Axolotl not eating, gills shrinking, constantly freaking out

[Chak]

I have many many axolotls, for about a year now. They've all been fine. Except, I recently got an axolotl from a friend and his gills were short even then but they grew longer and he was doing fine. Now his gills are getting worryingly short, he's been refusing any food, and he always freaks out in the tub we put him in (temporarily. He was really small when we got him). His tail is shredded, I'm assuming from him freaking out so often. He's in a big enough tub, the temperature is fine, I'm just not sure what's going on. My first thought was poor water quality but none of the other tubbed axolotls are acting like he is... it's really concerning me, especially since he's a really rare guy and he is a gift. Please help.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

I have many many axolotls, for about a year now. They've all been fine. Except, I recently got an axolotl from a friend and his gills were short even then but they grew longer and he was doing fine. Now his gills are getting worryingly short, he's been refusing any food, and he always freaks out in the tub we put him in (temporarily. He was really small when we got him). His tail is shredded, I'm assuming from him freaking out so often. He's in a big enough tub, the temperature is fine, I'm just not sure what's going on. My first thought was poor water quality but none of the other tubbed axolotls are acting like he is... it's really concerning me, especially since he's a really rare guy and he is a gift. Please help.
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It definitely looks like he's been a little beat up. Sometimes they will do that to themselves when they thrash around.
How many axolotls do you have and in what size tank?
What exactly are your water parameters? (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, temp)
What chemicals are you using to treat the water? Water conditioners, ect.
What are you feeding them? how much and how often?

 

[Chak]

It definitely looks like he's been a little beat up. Sometimes they will do that to themselves when they thrash around.
How many axolotls do you have and in what size tank?
What exactly are your water parameters? (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, temp)
What chemicals are you using to treat the water? Water conditioners, ect.
What are you feeding them? how much and how often?

He's not with any other axolotls, but I have two adults in a twenty gallon, two juveniles in a ten (I will move them up here soon, they're getting bigger).
The water parameters in all the tanks and the tub we're keeping him in are fine. I couldn't tell you the exact water parameters, but they were surprisingly well. That's why I was confused of his behavior. I can check his water again for you and tell you the exact water parameters.
We use the aquasafe water dechlorinator.
He's fed quite a bit of blackworms twice a day. We've tried earthworms but he isn't interested.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

He's not with any other axolotls, but I have two adults in a twenty gallon, two juveniles in a ten (I will move them up here soon, they're getting bigger).
The water parameters in all the tanks and the tub we're keeping him in are fine. I couldn't tell you the exact water parameters, but they were surprisingly well. That's why I was confused of his behavior. I can check his water again for you and tell you the exact water parameters.
We use the aquasafe water dechlorinator.
He's fed quite a bit of blackworms twice a day. We've tried earthworms but he isn't interested.

The only caution I have with the aquasafe dechloinator is that is does contain slime coat additives, some of which can be toxic to axololts. Your others may not be affected because they are used to is, but he may not be since he is new. Prime by Seachem is the only conditioner i recomend or use for this very reason. Im not saying thats for sure the problem, but it could be a factor.

Exact water parameter readings would be helpful.

keep trying to transition him to the earthworms. He may have to go a few days with no food before he is willing, but if you keep giving him blackworms, he'll never get used to eating anything else and blackworms arent the best for them. Blackworms can also carry parasites.

 

[Chak]

The only caution I have with the aquasafe dechloinator is that is does contain slime coat additives, some of which can be toxic to axololts. Your others may not be affected because they are used to is, but he may not be since he is new. Prime by Seachem is the only conditioner i recomend or use for this very reason. Im not saying thats for sure the problem, but it could be a factor.

Exact water parameter readings would be helpful.

keep trying to transition him to the earthworms. He may have to go a few days with no food before he is willing, but if you keep giving him blackworms, he'll never get used to eating anything else and blackworms arent the best for them. Blackworms can also carry parasites.

Alrighty! Thank you so much! I'll get the exact water parameters here in a minute.

 

[Chak]

The only caution I have with the aquasafe dechloinator is that is does contain slime coat additives, some of which can be toxic to axololts. Your others may not be affected because they are used to is, but he may not be since he is new. Prime by Seachem is the only conditioner i recomend or use for this very reason. Im not saying thats for sure the problem, but it could be a factor.

Exact water parameter readings would be helpful.

keep trying to transition him to the earthworms. He may have to go a few days with no food before he is willing, but if you keep giving him blackworms, he'll never get used to eating anything else and blackworms arent the best for them. Blackworms can also carry parasites.

Apologies, I thought I sent it to you that day but I suppose not? Anyways, on that day the water parameters were:

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

not sure if that's what you were looking for, or if that's helpful in any sense. We do daily water changes for his tub.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Apologies, I thought I sent it to you that day but I suppose not? Anyways, on that day the water parameters were:

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

not sure if that's what you were looking for, or if that's helpful in any sense. We do daily water changes for his tub.

Water parameters look pretty good. Just really watch your ammonia. Have his gills improved at all?

 

[Chak]

Water parameters look pretty good. Just really watch your ammonia. Have his gills improved at all?

Yes! They've improved a bit. Gotten a tad bit longer, his tail is doing better too. He's stopped freaking out constantly.

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Yes! They've improved a bit. Gotten a tad bit longer, his tail is doing better too. He's stopped freaking out constantly.

thats good. Im glad he has calmed down and seems to be improving.

 

[EllieWind]

Apologies, I thought I sent it to you that day but I suppose not? Anyways, on that day the water parameters were:

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

not sure if that's what you were looking for, or if that's helpful in any sense. We do daily water changes for his tub.

Just thought I'd interject a little here.
If you have any traces of ammonia and no nitrates then your tank isn't cycled. Even the tiniest bit of ammonia can impact axolotls.

 

[Chak]

Just thought I'd interject a little here.
If you have any traces of ammonia and no nitrates then your tank isn't cycled. Even the tiniest bit of ammonia can impact axolotls.

Not a tank. Those levels were right before I changed his water. Probably not the best idea but I wasn't thinking.

 

[Chak]

I know this is a dead forum but he's been gettin' better! I was really worried he was morphing or something, but he's put on some more weight and his gills are looking way better.

 

[axolotl nerd]

cute! and horray!

 

[EasternRomioi3]

Aw, so glad he's doing well.