Question: Golden Albino - fungus or bacteria?

Hello, forum,

I recently acquired a nice female golden albino axolotl. I've had her for about a month and during the last three days I've been noticing some peculiar-looking growths coming out from her skin. I must apologize for not providing good pictures for I do not have an adequate camera that is able to capture what I will be discussing.... so far I have been unable to find threds or pictures that describe similar symptoms.

Behaviour and eating habbits: completely normal.

She seems to have thin, transparent, hair-like growths (about .5 CM) erupting vertically from about 5 different places of her body (including between the gills, behind the gills (on the torso), and one on her right "elbow").

These growths are not all similar either: the ones on her gills appear to have small, transparent "branches" that look like bronchioles.
The growth on her elbow sticks out vertically and splits into two (like a "Y"). It is erupting from a small reddish bump.

Additionally, she has developed what looks like a sore on the back of her head-- See picture
(Don't worry, I don't keep her in this small bowl)

<img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/1zb5pgl.jpg">


I am becoming increasingly concerned with my axolotl because I do not know what exactly she has. Is this fungus, bacteria, or something else?

If anyone has any informatin that may help me in trying to cure her, please let me know.

Thank you,
Alfonso

I cannot see your photo attachment.

From your description, the first thing i thought of were anchorworms. They are a type of parasite.

As a general rule, fungus infection looks wispy and cotton like in appearance. Bacteria infections tends to result in abscesses or microabsesses. Viral infections tend to have few external visible signs but result in clinical signs like inappetance and odd behaviour. However, to be certain, other diagnostic tests have to employed.

Search the forums with the keyword anchorworms. There are photos posted by others there. I have answered a few in great detail with how to treat them if it is indeed the case.

Thanks a lot, man. They are indeed anchorworms and I am currently working on getting rid of them.

Once again, thank you.

Yes I would say anchorworms :crazy:

Does this work???

The photo isn't the best resolution but i can see the red lesion on the head. That is definitely pathology and not pigmentation.

Try posting more photos of the anchorworms on the body if you can so i can make a definitive diagnosis. Once verified, you can continue with dimilin treatment.

As for the lesion on the head, i suspect the axie may have a secondary sepsis problem. Sometimes anchorworms allow opportunisitic bacteria to gain entry though the tiny wound sites where they attach.

Fridge your axie (3 weeks at least) and i would highly recommend you bring it to a vet for a shot of antibiotics.

Many early septicaemia cases first present as an innocuous red lesion or patch. These petechial or ecchymotic patches are an indication something is not quite right in the bloodstream - coagulation, platelet, immune mediated or sepsis.