White Patch on Gills? Help!

lisordactyl · Dec 20, 2010

Hey!

This morning my axies gills were fine. All big and fluffy. But then I was about to go bed, said 'night' to him (as you do) and noticed he had a white mark on his gills

Sorry that the pictures are a bit blurry, but I thought they'd be more helpful than no pictures.

When I look close at it, it seems like a small cluster of white gills

. I noticed something similar closer to the top of the same gill last week, but after he swam around for a little while the gills were back to normal

The parameters are good, he's eating, acting as normal and the rest of his body seem fine! He did have a fright yesterday though (had to move him and his tank as I had to set up a new in the place of his old one ; we haven't moved him into the tank yet) and the water is a little cooler than usual.

Has anyone got any idea what it is, and what action I need to take?

callina · Dec 21, 2010

Hi Lisa,

that looks like fungus to me and you should do salt baths. Take a look here: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/salt.shtml

Tina

morphyrichards · Dec 21, 2010

callina said:
Hi Lisa,

that looks like fungus to me and you should do salt baths. Take a look here: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/salt.shtml

Tina

I would also recommend doing some water changing. A couple of largish - say 30% or so over the next couple of days. Also, have a really thorough check of your tank, under plants, decorations, under and around rocks etc. for any kind of decaying matter which might have gone unnoticed and get rid of it.

I've had a few cases of gill fluff over the last couple of years and it usually sorts itself out without the need for the salt baths after I've done a really thorough clean and extensive water change.

lisordactyl · Dec 21, 2010

Thanks a lot for your help and suggestions!

I was up late last night looking and lovely pictures of fungus and came to the conclusion that it's probably saprolegnia.

It doesn't look like it's got worse over night and he still came out to greet me this morning, so I'll do the water change and super spot clean/syphon for a few days and see if it's gone. If not, I'll move on to the salt bath. I've just read the sticky 'guide to salt baths' on here, and it looks simple enough, though I've never picked him up out of the tank yet - ekk!

Another quick question:
I've got him a new bigger tank. I was going to wait until this fungus/patch has gone before I set it up a wait and wait a while before I put him in. I'll be using the filter and ornaments from his current tank in his new tank. Do you think waiting is still a good idea? The size of his current tank is much more manageable for 30% water changes, but if it's a water borne fungus (I'm definitely no scientist/expert here so I could be very, very wrong) maybe it's a good idea to have him in some new water?

morphyrichards · Dec 21, 2010

Its more likely to be columnaris and it's in all aquariums. Usually axies immune systems fight it off but if something brings down it's defences then the fungus gets an upper hand, which is why I suggest the spot cleans and water changes - a nitrate or ammonia spike may have weakened your axolotl.

It's not really about eradicating the fungus from the water, it's about helping your axolotl get strong enough to fight it off by making absolutely certain tank water conditions are perfect. Diet etc. are also important considerations. Would be good to test out your water parameters with a testing kit (although axies sometimes get it for no apparent reason, I suppose it's a bit like coming down with cold or flu)

morphyrichards · Dec 21, 2010

Actually, the new bigger tank might be a good thing to do now. With a larger volume of water it's much easier to maintain good water quality. Also, you would need to add fresh water which might be what your axolotl needs.

Do you understand about the tank cycling process? If not, then read this Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling it's really important to make sure your tank is properly cycled and has a drastic effect on the health of animals in an aquarium.

morphyrichards · Dec 21, 2010

One last thing, do not add any kind of fish medication to your aquarium! Many fish meds are lethal to caudates!

lisordactyl · Dec 21, 2010

Thanks a lot!

I've checked the parameters again to be on the safe side - all is well, it appears. Nitrites 0, Ammonia 0. The nirate is still developing but it looks like it's going to be low. I'll do a pH test shortly. Perhaps when I moved the tank the other day it stressed him out more than I thought - he did hide for most of the day! Also, understand the cycling process

I'll do the thorough spot clean and regular water changes, and then begin to sort out his new tank. Cleaning the sand is going to be fun ! Hopefully that's all it'll take and I won't have to give him a salt bath.

