Axolotl Lost Blood - HELP

[Sassefras]

Hi all,


I've had two axis in the same tank for a few years now. They're kept in a 200 L tank. Thev've been doing just fine for the past few years. I feed them earth worms, change water weekly or bi-weekly, do regular water quality checks, and try to keep the water cool with a fan when it's warm outside.

One of them (Newt) has some pretty clumsy external blood vessels hanging around his bottom gills, which sometimes bleed when he moves abruptly (usually when feeding). This has happened maybe a handful of times over the years.

Yesterday morning, a conflict arose between the two over an earth worm, and our second axi sort of bit Newt, which caused his gill/blood vessel to bleed. As usual, bleeding stopped after a few minutes. I decided to continue feeding in the evening. In the evening during feeding, Newt's gill again started bleeding. He finished his worm and again, after a few minutes, bleeding had seized.

In the hours after, Newt was active, swimming/walking around, typical axolotl behaviour.

This morning, I found him motionless, on his side, and unresponsive. His gills have changed color from the usual red/orange to almost white. See attached picture. As you can see, his gills are colorless, but there's still some 'red' in his body.

There is no ammonia or nitrites in the water (just tested). The other axolotl is acting as usual. I fear that Newt has lost more blood overnight.

For now, I've fridged him. I've seen him move his gills in the typical fashion, but otherwise, he's unresponsive. Anything I can do?

Thanks.

UPDATE: He has passed. Not sure whether there's anything that could have been done after I found him. Ideas are welcome.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Sorry for your loss. When given a blood vessel like Newt had, really all you can do is pretty much monitor to make certain there's no nipping happening. It's possible Newt could have even been anemic but I don't wish to diagnose.