Illness/Sickness: Is my axolotl sick?

[Zp00ky]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the forum and have been caring for a four of axolotls for about nine months now. I recently acquired a juvenile axi off of a member and am nursing it back to health as it was previously in a tank with larger axis and was getting its hands chewed on. I've had in for about a month and a half now and all appeared to be going well until today when I noticed it had white fuzz on both it's gills and they were all fluffed out. I also noticed a white spot on its underside. Very lethargic today and seems to have lost its appetite. I do weekly 20% water changes. Temp is around 68F. Barebottom 10 gall tank to itself with a small HOB filter. Should I treat it with a salt bath? Suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[salamandergod]

Looks like its a fungus. I would give him/her salt baths and put him/her in the fridge until the fungus goes away.

 

[Zp00ky]

So I was going to put it in a large Tupperware bowl in a saltwater bath for 15 mins. Is th correct? Please elaborate salamander god regarding the placement in the fridge. For how long in the fridge. Doesn't the salt water bath start to harm the axi if left in it for more than 15 mins?

 

[HayleyK]

There's a sticky in the sick axolotl section that outlines what needs to be done. It's very informative.

A salt bath is very irritating so leaving the axolotl in longer than recommended isn't good.

 

[auntiejude]

You shouldn't need to fridge an axie just for fungus, follow the tutorial but at room temp.

 

[Petersgirl]

Here is your guide, complete with pictures: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...axolotl/72698-salt-bath-picture-tutorial.html

I would follow the instructions given here but keep her/him (looks a bit like a her from here, but I don't know hold old she is so I can't be sure) in her normal tank between baths. Feed earthworms if you have them as often as she will take them, and keep her water parameters stable. Also keep her cool and dark.

When all the fungus is gone and you no longer need to salt bath it may be advisable to try tea baths to soothe the skin damaged by the salt - but please be sure you no longer need to pursue treatment for fungus, as the tea prevents medication such as salt getting through as easily. Here is the tea bath recipe:

• Tea 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.
  ​

After this, she should hopefully be much better! Keep us updated please

 

[Zp00ky]

Thanks for all the good advice. I've read and followed the salt bath treatment and after two treatments, she is looking a lot better. I haven't been fringing and I have put her back in her 10 gal tank after treatment. Is that ok? The only concern I have with that is that she swims like crazy for about two minutes after being put back in the main tank. Not acclimatized enough or is it something else?

 

[xxianxx]

Its stressed after being salt bathed. This is one of the reasons I use almond leaves rather than salt bathing on mild fungal infections.