HELP Axie, Fungus, Salt in Tank. Have I done the right thing?

J

jodi

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Can someone please help? I've had my axolotls for nearly a year and we've moved cities in Feb. Since we moved I've been worried about my smaller axolotl (Pablo)... The gills are constantly curled forward and I've done all the tests. I seem to be battling alkalinity and I don't know why. Temp I am managing to keep at about 23-25C. Anyway, my white one (Don Juan) has been fine until now. Whereas Pablo has been worrying me for ages with spouts on inappetance and not growing very well, Don Juan has coped well. Today I notice terrible terrible fungus all over the left side of the face. I swear it wasn't there yesterday. I've just now cleaned the gravel, done a 30% water change (it evaporates quickly as we have a pedestal fan on 24/7). The aquarium I went to told me to add deionised salt, which I have done. But now I'm worried - it says on here to do salt baths and remove. Not to add to the tank. Have I done the wrong thing? I'm so worried about the both of them. Is it possible aquarium snails would have passed on the fungus...
 
Do not add the salt to the tank as it will start to burn your axies after 15 mins which will just make everything worse. you need to put your axie in the fridge and change water everyday. Do salt baths twice daily for 10 mins. Add 2-3 teaspoons of salt per litre. Put two extra bottles in the fridge with dechlorinated water so that when you change the water it will be the same temperature and when doing salt baths it will be the same temp. Remember when it is in the fridge put your axie in a seperate container when giving salt baths. Leave your axie in the fridge for about 3 more days after fungus has gone to prevent it from coming back. Don't worry if your axie doesn't eat while in the fridge cause when its cold they have a slow metabolism but heal much better.

hope this helps
 
Your axie got fungus as it was stressed due probably to heat fluctuations. When stressed an axies immune system is lowered and they become susceptible to fungus.

I know you can add salt to your tank, Jennifer Macke has commented on a few threads about it. But saltbaths that Jay mentioned are also good.

What is your alkaline reading? Just that axies can live in pH 6.8-8.0 So try not to use any ph up or down chemicals as these are only temporary fixes and can muck your tank up. If your pH is 8.0 end of the scale and you have traces of ammonia in your tank then the ammonia toxicity is far more toxic. This can be combatted through daily partial waterchanges 30% max. to keep the levels safe.
 
Do you think that seeings as I just added 50L of fresh water in, that it will help? I've noticed they are more active already...
 
I have kept axies for 10 years. I would tend to follow Jay's advice as i have done similar in the past. Although I have never had an axy with fungus, I have kept them in the fridge to cure constipation, not eating, that sort of thing. For the heat I keep 2L bottles of ice in the freezer and put them in periodically - it's not great but it's better than nothing.
 
I would put him in the fridge...same thing happened to my albino, fine one day and huge amounts of fungus the next day, dead shortly after
sad.gif
....so I think immediate action is required!
Fridge and salt baths seems to be working from my brown baby...I was hesitant because he was under weight, but he has eaten a little and his eyes are clearer.
Maybe the frozen water bottles may be a good idea (make sure you remove all the glue!)? It gets very hot here too...I try to keep mine at 17 - 18 degrees...good luck and keep us posted.
Any chance of a picture or two?
 
Gosh, I forgot to check this thread all that time ago. You will see i've posted a new one, and yes I'd love to get some photos of them on here. better get cracking!

The fungus is under control but it's my poor little Pablo i'm worried about. No improvements there and I think he/she is dying...
 
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