Axolotl under attack

[Animal_addict_88]

I have 2 adult axolotls of the same size. The second was introduced to the tank about 2 years after the first and they have been together for well over a year now.
3-4 months ago I found 1 had attacked the other and a hand was lost. He was recovering nicely and I had seen no signs of aggression from either, so had assumed it was a case of mistaken identity over food.
Today I discovered the same axolotl had been injured again. His other front leg is mostly severed and a 3rd of the bone has been degloved. He is alive but had pulled his gills right in, like before, and is clearly unhappy.

Have there been any other cases of intentional aggression? Do I need to separate them? Unsure what else to do

 

[wolfen]

a couple of things you have to be sure of before having more than one axolotl.
1. is there enough room in the tank.
2. are there enough hides/caves, axolotls need their own space at times.
3. is there enough food, this tends to be the main reason for nipping and biting.
if all of the above are satisfied then your axolotls will need to be separated as one of your axolotls is overly aggressive to the other and attacks will continue.

 

[Animal_addict_88]

I have plants and a rock structure for shelter, but I could add move in the way of enclosed caves. Tank should defo be big enough and both eating well. Even with only 2.5 arms Ron is still eating lol. I feed them 2-3 worms each usually once or twice a week, but could feed more often.
I did feel like Nibbler (we named him before all this!) was following Ron around the tank last night.

 

[Animal_addict_88]

This is Ron tonight.

You can see the newly damaged leg (it appears broken at the elbow with only 1 bone attached so I'm hoping it falls off soon like last time), his partially regrown front leg on the other side, and his stressed out retracted gills.
Nibbler's gills look super healthy but Ron has always been a bit temperamental. His gills have never looked great, regardless of any changes I've made.

 

[wolfen]

although the lack of red eye could be due to blood loss check your kh and gh.
using 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate in the water will help with healing and also help with the gills, ensure good water oxygenation.
feed some shrimp, mysis, fish etc.. as well as worms to help aid healing.
make sure there is at least one cave/hide each.
having the damaged area trimmed back will speed up healing.

 

[Animal_addict_88]

I used black tea and salt baths last time too. I'm hoping the hand/ arm comes away itself as our vet is worried the trip would cause more stress and didn't seem keen. Failing that, could I help him myself? Unsure how much feeling he has in it. He's just dragging the arm around and picking up all the crud from the bottom of the tank.
They were due a clean out anyway so I'll put in an ice cream tub cut in two to make some caves while I rethink the layout

 

[wolfen]

as the wound regresses into a blastema the dead area (the old injured limb) will fall off allowing new cells to grow a fresh limb, the old area can be gently trimmed back to help speed up repair.
black tea and salt baths will help prevent infection although due to the salt amount salt baths can be stressful and at levels of over 15g/l can cause more harm than good, a low level of salt ie.. 1.5-2g/l is quite beneficial in the water whilst 3.5g/l is normally the highest level required to treat most injuries and ailments without causing stress or damaging skin coating.

 

[Animal_addict_88]

I added a little black tea to the tank and left the water for around 24 hours before doing a partial water change. I'll do another one tomorrow as well a the tank was due a proper clean anyway. I'll add a little API salts to the water once it's done as that usually helps my levels anyway.
The arm has detached, just like last time, so that's good. It's looking a little raw, but otherwise ok and quite neat.
I've added 2 more caves and created a couple more hiding spaces with floating plants as well. Hopefully that helps them feel more secure.

 

[Animal_addict_88]

Looks like I'm going to have to rehome one of them.
I've since seen Nibbler grab Ron by his remaining legs twice, and today he has another (thankfully minor) wound on his foot.
Not fair to keep them together when he's basically being eaten!

 

[Animal_addict_88]

Any tips on separating them but in the same tank? I'm thinking some kind of waterproof mesh.
Obviously the filtered water needs to flow through to both sections. Just trying to save Ron's remaining limbs!

 

[wolfen]

either perspex with holes drilled through or a plastic framework with nylon mesh can be used as dividers.
the most difficult part will be fitting the dividers due to the tank being in use and filled with water.

 

[Animal_addict_88]

I have done absolve panels. I have lego boards on the bottom of the tank so I might try a lego frame and drill holes in the acrylic