Axolotl turning GREEN? (PLEASE HELP)

[goblinman]

I rescued a pair of lotls 3 weeks back.
Female leucistic with glow genes and a Male,, I believe melanoid.

3 weeks ago both of their gills were sparse and they were eating less. I know my water isn’t perfect rn but I’m changing 30-50% of the water at least every 48 hours, if not 24 or less, with Seachem prime and the conditions appear to be stabilizing.
I originally used the water they came with, which may have been a mistake.

3 weeks ago/previous owner water: ammonia-.5, nitrites- 0, nitrates- 160+, pH- 8.4
Current water: ammonia- .25, nitrites- 0, nitrates- 20, pH- 6.6
Nitrates went down steadily, pH lowered over a week, ammonia has not been over .5 and frequently dips to 0, depending on how much they’ve pooped.
Someone told me my nitrogen cycle was probably broken but I’ve heard from a couple places that you can cycle the tank with them in the water if you change the water daily and use a seachem as a detoxifier.
I’m also getting some crushed coral to stabilize the pH.
Someone tell me if I’m doing this wrong... and what I should change. I’m really trying.
I’m considering tubbing her for a week or so and see what that does.


She knocked down a couple decorations the night that her hand turned green, I don’t know if it’s bruised or if maybe her boyfriend nipped her? I’ve not seen one turn green like this and other forums aren’t very helpful.
They’ve both been regrowing gills, they look much fuller than before and hers aren’t super nubby anymore, she’s getting pointed tips now, but today she has a little white dot on one of her gills. It’s not fuzzy, it’s raised but smooth, and right along where the top of her gill was 3 weeks ago.

she’s acting fine, as far as I can tell, her gills aren’t curled, she’s not swimming frantically or gulping for air, they’re both eating great, more than they were when they got here. About 1 or 1.5 earthworms or red wigglers a day. The male isn’t showing any stress signs and I can’t see any physical ailments, other than some flared gills for a few minutes when we accidentally scare him, he seems much shyer than the girl.

Does anyone know why her arm is green??!
Does she have fungus on her gills?
Is there anything more I should be doing? I’m losing sleep over this. Sorry if the post is scattered. Thank you so much for any help.

she has glow genes so she has sightly green skin on her hands and tail anyway, but not patches like this.
Images of her hand specifically were taken yesterday, pics of gills were today.

 

[Styx&Ling]

It looks like she bruised the leg. And its hard to tell if she has a fungus cuz its so small, but keep a eye on it if it gets any bigger I'd say its couse for concern.

 

[AMurry24537]

Just noticing that your ph might be a little too low now, axolotls prefer slightly harder water and higher ph, I believe around 7.6

Seachem sells a variety of products that can work together to help regulate ph. I live in an area with extremely hard water and high ph, but I just need the one Regulator.

 

[goblinman]

Just noticing that your ph might be a little too low now, axolotls prefer slightly harder water and higher ph, I believe around 7.6

Seachem sells a variety of products that can work together to help regulate ph. I live in an area with extremely hard water and high ph, but I just need the one Regulator.

Thank you! I know my pH is low, I’m getting some crushed coral today for the nitrates and pH.

 

[goblinman]

It looks like she bruised the leg. And its hard to tell if she has a fungus cuz its so small, but keep a eye on it if it gets any bigger I'd say its couse for concern.

Thank you so much! It’s already looking less green today. It was just a very alarming color. I’m keeping an eye on the spot and I’m getting ready to purchase extra anti fungal so I’m well prepared. Thanks again

 

[Styx&Ling]

You're welcome! Hope she feels better!

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

I rescued a pair of lotls 3 weeks back.
Female leucistic with glow genes and a Male,, I believe melanoid.

3 weeks ago both of their gills were sparse and they were eating less. I know my water isn’t perfect rn but I’m changing 30-50% of the water at least every 48 hours, if not 24 or less, with Seachem prime and the conditions appear to be stabilizing.
I originally used the water they came with, which may have been a mistake.

3 weeks ago/previous owner water: ammonia-.5, nitrites- 0, nitrates- 160+, pH- 8.4
Current water: ammonia- .25, nitrites- 0, nitrates- 20, pH- 6.6
Nitrates went down steadily, pH lowered over a week, ammonia has not been over .5 and frequently dips to 0, depending on how much they’ve pooped.
Someone told me my nitrogen cycle was probably broken but I’ve heard from a couple places that you can cycle the tank with them in the water if you change the water daily and use a seachem as a detoxifier.
I’m also getting some crushed coral to stabilize the pH.
Someone tell me if I’m doing this wrong... and what I should change. I’m really trying.
I’m considering tubbing her for a week or so and see what that does.


