Stressed out Axolotl

[shantsdude]

I noticed that one of my baby Axolotls is quite a bit smaller then it's brother/sister (too young to tell sex). I try to keep there water temperature in the low to mid 60's. However, I've noticed that the smaller one has a "curved tail". I have heard that this is a sign of stress. The only thing i can think of that might be giving them stress is my a water filter. But I even leave that off most of the time so it wont cause problems. I've been thinking about giving them each their own cage, maybe that'd help. Can I please have some feedback on what to do? Thank you all!

 

[kapo]

Larvae can get stressed very easily especially with things like temperature and waterflow and water quality.

What do you keep your larvae? Do they have all their legs yet? And what type of filter (sponge or a normal internal filter)? How often do you feed and waterchange? Also, how large are they (smallest to largest) approximately?

It may be better to separate the small one out into a container (not cage ) - it is entirely normal to have a smaller one or ones than the others. This usually means it's get far less food than the larger/stronger ones - hence the need to separate by size; otherwise you may find smaller one dies (through lack of enough food) or may get bitten or even mistaken as food .

Ours are being raised without filters - its far easier to just feed and waterchange daily rather than run a filter and stress them out with waterflow.

 

[shantsdude]

Larvae can get stressed very easily especially with things like temperature and waterflow and water quality.

What do you keep your larvae? Do they have all their legs yet? And what type of filter (sponge or a normal internal filter)? How often do you feed and waterchange? Also, how large are they (smallest to largest) approximately?

It may be better to separate the small one out into a container (not cage ) - it is entirely normal to have a smaller one or ones than the others. This usually means it's get far less food than the larger/stronger ones - hence the need to separate by size; otherwise you may find smaller one dies (through lack of enough food) or may get bitten or even mistaken as food .

Ours are being raised without filters - its far easier to just feed and waterchange daily rather than run a filter and stress them out with waterflow.

They are in a 10 Gal aquarium , and that's one of the things I was thinking about. Between the filter, and two rock shelters (from the light) there's not a whole lot of room. I keep them separated by a Tank Divider. Yes they have their front legs, but dont have their back legs completely. The filter i use is a sponge filter. I feed them twice or three times a day (little Bloodworms) and change their water about once a week. However, it's kind of tricky. I use sand at the bottom of the aqarium, so i try to clean out the sand as best as I can. Any advice? anything I'm doing wrong/could do better? I'll go put the smaller one is a different aquarium for more room and such. Thanks!

 

[kapo]

Sorry shants, thought I'd answered this earlier as I was rushing out the door at the time and must have hit cancel rather than post!

Remove the sand. At least if you had bare substrate it's much easier for feeding and to see if there is any waste, live bloodworms won't hide in the substrate (but will gather any detritus/waste around themselves in clumps). Waterchanging once a week may not be enough for the larvae so you may need to step up your waterchanges to daily or every 2nd or 3rd day. Don't just rely on the sponge filter to try and do the job = they only do so much!

Remove the small/weak axolotl to a container of dechlorinated water, it doesn't need a separate aquarium. Feed and waterchange majority of water daily. This way you can tell exactly how much it is eating - it may improve in size and appearance. Turkey basters work well with waterchanging/spotcleaning daily.

You can partially cover the tank with a towel or something if there isn't enough room for the hides = this just makes it easier for cleaning and you can keep an eye on things!

 

[shantsdude]

Sorry shants, thought I'd answered this earlier as I was rushing out the door at the time and must have hit cancel rather than post!

Remove the sand. At least if you had bare substrate it's much easier for feeding and to see if there is any waste, live bloodworms won't hide in the substrate (but will gather any detritus/waste around themselves in clumps). Waterchanging once a week may not be enough for the larvae so you may need to step up your waterchanges to daily or every 2nd or 3rd day. Don't just rely on the sponge filter to try and do the job = they only do so much!

Remove the small/weak axolotl to a container of dechlorinated water, it doesn't need a separate aquarium. Feed and waterchange majority of water daily. This way you can tell exactly how much it is eating - it may improve in size and appearance. Turkey basters work well with waterchanging/spotcleaning daily.

You can partially cover the tank with a towel or something if there isn't enough room for the hides = this just makes it easier for cleaning and you can keep an eye on things!

I can do that. Today when I change the water, I'll empty out all the sand and just stay with bear bottom. If I start them on every other day water change, will that cause them to have Environmental Change stress? I've read that changing their environment constantly can cause stress. Would it cause them more stress changing the water all the time?

I've never heard of Turkey Blasters before, what are they? well, it's breakfast time for them haha. I'll get on and check this again later today. Thank you again!

 

[Kaysie]

As long as you're consistent with water changes, daily changes aren't stressful.

Turkey basters: http://www.flippersandfins.net/Images/TurkeyBasterA.JPG (Incidentally, this is the exact same 'model' I have).