Question: Clear stuff on my axies.

[Plonk]

I have 2 axies in a 4ft tank,with 150litres of water and I have discovered that they both have some sort of clear stuff coming off them, its all over them. Im not sure what it is. I caught my 2 year old nephew splashing in the tank 2 weeks ago. Also there are brown spots on the sides of the tank. I do weekly 20% water changes. I have bought some multi cure today which aids in the treatment of white spot,velvet disease and fungal diseases. I bought it just in case its needed. If I mix it up to what it says the water will be green. Is this stuff ok to use?

 

[Jacquie]

Please do not use medication designed for fish on axolotls, particuarly if the medicine contains any 'malachite green' - this stuff is deadly to axolotls.

Treatments should never be added directly to the aquarium, all treatments should be conducted in quarantine conditions such as in a plastic tub, small quarantine tank etc.

Could you provide some more detail on the 'clear stuff' all over them? A photo would be most helpful.

Are the axolotls eating?

Are they behaving normally?

What are your water parameters for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate?

 

[Plonk]

Thanx for your reply, the clear stuff looks like saliva and when they swim it comes off them stringy like. I have taken pics but it doesnt seem to show up. They are eating fine and doing what axies do best. Their gills arent pointing forward either. They are eating well too.
Im not sure on my parameters, I will have to take a trip to my proper aquarium shop tomorrow (I missed their opening hours today). Small fish shop sold me the stuff said its ok to use on my axies, will be calling them tomorrow and going off. Im so glad I havent put the stuff in the tank.

 

[Jacquie]

It sounds like it may just be skin shedding, axies do this fairly frequently and often while we are not looking - you've caught them out lol.

If they are eating well and displaying no signs of stress, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Plonk]

Thanx again for your reply. What should I do about the brown spots besides wiping them away?

 

[Jacquie]

Thanx again for your reply. What should I do about the brown spots besides wiping them away?

The brown spots sound like they may be algae. Algae can be wiped off, however this article provides tactics on how to deal with tank invaders such as algae and to prevent them returning after removal: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Tank_critters.shtml.

 

[Plonk]

Thanx, have a good night.