Erzs · Dec 21, 2010

Hello Lisa, your axolotl is adorable and I hope that gill fungus cleans up nicely. Also, is Clifford the axolotl on twitter? I'm sure I saw something like that recently!

lisordactyl · Dec 22, 2010

Thanks a lot. I'll forward on the compliment

I'm not sure whether it's getting better or worse. Here's a picture of the gill this morning

It's fluffier, though touching less of the gill/filaments? He's still eating and acting normal.

Also, yes...Clifford does have a Twitter, haha! My brother kept on at me to get a Twitter account so I made one as Clifford, aha.

callina · Dec 23, 2010

Hi Lisa,

I recommend you again to do salt baths (I gave you the link). The fungus is growing and damaging the gill filaments, as you can see at the photo.
So, please try it, before it´s getting more worse.

Tina

lisordactyl · Dec 23, 2010

Thanks for your reply Callina!

It's changed a lot since yesterday. Sorry to flood this page with pictures but I think you being able to see the problem is the best way to go about getting help.

Here's the front of the gill this morning

And here's what the back of it was like last night

I wish I could get some pictures with a better focus so you could see better! I don't want to use my flash.

As you can see, the big bit of fluff fungus has gone. I'm not sure if the entire fungus has gone, but his gill looks a lot better. Where the fungus was on the gill, it looks a little off colour. Also, rather than fluffy, the part where the fungus was/is it looks sort of soft & bumpy..a bit like filament stubble.

I hope this doesn't come across as though I'm arguing with you; I'm not. I've just read a few times on here that salt baths can be quite stressful. If the water changes have helped/are helping, I'd rather not stress him

morphyrichards · Dec 23, 2010

I agree with Lisa now, because it's getting fluffier it may mean it's getting worse. The salt baths are a bit stressful but should help clear it up and they aren't that bad really. Just make sure you dont leave him in for too long or over concentrate the solution. The worst bit IMHO is catching your axie without freaking it out too much.

[edit]... Just re-read your subsequent posts. These newer pictures do look as though its clearing up. He will lose the filaments that had cottony stuff on them but they will grow back. If you think the fungus is dropping off and clearing up then you wont need the salt baths. Keep a very close eye on it and if there is any sign its getting worse or not getting better then definitely do salt baths, otherwise just keep an eye on everything.

Morrison · Dec 24, 2010

Aww he's doing better

oh... what's his name on twitter?

martasauce · Jan 1, 2011

Is the white patch the mycelium or the mushroom (fruiting body)? On Caudata Culture Articles - Salt Solutions in Treating Salamanders it states to wear gloves to gently remove fungus from skin. Is this the case with gills as well? Will it cause further damage? How long after a series of salt baths should you see an improvement?

I've just had my first brush with axie fungus. Spring cleaned tank (even though it is mid-summer), 30 or 40% water change, salt bath & plenty of beef heart. Will check in the morning to see if fungus is still there and if she needs another bath. Is that enough?

morphyrichards · Jan 1, 2011

Is beef heart your axies staple diet? Its not really very good for them and might contribute to the illness.

SwissAxie · Jan 1, 2011

Hey,

Salt bath is one teaspoon per 1/4 gallon (1 liter) once a day for 20 minutes.
To be continued until ALL the fluff is gone and a few days after that.

And the sick guy should be separated from any other axies during the treatment. (plastic hospital tank, no filter needed but a total water change each day, rub the box with a clean cloth and hot water, each day, to prevent bacterial growth on the plastic - yes within 24h...)

Barbara

Kaysie · Jan 1, 2011

Salt baths are actually 2-3 teaspoons per liter for 10-15 mins.

martasauce · Jan 1, 2011

morphyrichards said:
Is beef heart your axies staple diet? Its not really very good for them and might contribute to the illness.

I've been feeding her whitebait but I thought I would give her a treat with live shrimp and beef heart.

morphyrichards · Jan 2, 2011

I think you should consider changing your axolotls diet. You can treat the fungus with salt baths but something caused the fungus in the first place and you need to investigate and address that. I dont know about the nutritional value of whiatebait as far as axolotls are concerned but I would be suspicious of diet as a cause.

Also - read all the sections in the website www.axolotl.org Any factors mentioned, from housing to diet could contribute to fungus.

White Patch on Gills? Help!

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