Does this look like fungus?

[Caesar]

Hey, so my axolotl is currently in a food-safe, Bpa free plastic container while his tank is getting fixed. I refresh the water with 100% dechlorinated, cold water every day. Also, He has been eating well and the temperature is at 66F.
Today, I noticed that two of his left gills have some sort of slime on it.
I am not completely sure this is fungus, and don't want to rush into a salt bath but let me know if it is needed!!
I definitely don't want to wait until it's too late.

(sorry in advance for these weird black lines in the photo, but the fungus part is pretty clear.)

 

[danicc]

Hi Sam
I am sorry to hear about your axie.
I can not be 100% sure just with the pic, and without a culture or cytology, but it looks like a water mould growth. There has to be something causing stress to the animal, either a water quality parameter, temperature, oxygen, etc
Some people will tell you to place him in the fridge, as this will stop the fungal growth; however, this also significantly slows down the metabolism of your axie.
In my personal experience, I would try to do water changes daily (make sure the water you are using is OK. I use bottled water or rain water) and keep him on the cold end of acceptable temperatures (16-18 C). I also do some baths with diluted f10 or itraconazole, but you might need to see a vet, who might want to do cytology or cultures to see what is going on. The trouble is that very often there is no primary parhogen, so rhe important thing is to work out what is stressing him out.
Good luck, dan

 

[Caesar]

Hi Sam
I am sorry to hear about your axie.
I can not be 100% sure just with the pic, and without a culture or cytology, but it looks like a water mould growth. There has to be something causing stress to the animal, either a water quality parameter, temperature, oxygen, etc
Some people will tell you to place him in the fridge, as this will stop the fungal growth; however, this also significantly slows down the metabolism of your axie.
In my personal experience, I would try to do water changes daily (make sure the water you are using is OK. I use bottled water or rain water) and keep him on the cold end of acceptable temperatures (16-18 C). I also do some baths with diluted f10 or itraconazole, but you might need to see a vet, who might want to do cytology or cultures to see what is going on. The trouble is that very often there is no primary parhogen, so rhe important thing is to work out what is stressing him out.
Good luck, dan

I am not sure how to keep the water temperature down that low, I am doing it now by using evaporation. (I live in Florida). I have never heard of a water mould growth, the stress might be from moving him back into the container for the second time...

Will purified water by the gallon be better?
What is the negative of slowing down his metabolism?

Thanks for your help

 

[Caesar]

Update: these are the parameters in my tank (not where my axolotl currently is)
Ammonia-0ppm
Nitrite-0ppm
Nitrate-40ppm
pH- 8.8+ (My ph is REALLY high)

Any ways to fix this?

 

[danicc]

Hi Sam
Sorry I have been a bit busy.
So if you slow down his metabolism, his immuno-system is also less active.
If you need to change the pH, I would do initial daily water changes (of 1/3 of the water) and make sure the water you are using has the right pH.