Skin flaking, brown scabby lesions, pale gills, poor motor skills, happened within a day help!

Hi! This is my first time owning axolotls, and they've been fine the last three months. I feed them worms and pellets, they have an exto terra repticlear fx 2000 filter, and they've showed no sign of illness before. But then my two leucistic males suddenly had brown spots on them and their skin is flaking, and one little guy (Charlie) was floating at the top of the tank not responding to me touching him at all. Normally if I touch him he'll swim off. I thought he was dead, and I took him out of the tank. It wasn't until he gasped for air while I was taking photos to post here that I realized he's still alive, albeit barely. I've got Charlie fridging right now, Lawrence (the other little guy) is still in his tank since he's much more active. The strangest thing is that my wild type girl is completely fine; not flaking, no scabs, active and happy. What do I do? What's making them sick and what can I do for them?
(note that the photo is taken with him out of the water because he looked dead, this guy is currently in a container in the fridge.)

The speckling of red dots and small blisters makes me suspect septicemia. This requires a visit to the vet ..the sooner the better.
Check your water parameters for Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite and also water temperature. If you are unable to test the water take a sample to your local aquatics centre. I personally would do a 50% water change with dechlorinated water just in case.

bellabelloo said:

The speckling of red dots and small blisters makes me suspect septicemia. This requires a visit to the vet ..the sooner the better.
Check your water parameters for Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite and also water temperature. If you are unable to test the water take a sample to your local aquatics centre. I personally would do a 50% water change with dechlorinated water just in case.

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I second this advice.


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Thank you for the advice. Unfortunately I woke up to find both boys had passed away in the night. I've thoroughly cleaned the tank, so hopefully my female will be fine. My poor little guys. I can't believe how quickly it happened.

So very sorry for your loss. Antibiotics are the only possible help, but septicaemia seems to strike very quickly indeed. Anyone able to explain what occurs? I know it's a systemic infection, but how does it start?