I need help for a wounded Axolotls

[sarah]

I put an algae eater in the tank with my Axolotls. For a while everything was fine; however, last night I discovered small spots where the algae eater had 'sucked' on my Axolotls' tail! The skin is off and I am very worried. Can anyone give me any advice? Other than remove the fish, which I have already done.

 

[anne-marie]

Sarah, try the axolotl forum, scroll lower down on the page and you will find mad axolotl freaks to help you. (of which I may be one

)

 

[jennifer]

Can you tell us specifically what kind of algae eater it was? It might help other people to avoid the same bad mix.

 

[michael]

It will probably heal by itself. Keep it cold and check on it. If it seems to be getting worse instead of better try a salt bath or Furan 2. Normally I don't medicate for small wounds unless I see blood streaks, fungus, or the axy has a real sticky feel to it's skin. I don't advocate picking up your axy every day to see if it feels sticky or not. Once in a while is fine.
More questions post them in the axy section.

 

[sarah]

I'm not sure exactly what kind of algae eater it was?! I wish I could help. I will try to find out and let everyone know, so you can avoid the mix.
Thanks for all your help and I will repost my message on the axolotl forum.

 

[joseph]

More like this one...
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_pleco2.php

Or this one(can also be golden)
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cyprinids/images/chinalgaeater_s.jpg

Possibly this one though less likely than the above two
http://www.aquahobby.com/img/oto1.jpg

(Message edited by fishkeeper on June 06, 2005)

 

[sarah]

Thanks, those websites helped a bunch! The algae eater was this type: Hypostomus plecostomus
Common Pleco, Suckermouth Catfish....Don't put these in with you axolotls!

 

[joseph]

Great to hear the websites helped

Also,(in case you didn't notice it on the site) these guys can get very large and are unsuitable for most tanks they are sold for.

As for the axolotl, I agree with Michael. Give the axxie peace and quiet and keep all the conditions good and it should heal up nicely. Do keep an eye out for any changes on the wound though.

 

[sarah]

I see that now, the pet store told me it would be fine! Little did they know... My axolotl has been kept (very poorly

) for 2 years in water that is about 70 degrees. If I decide to put him in the fridge should I let the water slowly adjust first by using frozen water bottles? And after all this has calmed down, I should keep his water at around 65 degrees right, not put it back up to 70?

 

[wyatt]

i have a pleco 14 inches right now. they are good for some animals, but due to an axie's smooth skin, the pleco's spines could hurt it.

 

[sarah]

I didn't think about their spines (and luckily that never happened), but I am facing the 'hickeys' he left on my axolotl's tail! I would never put a pleco in Sammy's tank again!