Black/Red patches on axolotl

I have 2 axolotls. One started with a redish spot on his face about 6 months ago and no one could tell me what it was, now he has black patches and the back fin has disappeared. The skin around his face has kind of dried up and his underneath, around his groin, is very black and kind of flakey and wispy. Does this make sense so far? The girl in the tank now also has a red spot on her side but nothing else.

Their water condition is good except for nitrate which is at 4 according to the pet shop, there has been no major temperature change in the water either. His gills are really healthy and he is eating fine but his skin looks painful now.

They are both around 4 years old and I had another axolotl before for 10 years and never had anything like it. I thought it might be the redleg bacterial thing. Is the only real way to determine this to go to the vet?

A nitrate level of 4 is actually low. An established/cycled tanks parameter readings are generally:

ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates 5-40 or 60ppm (anything 80ppm/m/g + then you have a problem)

I'm not sure why some australians who have posted here recently have been under the impression that any nitrate level (especially that low) or any for that matter is a matter of concern (unless it's based on what ever petshop assistant advice has been given).

Unless of course you mean nitrite levels; if it is nitrite rather than nitrate then yes you do have a problem which can be corrected through frequent partial waterchanges.

What were the actual readings of your last tankwater test that you got (ie ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?) When did you last get it tested? Do they use dip strip tests or the test tube kind to test the tank water? This is quite important as the test tube kind are more reliable than the dry strip type ones.

What is your tank temperature? How large is the tank - measurements? Anything else sharing their tank?

What type of axies do you have and any chance of a photo - may give us more of an idea?

I had the levels tested yesterday at the pet shop as I do not have all the kits required to test at home. The girl I was speaking to said that ph was normal, around 7.0 I think. She also said the ammonia and nitrite was 0 and the only level that was up was the nitrate ( I hope I have them the right way round, she said that it is usually harmless but can lower the immune system) and that regular partial water changes would resolve it. If it was not 4 then I am not sure of the exact level, but it was bright red (yes, I know this is not helpful) they were also all strip tests.

The tank is a 2 ft tank. I do not keep a temp gauge in the tank as I have never had this issue with any other axolotl that I have kept. There are no other fish in the tank, only 2 water plants that have been there since I first got them as babies and a castle and a rock.

My axolotl that is sick is greenish/yellow. I have tried to take a photo but have had no luck, the photo comes out too distorted. Does anyone know how the bacteria could effect the axolotls? Has anyone seen this type of infection before?

Thanks.

This could very well be heat related. Regardless of the fact that you've never needed a temperature gauge, aka thermometer, you will need one.

This is important axolotls get very stressed if their tankwater temperature starts rising above 20; this in turn can lower their immune system which in turn can bring on a stress related illness, such as fungus or some other infection. Most illnesses are stress related, ie through water quality or temperatre related. Axolotls are cold water creatures therefore get stressed if temperatures are above 20.

Return to the petshop and buy a thermometer. Whereabouts in Australia are you, there have been many cases recently that have had temperature related illnesses due to fluctuation of temperatures and inability to maintain a constant cool temperature below 20C. A 2 foot tank is more likely to foul very easy and heats up much faster than a larger tank does. If temperature is above 20C or fluctuates constantly then you'll have to employ cooling methods, see: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cooling.shtml

So your axolotl is a wildtype? (Greenish/yellow or olive looking axolotl?).

Normal pH levels for an axolotl are between 6.4-8.0 Do you use anything in the tankwater other than a dechlorinator for tapwater (that removes chlorine and chloramines)?

Nitrates, if that figure is correct, does not need adjusting through waterchanges. I'd be more concerned if there were no nitrate levels in your tank.

Ideally it would be better if you can find some freshwater test kits, test tube variety - I use the Aquarium Pharmaceutical brand which is pretty good; that are a lot more reliable than the strip tests. The most important ones being ammonia/nitrite and nitrate. Ask the petshop assistant if they have any or can order them in

If you had a problem with nitrites you are more likely to find your axolotl gasping. Attached is a photo of the master test kit I use.

Do you have any substrate in your tank?