Larvae Deaths

[philbaker76]

Hi guys, had a couple of larvae deaths - wondered if anyone has any ideas on the causes.

Basically, keeping conditions are fine - the only thing I've done different is try feeding "bought" daphnia (I usually feed from the pond).

The three deaths have all been in separate containers - the dead larvae aren't showing any signs of damage. All deaths have been an hour or so after feeding.

Personally, I think it's the bought in daphnia - but could it be attacks from others, or something else?

Any feedback appreciated. Cheers, Phil

 

[digger]

did you wash the daphnia first, i always do just incase of contamination.

 

[philbaker76]

What I've been doing is taking the bag of daphnia from the fridge. Placing the packet in an indoor tank for a hour or so to reach room temp. Then pouring through two nets, to separate the very small from the larger ones.

Putting the netted daphnia in two seperate containers of clean water (small and large) - feeding them to the appropriate size Axolotls.

I haven't rinsed them as such - but they've been in clean water before catputed with a pepette.

Just had a call to tell me more have died!

Will go up later do a complete water change and see the damage! I'm sure its the bought daphnia - I've never lost this many at this stage before. I did notice the pet shop daphnia dies a lot sooner than the stuff from the pond.

P****d off!

 

[philbaker76]

Gutted!!!

Got back to find I've lost about 20. Pretty sure it's the pet shop daphnia - the one tub that didn't get any are fine.

Got about 9 left, 5 Bellabelloo gold and 2 ColinB gold and 2 ColinB Wild Type.

Gutted!:sad: ...lesson learned. Stick to what you know.

 

[Jennewt]

Sorry, Phil

The problem could be petshop bacteria that came in with the daphnia, rather than the daphnia themself. If you are seeing exponential deaths (increasingly large numbers dieing), then it's probably a nasty bacteria on the loose. Are there any fish treatment antibiotics you can get in England?

 

[philbaker76]

Thanks Jennifer. The survivors are in clean containers with 100% water change. Looked happy enough last night; eating, no signs of stress - but keeping a close eye on them.

I'll go and find out about fish treatment this weekend (have some ready, just incase). Thanks for the advice. Cheers Phil

 

[philbaker76]

More deaths!

Lost another three - the larger three gold, they were just about to sprout their back legs. Gutted!!!

All ColinB's gold and my favorite - the large gold from Bellabelloo

Tested the water, it's fine. Temperature fine too.

Stright off the the Aquatics shop tomorrow for some antibiotics. Think I'm going to split the ones that are left into their own containers, just in case.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I'm sorry to hear about your larvae.. ( esp. big B) I have about 2 of this batch residing in the daphnia/ blood worm tank out side and they are tiny...hardly grown at all in the colder water, and they are much darker than any of the others. I've been trying to catch them for a while now , but they blend in really well in the gunk at the bottom of the tank and are pretty nippy too! if I ever get them you can have them!

 

[philbaker76]

Hi Bellabelloo - thanks for the offer of the little ones, very kind of you - but I'll pass thanks, concerntrate on the ones I have left.