Axolotl has thready white stuff coming from his back

Hi,
i dont know what to do my axolotl has this white fluffy looking stuff stringing off his back i dont know if its peeling skin, fungal or bacterial infection can anyone help please!!!!!!!}

Lana, I transferred this from "sick axie: red rash message" that I answered.



Lana, you've now obviously worked out axies don't need heaters. They prefer cooler temps (from 5 deg cel. to 20 deg cel.) when it starts rising above 22-24 deg cel. you will have to start cooling it down. Get a thermometer, if you don't have one.

(Message edited by kapo on September 25, 2006)

Also, sounds like your tank may be cycling, esp. since you changed him to new one recently. You will need to test the water regularly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate regularly (every few days) while cycling. See: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml If you don't have test kits to test the tankwater then take a sample, asap to your petshop and get them to test and give you the figures of the reading. If the ammonia and/or nitrite readings are too high, which can cause skin to peel/shrivel or "burn", you will need to do a 20-30% waterchange to bring water back into safer levels for your axie. If ur unsure what your readings mean, post a new thread here and ask.


Try and keep the tank cool below 18-20deg cel. and if ur unable to get your water tested within the next day or so, then do a 20-30% waterchange to be on safe side.


Also, can you post a picture so we can see if it is fungus? If it is fungal, then saltbaths will need to be done 2-3 times daily.

thx again!!!! i have been in tears overnight worrying about him that stuff has come off him!

is there anything i should do to prevent it from happeneing again?

Just keeping the dude/dudess in good conditions should prevent it happening again.

Keep your temp down below 20 deg cel., cooler is better! So, get a thermometer if you don't have one.

Test your water parameters regularly while it is cycling (every 2/3 days), once cycled (about once a week), or if your axie looks off/sick - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and if need be do a 20-30% waterchange if ammonia/nitrite gets too high.

Also, do you have a cave for him/her to hide in? Can be terracotta pipe/flower pot/plastic pvc pipe (my sister used a plastic spaghetti container - end cut off and sandpapered the sharp edge so her axie wouldn't cut herself)

If you decide to get another axie, quarantine the new one for 30 days, as it could make your new one sick, and make sure it is round about the same size.

(Message edited by kapo on September 25, 2006)

thx! and also about the hiding place 4 them what can i make one out of because no pet shops seem to have them in at the moment!!! thx again!

You could use terracotta/clay flower pots, pvc plastic pipe, plastic noodle container (with end cut off and sandpapered edge to smooth). Check around at Bunnings for pvc pipe or even a terracotta one. A friend recently used a cheap plastic garden hose holder turned upside down so its like a tunnel and used silicone suitable for use in an aquarium to glue riverstones onto/around it, you get them here cheap here at $2 shops. Another friend got some large flattish stones (about 3-4 inches long x 2inches wide) and stacked them with a piece across to make a bridge/tunnel.

sorry, i must be getting annoying, but i would like to get another axolotl but will my axi become terrotorial? i will still get another one just in a different tank

i am starting to get worried my axi has swallowed gravel his/her stomach looks like it is getting a bit bigger and there are two pin head sized lumps on axles stomach