Blister or fungus - advice needed

[Little Monster]

My axolotl has some kind of blister/fungus on his side. I just noticed it this morning, but had been away for a couple of days before that so it might have been there since then. I've moved him to a small, cool tank with fresh water as an immediate measure.

Here's the full story:

I've had him for nearly 2 years, and had no similar problems before. At the end of January I moved back home to my parents' house temporarily, so my axie's been living in their less-than-ideal, and quite warm, kitchen. I've been having trouble with the tank cycling (like never before)- still some ammonia now and then, but also nitrites and nitrates. Up until now he's seemed to be ok - maybe a bit pale in the gills sometimes.

My question is: how should I carry on now? Is this a fungus, or something else? Should I clean his main tank out? Does it need to be sterilised or anything if there's fungus? How do I care for him? I'm assuming to just keep him cool in fresh water. Do I need to treat the blister/fungus at all?

I know there are threads out there on this, I just want to check I'm doing the right thing! As you can see from the photos, it looks quite painful for my poor axie

Thank you all so much.

 

[auntiejude]

That looks more like scraped skin or bacterial infection that fungus.

Do you have any idea how it happened?

The best treatment would be indian almond leaves - just bung one in his tub. It will turn the water yellowy brwn but hats OK.

You won't get rid of any bacteria or fungus in the tank, and TBH it's not worth it as it won't affect a healthy axie.

If you don't have any axies in your tank now you need to remember to feed your tank while your axie is in the tub or your cycle will crash.

 

[Little Monster]

Ok - thanks for replying! That's helpful.

He has a large ceramic (?) log in his tank that I've seen him trying to squeeze past a few times. I moved the log away from the sides so he wouldn't keep doing this, but maybe he's done it anyway? It's hard to tell.

Any idea where to get indian almond leaves? Could I do a tea bath? I've heard not to do these if there's any fungus, so (since I'm not really sure what that white stuff on the wound is??), should I avoid tea? I want to help him as soon as I can :S

Thanks again for your help!

 

[auntiejude]

Indian almond leaves are available on ebay - just get the cheapest grade. They are mildly antiseptic - good for both mild bacterial infections and fungus.

Tea and salt bathing are quite specific, unless you can definitley identify what the problem is indian almond leaves are a good start.

 

[Little Monster]

Ok - great! I'll order those now and give them a go as soon as they get here. I'm guessing he'll be ok in his little tank till then w/ daily water changes?

Thanks again.