Okay so I read through but still some questions

Are you using Tap or Distilled water now?
Are you using a fan on the tank in addition to the frozen water bottles?

Are you planning to buy a proper accurate test kit such as a freshwater master test kit?
 
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