I think my Axolotl is sick. Any advise?

[rheann]

Titus doesn't seem to be doing very well. He isn't showing any signs of fungus after his recent attacks from Grimace, but his gills have become very pale, and he either threw up, or didn't properly digest a piece of worm I fed to him. I cannot tell, it seems like maybe he threw it up. He's not very active either. I am continuing to add a bit of salt to his water each water change, haven't started the salt baths yet though because the bit of salt I added to his water when he arrived to me with nearly his whole front arm missing seemed to help. I added about a teaspoon to 2 gallons of water. It really helped then, seems to be helping now. What should I do about his paleness and lack of energy? I did have him in the fridge, but keeping him in the fridge before didn't seem to cause a color change in him, and he has never thrown up his food before now. is it possible for Axolotls to digest food improperly so that it comes out nearly in tacked? If I have to, I will take him to the vet but I don't believe it is that serious and I would like to get some advise here at this forum first as I am not sure a vet would even know what to do for a sick Axolotl. Thanks guys.

 

[rheann]

I think that I will separate Grimace from the main tank as I will try to get a new tank up and cycled. Titus will remain out of the main tank until he has properly healed and shown a lot of improvement.

 

[joão]

Is Titus in the fridge? well mine were in the fridge and when they came out of it, they started to change colour every time they were without any activity, and they tend to be darker in low temperature.
well about eating problem , the only problem I had was that one of them didn´t make poo, but eating, for a week or so. I know I probably wasn´t to much help but it´s always good to share similar stories.

 

[rheann]

Thanks Joao. Sorry, not sure how to make the line above the a in your name with my keyboard. He is in the fridge right now. I think he was stressed because he was attacked. I think his color will come back when he recovers more from his injuries. I think he will be ok, I watched him swim around a lot tonight in his little container. I think the worst he has ever been was when his right arm was missing when he came to me. Thanks very much for your help

 

[anne-marie]

Hi Rheann,
Am I right in thinking that this is about the 3rd time you've had a tank cycling?? What a pain. You seem to be having problems with your tanks.

I would actually stop putting salt into Titus's water. I think that this would just make the water brackish and defeat the purpose of the "shock treatment" of the salt bath. If he has not developed fungus by now, then he probably won't?

I wouldn't worry too much about the throw -up because, from my experience if a worm is too big (or maybe too wriggly) they will regurgitate. If it continues, then be concerned.

The gills are probably pale because hes not very active. I know from my albino and whites that if they're just resting, the gills are virtually skin colour.

 

[grant]

As Anne said I wouldn't continue to put salt in their water because if he does have some type of fungus or bacteria on him it can get used to the salt and then salt baths will have no effect on it. I do add a tiny bit of aquarium salt to my tank about once every other month. Only about 1 tsp tho.

 

[rheann]

oh no anne Marie, I am not having any problems with my tank now

Just Grimace being aggressive towards the others. I'll put Titus back in the main tank when He's healed. What I was meaning to type was that I will leave my main tank up and just put up another tank for Grimace since she is a female. I have to do this anyway because when she gets older, I don't want her laying eggs too soon ^_^ Since he hasn't developed any Fungus I wont add any more salt as suggested. I think he will be ok. As for the worm, the piece I did give him a bit bigger than normal, so this is why he probably spit it back out. Thanks everyone for your help ^_^