NO gill floofs WONT eat

[LotlMom21]

Hi there! I’ve struggled with my axolotl since I got it back in April. Was tubbed constantly due to fungus and tank issues, and hasn’t really grown. I got it from a reputable breeder so I don’t think genetics or prior care is an issue. I was FINALLY able to get him into his/her tank about a month ago and all was well. He/she finally started eating very well and overall just seemed to be thriving. In a 20 gallon I run 2 sponge filters both rated for 40gallon tanks as well as a small bubble light. I do small (10%-ish) water changes twice a week just to keep up on it.

Fast forward to day before yesterday and I notice lack of hill filaments over night. Immediately I tubbed it and tested my water. Well… cycle has crashed. Nitrites AND Nitrates are both through the roof and I’ve got about 3ppm ammonia. PH is the only good number at 7.4…

My babe has lost ALL it’s floofs (which we’re pretty scarce to begin with) and it’s already small gill stocks are even smaller now. He/she also won’t eat. I’m giving tea baths and the tub is filled with primed water kept around 63, a hide, and an air stone.

What else can I do to help my little babe while I get the tank cycle back? I’m so scared I’m going to lose it

: first picture is tank setup
: 2nd picture was just now

 

[Autistic Catholic]

You're doing everything right. Just keep offering food until he's ready to eat again. I'm not sure if the gill damage will be permanent or not but it doesn't look serious at all.

 

[LotlMom21]

You're doing everything right. Just keep offering food until he's ready to eat again. I'm not sure if the gill damage will be permanent or not but it doesn't look serious at all.

You think so? Even though it’s gills are shrinking and there’s no floofs left at all? Doesn’t he/she need them to breathe? I offer plenty of oxygen supply sources, but won’t that be useless if there’s no lungs to breathe it? I was able to get it to eat a few blackworms this morning, but they were thrown up within an hour

 

[Autistic Catholic]

You think so? Even though it’s gills are shrinking and there’s no floofs left at all? Doesn’t he/she need them to breathe? I offer plenty of oxygen supply sources, but won’t that be useless if there’s no lungs to breathe it? I was able to get it to eat a few blackworms this morning, but they were thrown up within an hour

Amphibians breathe through their skin. It's like if you damaged your nose or got a stuffy nose. It'd be difficult to breathe through the nose, but you wouldn't be close to suffocating since you can breathe through your mouth too. The damage may be permanent, but it may not be permanent. Just keep his water clean for now and offer food. Other than his gills, he looks quite healthy.

 

[LotlMom21]

Amphibians breathe through their skin. It's like if you damaged your nose or got a stuffy nose. It'd be difficult to breathe through the nose, but you wouldn't be close to suffocating since you can breathe through your mouth too. The damage may be permanent, but it may not be permanent. Just keep his water clean for now and offer food. Other than his gills, he looks quite healthy.

Ok thank you! The reassurance is very helpful. It ate a good amount of bloodworms this afternoon, but I know those don’t supply any nutrients really, I just wanted to remind he/she that it’s still important to eat! I tried a little piece of red wiggler as well, he did try it a couple of times but spit it right back out. I’m hoping the tea baths are soothing any discomfort. Am hoping the tank cycles quickly. I had an awful time cycling this one! I’ve had tanks all my life and currently run 3 with fish, but never had trouble cycling until I set up the lotl tank.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Ok thank you! The reassurance is very helpful. It ate a good amount of bloodworms this afternoon, but I know those don’t supply any nutrients really, I just wanted to remind he/she that it’s still important to eat! I tried a little piece of red wiggler as well, he did try it a couple of times but spit it right back out. I’m hoping the tea baths are soothing any discomfort. Am hoping the tank cycles quickly. I had an awful time cycling this one! I’ve had tanks all my life and currently run 3 with fish, but never had trouble cycling until I set up the lotl tank.

Is he a juvenile? I know that juveniles have a digestive mechanism that will cause them to vomit when full.

 

[LotlMom21]

Is he a juvenile? I know that juveniles have a digestive mechanism that will cause them to vomit when full.

Was told he hatched in January but is only about 5 inches so I’m not sure.

Is he a juvenile? I know that juveniles have a digestive mechanism that will cause them to vomit when full.

