I just don't understand...please help..

[cherryglue]

OP, I'd isolate your axolotl with the gill issue in a separate tub of cold, clean water. See if you can gently suck the stuff away with a turkey baster, because it still might just be what Elise mentioned. If it comes off easily, then I wouldn't worry. From the image you shared, it doesn't seem to be fungus...

Will do

 

[layna]

If you axie is having slime coat issues, id add a cup of plain tea (no flavours or milk ect) to the tank and id also use a dechlorinator with aloe in it.
The aloe soothes the skin and build up their slime coat more
As for the tea in the tank, this will just be moved eventually with water changes.
You could also add some indian almond leaves, these contain mild anti fungal properties and can help to prevent problems in an axie tank.
Or drift wood/ mopani wood will also release tannins to help their slime coat.

I would honestly advise you to keep your axie in a container with tea in his dechlorinated water (you will need to do 100% daily water changes on his tub, its easier to have two tubs and transfer him to the fresh one)

Then separately, buy some pure ammonia, wack the ammonia in the tank up to 4ppm and cycle it without the lottle in.
This method will be quicker, you wont have to worry about harming your lottle, and you know that once its cycled he can go in it and be happy, healthy and safe
Its also easier in my opinion as all you have to do is fill up a tub daily, instead of doing 30% water changes on a full tank...

A lot of problems with axies is due to them not being in a healthy cycled tank, and whilst your trying to 'fix' him AND cycle your tank together, your going to be very frustrated and stressed with different problems happening.

 

[Petersgirl]

I would honestly advise you to keep your axie in a container with tea in his dechlorinated water (you will need to do 100% daily water changes on his tub, its easier to have two tubs and transfer him to the fresh one)

That's a rather nifty idea, Layna! Sure saves time.

I agree with Layna on the tea bath front. It can't hurt and soothes their skin. Here's the recipe, although Layna explained it well:

ea bath for axolotls
Contributed by Daniel Weiner, August 2007.

I mainly use teabaths for minor skin problems. It may also be used with fungal problems but on that account I prefer salt baths. Tea has a slightly antifungal and antibacterial effect (resulting from tannins) and additionally it closes the pores in the skin a little bit (mainly resulting from tannin and caffeine). The skin tightens and gets some kind of protective layer, making it harder for fungi and bacteria to intrude the body. On the other hand it makes it harder for salt or medicine to reach pathogens which are already inside the body - that is the reason I do not use it on fungal infections, although a tea bath is sometimes recommended as a cure for fungal infections by some people.
The medication is as follows: I take one bag of black tea without any additional aroma (it is important to use black tea because this kind of tea is fermented and so it has tannins) for every 10 litres of water (preferably used in a quarantine tank). This tea gets dashed with boiling water in a seperate bowl - I leave it there for at least 10 to 15 minutes so the tannins are resolved into the water. The tea has to cool down and is finally added to the quarantine water. After a week I make a bigger change of water (60% at least), the rest of the tea is removed over time by normal water changes. If you have to make more regular water changes (f.i. in a small bowl or tank) the tea concentration can be refilled. As far as I know there are no negative effects even for long term treatment.
A similar effect (although not as strong) may have the addition of dried oak or beech leafs now and then as a precaution.
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