Illness/Sickness: Fungus! & salt baths

[mel86]

Hi,
We have 5 axolotls that were in the same tank, one started to get fungus on its gills and my partner moved it to another tank the other 4 are fine however the sick one (spike) seems to be getting worse the pet shop told us to use pimafix I have been doing it now for 2 days according to the directions but the fungus seems to be getting worse...and he has lost alot of weight he trys to eat when I offer food but can't seem to open his mouth and get it in.
I was wondering with the salt bath how often should I do it and is it ok to put him back in the tank after its done, when the pimafix is in it or would it be better to put him back in the tank with the other axolotl or would this make them sick aswell???
Please help he isn't in a good way at all....
Thank you

 

[Jacquie]

Hi Mel86,

Most medicines designed to treat fungus on fish are toxic to axolotls and should not be used.

Treatments of any sort should never be added directly to the tank. Treatments should always be given in a separate container and the sick axolotl should be isolated in 'quarantine' to prevent the fungus spreading to the other axolotls.

Salt Bath Procedure:

Salt baths need to be given 2-3 times daily.

Prepare a container of fresh dechlorinated water. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt per litre of water. Leave axolotl in the bath for about 10 minutes, no more than 15 minutes though as the salt will start to damage the gills and skin.

I would also fridge the sick axololt, the fridge will aid in relaxing and healing the axolotl. Fridging will also help inhibit the fungus.

Set fridge for at least 5 degrees celcius - no lower. Prepare another tub of fresh dechlorinated water to house the axolotl while in the fridge. Also put bottles of dechlorinated water in the fridge as these will be used for the 100% water changes that will need to be done daily while the axie is in the fridge. This fridged water will also be used for the salt baths.

- the idea is to keep the water at a constant temperature so the axie does not suffer from temperature shocks.

Could you post a photo of the sick axie?

If you could also provide detail on your water parameters (Ammonia reading most important), tank setup, tank size and temperature of the water that would be most helpful.

Keep us posted.

Cheers Jacq.

 

[mel86]

Hi,
Thank you for your response I gave him a salt bath this morning and he seemed to be a lot more active and even ate a small piece of chicken, the ammonia level was 0ppm, ph was 7.4, nitrite was 0.25ppm. Unfortunately I went out for an hour and when I got home to take a photo of him, he was completely covered with fungus, and had died.
Sorry I forgot to add his tank was 2ft (60L), temp was 10 degrees celcius, and we had him just over a fortnight.