Very ill

[emma]

Just wondering if anyone can help. We have an axolotl that is really sick. Its gills have all curled up and they, along with the rest of its body is covered in a thick mucus. All of its veins are now very red, as well as all that its lips have turned black and it has trouble staying flat on the bottom. We think water quaility might be a problem, what should the readings be? How does putting it in a frigde work??
Thanks

 

[hayley-jane]

Hi Emma,

He sounds very ill

Place the axie into the fridge in a container with enough fresh dechlorinated water to cover him. The low water level will stop him stressing out as axie get stressed when they can't stop floating.

The temp in the fridge should be around 5-10 C I think.

As for the mucus, give the axie salt baths. To do this, mix 2 teaspoons of salt into 2 litres of fresh water. Once all of the salt has dissolved, put the axie in for exactly 10 minutes, anymore will burn his gills/skin. This should eventually get rid of the mucus, if it doesn't he might need vetinary treatment?

The readings of the tank water should be...

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate below 40
Ph 6.5 - 8

The temperature should be ideally 16-18 C but its quite hard to achieve without a cooler - mine is at around 19-22 C and Elsa is fine.

What does your axie eat?

If he looks like he might not last at all have you tried seeing a vet?

(Message edited by PlantH2O on September 02, 2005)

 

[emma]

Thanks very much, although you were right he didn't last!! At least we now know what to do if the others ever get ill.
Thank you

 

[hayley-jane]

Sorry Emma

Poor little axie.

Like you say though, you'll be able to save the next one cause you know what your looking for now