Getting rid of Fungus

[dogan]

I recently found out that my axolotl has fungus.
I just bought the aquarium salt, but the thing is i dont know what to do with it.
I have searched and could not find detailed instructions on what to do before and after the salt baths.

What do i do with the existing tank water? Do i have to take all the water out because of the fungus? clean the tank?

How do i give the axolotl the salt bath? How big should the tub i put the axolotl be?

Do i put the axolotl in the fridge while it is having its salt bath? or do i put it in the fridge after the salt bath?


Thank you,

Dogan.

 

[kapo]

Hi Dogan

If the tankwater is warmer than 20 degrees celcius and you're having a problem keeping the temperature down and maintaining it, hence the reason it's stressed and developing fungus then yes you can place it in the fridge straight after the saltbath.

Otherwise your axie can be put straight back in the tank as long as temperatures and water parameters are ok.

For fridging and saltbaths:

Use a foodsafe plastic container, with lid, like a 2l icecream container or margarine container - something that your axie will fit in lengthwise.


SALTBATHS - Need to be done 2-3 times per day (twice a day during the week/3 times a day on weekends):

Put dechlorinated water in the container (tapwater treated with water ager/conditioner/dechlorinator drops to remove chlorine and chloramines).

Add 2-3 teaspoons of salt per one litre (or two pints) of the dechlorinated water.

Give it a stir (or if the aquarium salts are chunky, crush them) until salt dissolves.

Remove your axie from the tank, place in the saltbath and cover with lid (so it doesn't jump out.

Leave your axie in the saltbath for 10-15minutes maximum, no longer.

Saltbath your axie twice a day until at least a week after the fungus drops off.

After the saltbath your axie can be returned to the tank, as long as tankwater temperature is below 20 degrees celcius.

Empty the saltbath water and clean the container using baking soda and water.

FRIDGING - your fridge should be minimum 5 degrees celcius:

While your axie is in the saltbath, prepare a bottle (softdrink kind) of dechlorinated water and place it in the fridge.

Use another plastic container with lid, add dechlorinated water to the container.

Once saltbath is finished scoop the axie out of the saltbath and into the fridge container.

Cover container with lid. Wrap with teatowel and place in the fridge.

The fridge container needs to be completely waterchanged daily (using the chilled dechlorinated water in the bottle).


============

You don't need to completely clean out your tank. You have to work out why your axie has fungus. Fungus develops when an axie is stressed. It may be water quality or temperature or a combination of both.

Test your water parameters for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. If nitrites or ammonia levels are above 0 just do a 20-30% waterchange to bring the toxins down. Don't add any chemicals.

What is your tankwater temperature, how big is your tank and does it have any companions?

 

[dogan]

SALTBATHS - Need to be done 2-3 times per day (twice a day during the week/3 times a day on weekends):

You don't need to completely clean out your tank. You have to work out why your axie has fungus. Fungus develops when an axie is stressed. It may be water quality or temperature or a combination of both.

What is your tankwater temperature, how big is your tank and does it have any companions?

How many minutes or hours between each saltbath?

There was vibration going to the tank, could that be it? the tanks temp was around 17. Also it was floating alot awhile ago, then it stopped, it was fine then it started floating again and then the fungus came.

Wouldnt there be fungus floating around in the tank? after the axy comes back from the saltbath, the fungus could just go and cling on her again cant it? I have just done probably a 50% water change and have moved its tank position to somewhere more calm.

the tank is pretty big, i dont have measuremens, but it is more than enough for 2 axolotls. Also it has no other companions, it is on its own.

 

[rigsby]

hi Dogan...the best method i find for treating fungus on axies may be a bit controversial but its tap water. I find it clears it in a couple of days..

 

[Kaysie]

When axolotls are stressed, they are more susceptible to illnesses, such as fungus. This is why it's important to find the root cause of the stress. Fungus is just a symptom of overall stress. Every day, axolotls (and people) are barraged by pathogens (fungus, bacteria, viruses, etc). When they are healthy, they can fend off any attack. When they're stressed, they can't fend these off as well and get sick as a result.

Salt baths should be equally spaced throughout the day.

 

[kapo]

What are your water parameters? How long have you had the tank setup and did you cycle it? Having it in a high traffic area can stress axies. We have 2 in high traffic areas, lounge, but moved them across the room so they're not constantly passed and cover the tanks. (top and sides).

If your axie continues to float, then I'd suggest putting it straight into the fridge for a week or so, do the full daily waterchanges and keep an extra bottle or 2 of dechlorinated water in the fridge as the saltbaths need to be chilled as well so the axie doesn't get stressed. You could keep 2 containers in the fridge, one marked saltbath, the other the fridge container. Move your axie from fridge container to the saltbath, but you have to change the saltbath water after each use (so if any fungus does come off, it will get tossed out).

Avoid doing too many large (50%+) waterchanges within a few days. If you're not sure about your water parameters (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate), then just do daily or every 2nd day 20% waterchanges.

 

[dogan]

If your axie continues to float, then I'd suggest putting it straight into the fridge for a week or so, do the full daily waterchanges and keep an extra bottle or 2 of dechlorinated water in the fridge as the saltbaths need to be chilled as well so the axie doesn't get stressed. You could keep 2 containers in the fridge, one marked saltbath, the other the fridge container. Move your axie from fridge container to the saltbath, but you have to change the saltbath water after each use (so if any fungus does come off, it will get tossed out).

Avoid doing too many large (50%+) waterchanges within a few days. If you're not sure about your water parameters (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate), then just do daily or every 2nd day 20% waterchanges.

Do i give it the salt bath in the fridge?
I only gave it that one big waterchange yesterday, so i could move it to a more suitable location. Now its in a more darker area, cooler area, and not much people enter there as much.

 

[kapo]

Only move your axie to the fridge if it's still floating. Yes you do saltbath while in the fridge, especially if it still has fungus. When you do the saltbath, swap your axie to the chilled saltbath, put the lid on and place both containers back in the fridge so they don't warm up to room temperature,(set a timer so you don't go over the time). Once saltbath is finished put axie back into fridge container and return to fridge. Empty the saltbath and rinse with baking soda and water, then refill with dechlorinated water make up a saltbath and place it back in the fridge for the next saltbath.

When you do the full daily waterchange on the axie container, place axie in the saltbath and return to fridge. While the axie is having its saltbath, empty out the axie container, wash with baking soda and water, refill with the chilled dechlorinated water from the bottle in the fridge. After the saltbath swap the axie back to the fresh container, replace lid, wrap with teatowel and place back in the fridge. Clean out saltbath container as above.

Make sure to refill the dechlorinated bottle of water and keep in the fridge too.

Have you tested your tankwater at all?

 

[dogan]

i havnt tested the tankwater.Thats why ive been giving it daily 20% water changes. The petshops i go to all have pH test kits and those crappy test strip tests.

anyway i had a look in its tank, and i found a clump of fungus on the floor, i took it out straight away.
Ill start the saltbaths today.

Thanks for all the help!