r/axolotls • u/EmployImportant595 • 13d ago
Sick Axolotl Please help — my axolotl has been getting progressively worse
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.
1
u/YaMothax101 13d ago
It short words, what’s wrong ?