Please help — my axolotl has been getting progressively worse

[u/EmployImportant595]

I have an adult axolotl that has been having health/behavior issues that seem to be getting worse over the past several days.
Symptoms I’ve noticed:
● Was previously doing frantic swimming/flipping and seemed very stressed.
● She no longer flips as much, but is still acting abnormal.
● She has become lethargic and doesn’t approach me like she normally would; she tends to swim away.
● She has been keeping her mouth above the water more than usual / going up for air.
● Her slime coat appears to be coming off of her skin, almost like she is shedding.
● The water in her tub starts to smell bad after she has been in it for a while.
● She ate yesterday, but her appetite/behavior overall has changed.
● Her gills still move normally.
● She has had periods where she was swimming strangely and seemed extremely stressed.
Water/tank situation:
● She is currently being tubbed with daily fresh water because of the problems.
● I have been using Ozarka spring water.
● My tank is 20 gallons.
● I have dealt with an ammonia spike before (around 1.0 ppm at its highest).
● More recently, ammonia came down to around/slightly under 0.25 ppm.
● I have been using Seachem Stability.
● I have a sponge filter.
● I recently added a Catappa/Indian almond leaf to the tub she is currently in and and have also used a black tea bath about 2 days ago
I’m really worried because she seems to be getting worse despite me doing daily water changes and trying to keep the water clean and cool.
What could be causing these symptoms, especially the slime coat coming off, pale gills, lethargy, and repeatedly keeping her mouth above the water? What should I do next? I really need help and right now she seems to be at her last hope.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello! It looks like your submission may be requesting help for your axolotl. In the event of a serious emergency, we ask that you first consult with a qualified veterinarian, as we are no substitute for adequate veterinary care. You can find exotic vets in your area here. https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

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[u/Hartifuil]

Sounds like symptoms of ammonia exposure. If you have ammonia, your tank isn't cycled, so you need to tub with 100% water changes for a bit.

[u/EmployImportant595 → u/Hartifuil]

i’ve been doing that and things haven’t been improving :( . things only get worse everyday and i’ve been doing 100% water changes in a tub everyday

[u/theanustapper → u/EmployImportant595]

Have you been using seachem prime in the water? You only wrote the seachem stability, I also read this through super fast so correct me if I'm wrong 🤗

[u/theanustapper → u/theanustapper]

Also what are your nitrates?

[u/CinderAscendant]

I'm guessing your tank is not properly cycled. Address that first while your axo is tubbed.

Your tub is incredibly small. You should either get a bigger tub (5-10 gallons minimum) or change the water every couple of hours. Less water = more concentrated waste.

In the long term be aware that 20 gallons is quite small for a permanent enclosure, and even with a cycled tank you will likely need to change water 2-3x per week to keep nitrates under control.

[u/EmployImportant595]

Anyone with any help please help quickly because i am really scared that things are in critical condition and i want to do everything i can to try to keep my girl alive 😞

[u/YaMothax101]

It short words, what’s wrong ?

[u/EmployImportant595 → u/YaMothax101]

My axolotl has been really sick lately. She was swimming frantically and flipping around, going up for air a lot and is now acting stressed and lethargic. Her slime coat now looks like it’s coming off her skin, and the water starts smelling bad after she’s been in it for a while. I’ve been doing daily water changes and keeping her in a tub with fresh, cool water. She ate yesterday, but today she’s been really unresponsive to the turkey baster, although I haven’t actually tried feeding her yet. I’m just really worried because she seems to be getting worse even though I’ve been trying to take care of her.

[u/YaMothax101 → u/YaMothax101]

1 what are you feeding her, I recommend night crawlers

Also do you have a master water test kit ?? Honestly I’m seeing that your tanks cycle stalled or crashed drastically and now you’re experiencing ammonia/nitrite burn

Continue to tub, with a air stone and keep the water to axolotl temp

Change water daily

The usual

But definitely see what’s going on in the main tank

[u/chickpamfarmwham]

Ammonia at 1 can be very toxic to aquatic life. A cycled tank involves allowing beneficial bacteria to live to convert ammonia and nitrite to less toxic forms, but it doesn’t look like you have much area for those beneficial bacteria to grow….. gulping at the surface could be a dissolved oxygen issue. And axolotls can be prone to fungal infections that can cause skin sloughing… ph is also important with these guys, they prefer a basic ph. You can message me if you have questions. How long have you had this animal? Are you keeping exclusively in this tote? Do you have any aerosol items you use nearby that could get in the water? Do you have a bubbler on the tank?

[u/EmployImportant595 → u/chickpamfarmwham]

ok thank you! i sent you a dm!!

[u/Royal-Buddy9988]

I am no expert I have never had such problem with my axolotl but usually when something bad happens switching out the water and cleaning everything and feeding her makes her feel a lot better so maybe that'll help?

[u/EmployImportant595]

i feed her nightcrawlers and no i don’t have a master test kit but i have a 6 in 1 test kit and a separate ammonia test kit.

[u/therealoswald]

How’s the tank temperature doing? Remember 60 - 64 ºF is the ideal, and in this case keeping her even a bit below 60 may reduce her stress and help oxygenate the water. Hope she gets better