Axolotl with fungus infection

[BasilBear]

Hi everyone!

My axolotl ,Bear, has had a lingering fungus infection for a while now (a very small infection that comes and goes only on the tip of his gills on one side of his head). After re-researching I now realize that I I should of tubbed him sooner instead of waiting a while. Why I have waited this long is beacuase Bear has been known to get stressed (very) easily especially regarding tubbing. My question is, would there be anyway to help his fungus from inside of his tank so I don’t have to take him out. Also, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Indian almond leaves and if I could keep those inside of his tank and if they work that well, because I got mixed messages from my research. Lastly, if I did decide to tub him I was wondering if I have to put an air stone in. In the past when I tubbed him I never used one but he has grown since then so I’m open to second opinions If any of you guys have any recommendations for a good airstone that would be amazing!
Thank you everyone so much for reading this message it really means alot to me and Bear.

 

[WaterLily05]

Hi everyone!

My axolotl ,Bear, has had a lingering fungus infection for a while now (a very small infection that comes and goes only on the tip of his gills on one side of his head). After re-researching I now realize that I I should of tubbed him sooner instead of waiting a while. Why I have waited this long is beacuase Bear has been known to get stressed (very) easily especially regarding tubbing. My question is, would there be anyway to help his fungus from inside of his tank so I don’t have to take him out. Also, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Indian almond leaves and if I could keep those inside of his tank and if they work that well, because I got mixed messages from my research. Lastly, if I did decide to tub him I was wondering if I have to put an air stone in. In the past when I tubbed him I never used one but he has grown since then so I’m open to second opinions If any of you guys have any recommendations for a good airstone that would be amazing!
Thank you everyone so much for reading this message it really means alot to me and Bear.

I have zero first hand experience with fungus. I believe the majority of the time fungus is linked to poor water quality or stress. Sometimes the stress can be due to things we may not even think of. Indian Almond leaves release tannins, which have anti bacterial properties and help prevent infections. I would recommend tubbing with almond leaves and regularly (maybe even daily) water changes. In such a small space an air pump may cause more stress.


What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)?
What kind of filtration do you have?
What chemicals do you use in your tank?
How is your tank setup? Could I see a photo?
Do you have other tank mates?

If the fungus is caused by stress, finding the cause of that stress will help prevent it in the future.

 

[BasilBear]

Hi, thank you so much for responding and I am so sorry for the late response! Bear is better! He is on his second day of tubbing with Indian almond leaves I just did a water change on the aquarium today and the levels are-
PH: 7.2
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40

I know that both ammonia and nitrates are high so I bought some aquarium plants and hopefully after I put them in they will help lower those things.
He has a aquaclear hang on back filter size 30 (he is in 20 gallon aquarium). As far as the stuff in his aquarium he has one large hide, on tunnel, one big fake (silk) plant, one smal fake (silk) plant, a hammock and a sign that says no fishing. He doesn’t have any tank mates.
I don’t know exactly what you mean by chemicals, but I of course use dechlorinator (seachum prime) and I also give him a little bit of a biological booster with each water change. Here is the link for the company I use- https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-biological-booster

Again thank you so much for helping and being so helpful!

 

[WaterLily05]

Hi, thank you so much for responding and I am so sorry for the late response! Bear is better! He is on his second day of tubbing with Indian almond leaves I just did a water change on the aquarium today and the levels are-

I am glad he is doing better!

I know that both ammonia and nitrates are high so I bought some aquarium plants and hopefully after I put them in they will help lower those things.

Those should help a lot, both with water parameters and helping him feel more secure. What kind of plants did you get?

I don’t know exactly what you mean by chemicals, but I of course use dechlorinator (seachum prime) and I also give him a little bit of a biological booster with each water change. Here is the link for the company I use- https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-biological-booster

That sounds good. Some people dump salt or PH up/down or medicines all the time.

Again thank you so much for helping and being so helpful!

I hope my advice helped!

 

[BasilBear]

Aw it did! I got a nana Anubias and a java fern I was also wondering if you knew how I would wash the plants before putting them in the tank so I don’t get any hitch hikers. The person at the store said to just rinse them in tap water but I wasn’t sure if that was right. Once again I really appreciate your advice.

 

[WaterLily05]

Aw it did! I got a nana Anubias and a java fern I was also wondering if you knew how I would wash the plants before putting them in the tank so I don’t get any hitch hikers. The person at the store said to just rinse them in tap water but I wasn’t sure if that was right. Once again I really appreciate your advice.

You can bleach dip them if you are worried about snails and such!