White Albino won't grow

[__notmarykate]

Good morning!
Happy owner of two axos here. 1 GFP Clean Lucy and 1 White albino. The albino has a slight deformation of one of their arms. It's shorter than the other which causes him to lean when he lays, as you can see pictured. The problem is, Lt. Dan, the albino, isn't growing. Water parameters are on point, both of them are eating.. Lt. Dan might be eating a little less. Any general advice here? Is there something wrong with Lt. Dan? He is super pale, but he hasnt gone to the top for gulps of air and mostly just chills like you see in the picture. Any advice would be great.. I am worried about him. FYI, I only put the lights on the get a good picture. Their water stays between 67-69 degrees f.

 

[wolfen]

axolotls tend to grow at different rates to each other.
what are your water parameters ie.. ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, kh, gh, your water temperature is too warm, ideal is 59°f - 64°f with 59°f being better.
ensure that the water is adequately oxygenated with the correct chemistry ie.. moderate/hard water moderate/high minerals.
ensure that the diet is varied and balance ie.. not just worms but eyed food as well.

 

[__notmarykate]

It looks like my water is super soft. I have two more cooling fans on the way. I have one now and moved them to my room where it's darker and away from a window. I have a long airstone to provide more oxygen. I will get a chiller if the two extra fans I have on the way do not work. The one has already cooled it 5 degrees so I am hopeful. Water parameters as follows:

 

[__notmarykate]

axolotls tend to grow at different rates to each other.
what are your water parameters ie.. ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, kh, gh, your water temperature is too warm, ideal is 59°f - 64°f with 59°f being better.
ensure that the water is adequately oxygenated with the correct chemistry ie.. moderate/hard water moderate/high minerals.
ensure that the diet is varied and balance ie.. not just worms but eyed food as well.

Right now they are eating pellets. I wanted to try worms to see if the movement would stimulate the little guy a bit more. He used to eat the pellets in front of me, but now he doesnt seem to notice them, even if they are right in front of him. I figured worms would be a good option, but I didnt know what to go for, based on how small he is. I was told to feed him earthworms but cut into pieces the distance between his eyes so it's small enough. I have not gone that route yet because I know there are other answers out there. Thanks again

 

[wolfen]

young axolotls are very movement orientated and will be better with live food.
earthworms are fine as part of a balanced diet but also it must also include other types of food as well ie.. shrimp, mysis, krill etc.. this is mainly due to the fact that worms don't contain vitamin A which is a vital vitamin for health.

 

[__notmarykate]

young axolotls are very movement orientated and will be better with live food.
earthworms are fine as part of a balanced diet but also it must also include other types of food as well ie.. shrimp, mysis, krill etc.. this is mainly due to the fact that worms don't contain vitamin A which is a vital vitamin for health.

Does my water appear to be too soft based on the pics I posted of the results?

 

[wolfen]

kh should be between 54 and 143 yours is around 120 which is good, gh should be between 125 and 251 yours are between 0 and 25 which is bad (very difficult to tell under yellow lighting).
this means that although your carbonates are good your mineral level is bad, read information about using 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate to improve water chemistry, info here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity
as a side note liquid tests are more accurate and easier to read than stick tests for ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.

 

[__notmarykate]

kh should be between 54 and 143 yours is around 120 which is good, gh should be between 125 and 251 yours are between 0 and 25 which is bad (very difficult to tell under yellow lighting).
this means that although your carbonates are good your mineral level is bad, read information about using 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate to improve water chemistry, info here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity
as a side note liquid tests are more accurate and easier to read than stick tests for ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.

After this meeting, I am going to pick up a liquid test kit and then reply with my results. I plan on tubbing this lil guy to keep an eye on him. Should I use the tank water, or should I start with new water?

 

[__notmarykate]

After this meeting, I am going to pick up a liquid test kit and then reply with my results. I plan on tubbing this lil guy to keep an eye on him. Should I use the tank water, or should I start with new water?

And you're right, that test is indicating very soft water.

 

[wolfen]

for tubbing always use fresh dechlorinated water, changed daily, feed at night change in morning.

 

[__notmarykate]

kh should be between 54 and 143 yours is around 120 which is good, gh should be between 125 and 251 yours are between 0 and 25 which is bad (very difficult to tell under yellow lighting).
this means that although your carbonates are good your mineral level is bad, read information about using 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate to improve water chemistry, info here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity
as a side note liquid tests are more accurate and easier to read than stick tests for ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.

ph - 7.6
high ph- 7.4
Nitrate -
bottle 1: 0ppm
bottle 2: 0? water was clear, did not react at all
Nitrite- 0 ppm

Looking at the article you posted now.

 

[wolfen]

which liquid test did you get, most liquid tests for nitrates involve using 2 bottles, for api tests for example.. use 5ml tank water in test tube, add 10 drops from bottle one, give tube quick shake to mix, shake bottle two for 30 seconds then add 10 drops from bottle 2 to test tube (the test tube that contains 5ml tank water and 10 drops from bottle one) shake test tube for 1 minute, now wait 5 minutes for colour to develop.

 

[__notmarykate]

which liquid test did you get, most liquid tests for nitrates involve using 2 bottles, for api tests for example.. use 5ml tank water in test tube, add 10 drops from bottle one, give tube quick shake to mix, shake bottle two for 30 seconds then add 10 drops from bottle 2 to test tube (the test tube that contains 5ml tank water and 10 drops from bottle one) shake test tube for 1 minute, now wait 5 minutes for colour to develop.

I got that one with two. I just dumped them.
Nitrate -
bottle 1: 0ppm
bottle 2: 0? water was clear, did not react at all
Nitrite- 0 ppm

followed instructions to a t. shook bottle, added 10, shook tube, waited 5, etc.

 

[wolfen]

did you add 10 drops of bottle 1 & 2 into the same test tube?
also how long has the tank been cycled?
what is the ammonia level? (done with liquid test)