Illness/Sickness: Fungus/Shedding

Sian - Hi, My axolotl Yukari has a cotton wooley fungus on his gills and i was wondering whether to give him either a tea bath or a salt bath?? What one do you reckon i should give him?
My water parameters are - Ammonia = 1.0ppm, Nitrites = 2.0ppm, Nitrates = 40ppm and PH 7.6 / 7.7. Temperature - 18c. Im doing a 20% water change daily to help keep these down. Yukari is 5 1/2 " long and he eats bloodworm, earthworm, tubifex worm, brine shrimp & daphina & artemia. He also has a tank mate. I have included photos.
Thanks

Fran - hi again i'm back about both my Axotlots again ( Daiki & Roka) i'm still a little concerned on Daiki's gills as they still have the white dusting on them and his frilly bits seem to be not as fluffy as before. i have tried to get much clearer photos this time but it's the best i can get at the moment. He is 5 " and still has a very good appetite & still his usual self.

As for Roka i have noticed he has some sort of white flaky stuff near his gills i don't know if this is shedding or a fungus it seems to float with his gills like a little white/clear blanket, he's never had this before. He is about 3 1/2 " and is the same as Daiki still loves his food & his usual self.
Both Axolotl's are fed well, water parameters are :
Ammonia - 0.50ppm
Nitrite - 2.0ppm
Nitrate - 80ppm
PH - 7.8
Temp - 17c
Daily water changes 20 %
have included pictures thanks x

I would suggest a 50% water change now as those readings are dangerously high but not on a daily basis. I would also suggest a really, really good vacuuming as I think you have some leftover food/wastes lurking around as well.

At their size, I would lean more towards feeding them earthworm and bloodworm. The other stuff is really too small now and won't provide them much in the way of nutrition. I think you are definitely overfeeding them honestly and this is what could have your tank params so off.

If you are seeing something white and fluffy, yes, this is fungus and will need to treated with a salt bath.

Sian - Hey again. I feed my axolotls in a feeding bowl and not in their tank as it makes alot of mess. Ok i will start to feed them just bloodworm and earthworm. Thank You i shall give yukari a salt bath and see how it goes. I vaccum up the waste in the tank about everyday and im still doing a 20% water change daily. Thank you for your help xx

Hi there,

Hope your little one is feeling better soon!

You may want to move some ornaments around too to make sure no gunk is caught underneath.

I'm sorry but I forgot to ask if you are using a dechlorinator?

Sian - Hi again, Yeah i like to give it a good clean, i move all the ornaments and swill them out sometimes, yes i use dechlorinator, its the tetra safe one. Im going tomorrow to the pet store to buy some marine salt for yukari and then i shall give him a salt bath. Thanks xx