Mudpuppy Sick, Small Gills

[mudpuppy90]

Hi,

I have a pup named Paco. Up until 2 days ago has been just fine. We noticed he was 'sick' when he starting using the soft shell turtle's floating basking platform. We would catch him OUT of water laying on under a 50 w bulb!!!! His skin was peeling. So sad. So we removed the platform and came to the conclusion our filter needed new filters (we have the emperor 400 for our 75 gallon tank). So today I replaced those, within an hour the tank was crystal clear again, but his gills are still shrunken and he won't eat. Do we need to give him time? The tank set up hasn't changed for the past 6 months, so I do not think it is from stress or shock from change. I bet it was the 'cleanliness' of the tank as it was just slightly murky....but I didn't think that would affect him so dramatically. I'd appreciate any insight. He is our first, although we've owned many other water animals and reptiles.

I appreciate any help.

Tara

[Jess]

Hi it seems like you don't have an actual mudpuppy (necturus maculosus) but a larval tiger salamander that is going through metamorphosis. There is a couple problems with the way you are keeping it. Are you keeping it with the turtle? These two animals are not a good mix. Salamanders require cool water. Your basking light is undoubtedly keeping the water too warm. The ideal temperature for your salamander is about 65F Your turtle is probably causing stress to your salamander as well even if you don't see nipping or bullying, it is probably happening. For your salamander to lay under a heat lamp shows that it is under extreme stress. Your salamander can also drown if it is loosing its gills and cant get out of the water to a safe place.

At this point your larvae tiger salamander is going from water to land and will need a new a whole new appropriate terrestrial set up.

Please read through these three articles:
Caudata Culture Articles - Tiger Salamander 101

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tiger salamander

Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

First thing first, get it out of it's current tank! As far as his peeling skin, if you can upload a picture, that would help a lot.