She knocked down a couple decorations the night that her hand turned green, I don’t know if it’s bruised or if maybe her boyfriend nipped her? I’ve not seen one turn green like this and other forums aren’t very helpful.
They’ve both been regrowing gills, they look much fuller than before and hers aren’t super nubby anymore, she’s getting pointed tips now, but today she has a little white dot on one of her gills. It’s not fuzzy, it’s raised but smooth, and right along where the top of her gill was 3 weeks ago.

she’s acting fine, as far as I can tell, her gills aren’t curled, she’s not swimming frantically or gulping for air, they’re both eating great, more than they were when they got here. About 1 or 1.5 earthworms or red wigglers a day. The male isn’t showing any stress signs and I can’t see any physical ailments, other than some flared gills for a few minutes when we accidentally scare him, he seems much shyer than the girl.

Does anyone know why her arm is green??!
Does she have fungus on her gills?
Is there anything more I should be doing? I’m losing sleep over this. Sorry if the post is scattered. Thank you so much for any help.

she has glow genes so she has sightly green skin on her hands and tail anyway, but not patches like this.
Images of her hand specifically were taken yesterday, pics of gills were today.

Any update on her? How is her leg looking?

 

[goblinman]

Any update on her? How is her leg looking?

Hi sorry for getting back so late! But good news! Rather than a bruise, I believe she lost that limb before we got her; the whole leg and foot/bone structure is shorter than her other ones. Some days it’s more green and some days it’s paler, I assume the pigment could return to normal one day.
The spot on her gill has not changed and their gills are growing more, including the one w the spot.
They’re both doing well! Eating all the time and getting bigger already somehow.
My water is also stabilizing and there’s not any ammonia anymore and I change the water slightly less frequently.
The male is leaving sperms around every couple days now too haha
We’re planning a move to a larger tank shortly (and safely) where we’ll likely separate them until we have more time for babies after this semester

 

[GulfCoastAxolotls]

Hi sorry for getting back so late! But good news! Rather than a bruise, I believe she lost that limb before we got her; the whole leg and foot/bone structure is shorter than her other ones. Some days it’s more green and some days it’s paler, I assume the pigment could return to normal one day.
The spot on her gill has not changed and their gills are growing more, including the one w the spot.
They’re both doing well! Eating all the time and getting bigger already somehow.
My water is also stabilizing and there’s not any ammonia anymore and I change the water slightly less frequently.
The male is leaving sperms around every couple days now too haha
We’re planning a move to a larger tank shortly (and safely) where we’ll likely separate them until we have more time for babies after this semester

Im glad they are both doing well and are growing!

As a thought, if you do not have the intention of breeding them responsibly, please separate them. It is really stressful on the female otherwise. Generally, females should not lay eggs more than about twice a year without it being a health concern.

If you are intending on letting them breed just for the fun of it, keep in mind axolotls can lay over 500 eggs in one go. If you have never hatched and raised axolotls before, I would suggest keeping only about 10. it is A LOT of work, even for an experienced breeder. That is if you think you can find good homes for them. The market is already flooded with axolotls from irreputable breeders and people who didnt know any better. If you are serious about wanting to breed, please please please do you research on their genetics and proper the husbandry of hatchlings. I see all too often people keeping more eggs than they can handle and they end up with half or more of their hatchlings dying because they just didnt want to cull the eggs. Which is more humane? culling the eggs before they begin to develop or them hatching and dying from improper care. Just my 2 cents on the subject as I receive rescues in really rough shape far more often that I'd like.

 

[goblinman]

Im glad they are both doing well and are growing!

As a thought, if you do not have the intention of breeding them responsibly, please separate them. It is really stressful on the female otherwise. Generally, females should not lay eggs more than about twice a year without it being a health concern.

If you are intending on letting them breed just for the fun of it, keep in mind axolotls can lay over 500 eggs in one go. If you have never hatched and raised axolotls before, I would suggest keeping only about 10. it is A LOT of work, even for an experienced breeder. That is if you think you can find good homes for them. The market is already flooded with axolotls from irreputable breeders and people who didnt know any better. If you are serious about wanting to breed, please please please do you research on their genetics and proper the husbandry of hatchlings. I see all too often people keeping more eggs than they can handle and they end up with half or more of their hatchlings dying because they just didnt want to cull the eggs. Which is more humane? culling the eggs before they begin to develop or them hatching and dying from improper care. Just my 2 cents on the subject as I receive rescues in really rough shape far more often that I'd like.

I’m fully aware of the responsibilities of owning a pair and they’re getting upgraded to a larger tank with a divider very soon, thank you!