 

[wolfen]

bloodworms aren't nutritionally void as is thought, bit of info on a fish forum Nutritional Value Of Blood Worms
what are your nitrate levels, doing a large water change once a week is better than small water changes, ie.. if your nitrates are 100ppm and you do a 10% water change that reduces it to 90ppm now say the nitrates don't increase the next 10% brings it down to 81ppm, now instead you do a 20% water change that reduces 100ppm to 80ppm.
always remember that percentage of water removed is percentage of nitrates removed, so before doing a water change test nitrates first anything over 40ppm do a 50% change.
how was the tank first cycled.
because of the temperature and ph the ammonia although bad was probably secondary to the nitrites, use methyline blue baths to reduce any nitrites still in blood system.
use holtfreters in the tank water as a standard, not only does it make the water more comfortable chemically but it also protects against nitrogen compounds as well as fungus and bacteria.
because your ph is good it doesn't sound like old tank syndrome, how was you dechlorinating the water?

 

[LotlMom21]

bloodworms aren't nutritionally void as is thought, bit of info on a fish forum Nutritional Value Of Blood Worms
what are your nitrate levels, doing a large water change once a week is better than small water changes, ie.. if your nitrates are 100ppm and you do a 10% water change that reduces it to 90ppm now say the nitrates don't increase the next 10% brings it down to 81ppm, now instead you do a 20% water change that reduces 100ppm to 80ppm.
always remember that percentage of water removed is percentage of nitrates removed, so before doing a water change test nitrates first anything over 40ppm do a 50% change.
how was the tank first cycled.
because of the temperature and ph the ammonia although bad was probably secondary to the nitrites, use methyline blue baths to reduce any nitrites still in blood system.
use holtfreters in the tank water as a standard, not only does it make the water more comfortable chemically but it also protects against nitrogen compounds as well as fungus and bacteria.
because your ph is good it doesn't sound like old tank syndrome, how was you dechlorinating the water?

 

[LotlMom21]

My nitrates are usually between 20-40ppm I just do the water changes to for peace of mind really because my anxiety will take over if I don’t. I cycled using Dr Tim’s ammonia dosing up to 4ppm. I also have pothos in to suck up any nitrate spikes. I’m not sure what happened to crash my cycle, as I only found 1 small bit of worm when I cleaned the tank today which I doubt would completely crash it and so suddenly. I try to check my parameters twice a week (before I do my water changes) and everything had been fine up until the point when I noticed his gills didn’t look right and then they were nearly gone and he wouldn’t eat so I tubbed him and right away tested the water. He’s swimming a bit more (as much as he can in his tub anyway) tonight, but still not up to par. I will start his blue baths tomorrow! Thanks for your help!!

 

[LotlMom21]

My nitrates are usually between 20-40ppm I just do the water changes to for peace of mind really because my anxiety will take over if I don’t. I cycled using Dr Tim’s ammonia dosing up to 4ppm. I also have pothos in to suck up any nitrate spikes. I’m not sure what happened to crash my cycle, as I only found 1 small bit of worm when I cleaned the tank today which I doubt would completely crash it and so suddenly. I try to check my parameters twice a week (before I do my water changes) and everything had been fine up until the point when I noticed his gills didn’t look right and then they were nearly gone and he wouldn’t eat so I tubbed him and right away tested the water. He’s swimming a bit more (as much as he can in his tub anyway) tonight, but still not up to par. I will start his blue baths tomorrow! Thanks for your help!!

Oh and I use Seacham Prime

 

[Autistic Catholic]

5 inches and barely 8 months is a juvenile if I'm not mistaken. It's possible he's just throwing up because he's full then.

 

[axolotl nerd]

Hi there! I’ve struggled with my axolotl since I got it back in April. Was tubbed constantly due to fungus and tank issues, and hasn’t really grown. I got it from a reputable breeder so I don’t think genetics or prior care is an issue. I was FINALLY able to get him into his/her tank about a month ago and all was well. He/she finally started eating very well and overall just seemed to be thriving. In a 20 gallon I run 2 sponge filters both rated for 40gallon tanks as well as a small bubble light. I do small (10%-ish) water changes twice a week just to keep up on it.

