High nitrates, white gill stalk tip

[haydenad]

Hi,

Today when I woke up I noticed one of my axies gill stalks had a white tip. I checked the parameters and the nitrates were really high - it looked darker than 80, but not as dark as 160 ppm (API liquid test kit).

Nitrites and ammonia are both at zero. pH is at 6.6, which is normal for the tank, and temperature is consistently between 18-20C. I'm doing a large water change, but i just wanted to make sure that the white on the end of their gill stalk isn't a fungus or anything.

 

[Donna001]

Hi there,
From the picture it looks more like the tip of his gill stalk, and doesn't look fluffy enough for fungus. However, I'd strongly recommend getting more advice from the experienced keepers/breeders.

 

[haydenad]

Thanks for the reply! That's what I figured, but I wanted to make sure. The feathery parts of that stalk where it's white are gone too, but I'm not sure how/why it would do that. Could it be due to how high the nitrates were?

After doing probably ~60% water change I got the nitrates down to ~20PPM, so that's a lot better.

 

[CPL]

This sometimes happens with my axolotl & it goes back to normal. My theory is that they cut the blood supply to that part of the gill to stop fungus as a natural defence.

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

 

[Donna001]

Ideally do frequent water changes and have your nitrates at no greater that your tap water baseline + 20ppm. Small frequent water changes are better for your axie than large water changes.

How is the gill tip looking now? Still the same or has the colour started to return?

 

[haydenad]

The gill looks a bit better, the white part kinda moves around a bit. It also looks a little shriveled at the end.

For nitrates, i've started doing small water changes every other day or so and it's helping. I think i might get some quick growing plants to help. Anyone have suggestions? I already have an anubias, java fern, and some java moss.

 

[Holly12]

Exact same thing happened to my guy a month ago. Woke up and he had a white gill tip and the feathers were missing off the top. It did appear a bit shriveled at one point too.
Kept up with my 50% water changes weekly and kept his temps between 16 and 18 and a month later, you'd never know anything was wrong. It was adorable when the feathers were growing back. Little spikes.
My guess is it maybe caught on something or got pinched. One of his rocks did tip over and I wonder if it was pinched a bit.

As long as he's acting fine otherwise and it doesn't get worse, just keep up with your maintenance to keep the water clean and keep his temps optimal I've heard cooler is better for healing, (so maybe aim for 16?) and he should be fine in a month or two.

Quick growers are also Duck weed and Hornwort. I have both floating in my tank and they help shade the light.

Pics below of the white gill and now:

 

[haydenad]

Thanks!! I'll definitely try to get some of one or both of those in the next week or so!

By the way, your little friend is super cute!

 

[Holly12]

Thanks!! I love him/her!

 

[craspee]

Hi! My lotl has what appears to be exactly the same thing going on with their gills, did it ever go away on yours? What should I be doing to help?