HELP! Missing limbs..floating and not eating.

[AmandaLyne]

Hello everyone. I recently bought 2 small axolotls. The smaller of the two was floating when i came home tyesterday i took him out put him in the fridge. Today i noticed he is missing 2 limbs and his gills are almost gone. I havent even had him 2 weeks. He has been hiding since i put him in the tank. The other guy is going great eating like a pig and swimming. Please help i dont want him to dye, Below are some pictures. I am assuming he was like this when i got him. Stupid big als. lol

 

[Azhael]

If the injuries were present when you bought it, i´d say the wounds don´t have apparent signs of infection which is very good. In fact, other than the blood spots, the injuries look like they could be regenerating already.
If the injuries were caused by the other axolotl already under your care, watch out for infection.
Fridging will help hugely as it boasts the axolotl´s inmunity system, plus it inhibits or slows fungal and bacterial growth.
If signs of infection appear, start salt baths right away.

I´m curious as to why it was floating upside down after bringing it home. Is the tank cycled? are all parametres correct as well as temperature??

 

[AmandaLyne]

Tank was totally cycled. I have no idea why he was floating. The other guy has had no issues. Full gills plump and swimms. Temp is good. Doing 30 percent water changes every 3 days.

 

[AmandaLyne]

How long should he stay in the fridge. Also what would the blood spots be from and how do i help him. At present all im doing is putting him in the fridge and changing the water everyday with bottled water thats been treated and sitting in the fridge so its the same temp.

 

[Darkmaverick]

I recommend a minimum of 3 weeks of fridging if the intent is to build up immunity and slow bacterial proliferation. Anything lesser will not allow the immunity to develop sufficiently.

 

[AmandaLyne]

Do i feed him while in the fridge? Also am i doing it right?

 

[blabberwort]

yes he can still be fed while in the fridge, though due to the low temperature dont be surprised if he doesnt eat as much as usual. Make sure you remove any food though unless it's live food which can stay in overnight.

It looks like your doing all the correct things whilst fridging - changing water daily, having treated water in a bottle in the fridge for water changes and I didnt notice but if you dont have already I would suggest a teatowel or similar wrapped around the container , it will stop any sudden light when opening the door from stressing him

 

[AmandaLyne]

okay thanks. Will update in a week or so

 

[AmandaLyne]

Ok guys. Went to take him out and out new water in the containter today he is not doing well. He is bairley moving and wont respond to light.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Appearance wise, anything unusual with the axie? Are there signs of deterioration?

 

[AmandaLyne]

He looks okay other then bloodspots. I gave him a salt bath yesterday and he seems to be doing a bit better.

 

[AmandaLyne]

The lil guy did sometime last night. Went to take him out to change the water and give him a salt bath and he was dead. Poor thing. Sucks even more cause i cant seem to find them around here. Cold lake alberta.

 

[Kerry1968]

Sorry to hear that.