Fast forward to day before yesterday and I notice lack of hill filaments over night. Immediately I tubbed it and tested my water. Well… cycle has crashed. Nitrites AND Nitrates are both through the roof and I’ve got about 3ppm ammonia. PH is the only good number at 7.4…

My babe has lost ALL it’s floofs (which we’re pretty scarce to begin with) and it’s already small gill stocks are even smaller now. He/she also won’t eat. I’m giving tea baths and the tub is filled with primed water kept around 63, a hide, and an air stone.

What else can I do to help my little babe while I get the tank cycle back? I’m so scared I’m going to lose it

: first picture is tank setup
: 2nd picture was just now
View attachment 93572

i think the small gills are mostly just genetics, but i could be wrong

however, he is very pale, which concerns me about possible anemia.
as far as diet, bloodworms aren't nutritionally sound as a staple, more as a treat. kind of like chips for axolotls. i would start feeding him chopped (live) earthworms

 

[LotlMom21]

i think the small gills are mostly just genetics, but i could be wrong

however, he is very pale, which concerns me about possible anemia.
as far as diet, bloodworms aren't nutritionally sound as a staple, more as a treat. kind of like chips for axolotls. i would start feeding him chopped (live) earthworms

He’s eaten red wigglers right from the start. I only tried the blood worms as a last resort. He’s thankfully regained his color, is eating like a champ, and back in his tank. Floofs are still very small though And he’s still seems small to me, but is doing much better now. Thank you for your reply!

 

[axolotl nerd]

He’s eaten red wigglers right from the start. I only tried the blood worms as a last resort. He’s thankfully regained his color, is eating like a champ, and back in his tank. Floofs are still very small though And he’s still seems small to me, but is doing much better now. Thank you for your reply!

no longer think he's anemic considering his color brightens up when hes active, which is good news
great news that he's eating again!! however, i still recommend earthworms to help him grow. also, red wigglers have a bitter taste that some axolotls seem to dislike, so that may have been part of the issue.
looks to be at a great weight now! not sure how old he is but usually females tend to be a bit bulkier. he's still a juvenile so we can't know for sure yet, but it's possible you've got a little lady on your hands.

as for the gill filaments- i think its just genetic. the gill stalks themselves are very short (which isn't a problem, just a feature) so i think that the small filaments are just a result of his background.
either way, he looks great, and axolotls don't need huge gills to breathe well anyways

p.s. hoping for more pictures of him soon!

 

[LotlMom21]

no longer think he's anemic considering his color brightens up when hes active, which is good news
great news that he's eating again!! however, i still recommend earthworms to help him grow. also, red wigglers have a bitter taste that some axolotls seem to dislike, so that may have been part of the issue.
looks to be at a great weight now! not sure how old he is but usually females tend to be a bit bulkier. he's still a juvenile so we can't know for sure yet, but it's possible you've got a little lady on your hands.

as for the gill filaments- i think its just genetic. the gill stalks themselves are very short (which isn't a problem, just a feature) so i think that the small filaments are just a result of his background.
either way, he looks great, and axolotls don't need huge gills to breathe well anyways

p.s. hoping for more pictures of him soon!

Ohhhhhhh I sure hope so!! I e been calling it a he so I won’t be disappointed when it turns out to not be a girl which is what I’m REALLY hoping for

I rinse the wigglers like 5 times before I feed him, and he’s never had any issues. I think earthworms may still be a bit too big for it because I’m still having to cut the wigglers into 4-6 pieces?

 

[Autistic Catholic]

however, he is very pale, which concerns me about possible anemia.

Looking back, I see the paleness now too though it's possible it's just inactivity, from not eating, or just the lighting...

 

[Autistic Catholic]

He'll be in range to sex very soon. You said he hatched in January so it's possible by January, you can properly sex him, maybe even earlier. He actually might be a she though I'm likely wrong on this.

 

[LotlMom21]

He'll be in range to sex very soon. You said he hatched in January so it's possible by January, you can properly sex him, maybe even earlier. He actually might be a she though I'm likely wrong on this.

It’s only about 7 inches now though.. still seems to small for a January hatch? I am really hoping he turns out to be a she

 

[Autistic Catholic]

The normal size for adults is around 9 inches. The typical size is between 6 and 18 inches. So 7 is closer to average for an adult.