Help with treating fungus please

[kurlytop1976]

I have 2 baby axolotls, probably close to 3 inches in length. They have been doing great, eating well, no problems with temp (stays about 66') seeing I have fan circulating air.They are in the same 10 gallon tank with a divider. I noticed yesterday that one of them had white "fuzz" on his gills. I immediately recognized this and have already started fridging and salt baths. My concern is the other axolotl. She does not appear to have any fungus and both are acting fine. I was going to empty and clean the tank and everything in it today, change filter, then put back the healthy axolotl after all is "safe." Is this the best route to take? I can not figure out what cause the fungus as I have not changed anything. Also should I fridge her at all just to be safe? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Olivia97]

Have you checked your parameters? It's possible poor water quality is to blame. Is the tank cycled? If you take everything out and scrub (including your filter) this will disrupt the cycle.

 

[Kaysie]

Fungus is usually opportunistic. If one animal is stressed (overcrowding, poor water quality, competing for food, etc.), and another nips a gill, it's more likely to get fungus than a generally healthy axie.

Water quality is important, especially in a small tank. 10 gallons isn't very big for 6 inches of axolotl, and it certainly won't be adequate for very much longer. Testing your water quality is important. Ammonia and nitrites can build to toxic levels pretty quickly. Do you have enough hides in your tank? Visual barriers are often important to lessen stress.

 

[kurlytop1976]

I think I have a pretty decent tank set up. Lots of plants and hides. The water levels are good, just checked again today. I'm happy to say when I took him out of the fridge tonight the "fuzz" had come off his gills, which is good seeing its only been 24 hrs. I caught it in the very beginning, and he is still eating as well. My other axolotl still looks fine but I will continue to keep a close eye on her. I took your advice and did not clean out the whole tank. Guess I'm just bring paranoid. Hate for my babies to be ill. Any idea how long to continue salt baths and fridging? Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Kaysie]

Continue to do salt baths for a day after the fungus is gone.

 

[kurlytop1976]

Thanks so much Kaysie. I purchased a 20 gallon tank today and several more plants and hides per your advice. I want my axies to be in the healthiest environment possible.