Ive had my axolotl Manuel for a few months and hes recently become very sick.
He has what I am fairly sure is columnaris. It started as a little white patch of his leg, now the leg is completely covered in white/grey fluff. It has also spread to the end of his tail. 2-3cm of the tail is about to break off, its just hanging by a thread. I have also noticed some red rawness developing on the original white patches.
Went to a large, respected aquarium and spoke to a guy with a lot of axolotl experience. He devised a treatment plan for me using a multi-purpose med (active ingredient malachite green). He told me to put the axolotl is a shallow dish of water, and apply the med directly to the skin of effected areas. Axolotl is then returned to hospital tank with clean water which I keep darkened and cool.
This is meant to happen once a day for a week. He's had his third treatment this morning. After doing a lot of research on the net, the general consensus is that malachite green should NEVER be used on axolotls. The guy at the store was so confident that this is the way to go, and he seemed to really know axolotls. So who do I believe????????
Manuel certainly doesnt seem any worse for wear after the malachite green treatments- he ate his first earthworm in a week yesterday. The fungus isnt showing any signs of decreasing though.
Should I continue on till the end of the week or start fridge/salt baths? It sounds silly but Ive become really attached to him as my first axolotl died young. I'll do whatever it takes to save him. Please help me
He has what I am fairly sure is columnaris. It started as a little white patch of his leg, now the leg is completely covered in white/grey fluff. It has also spread to the end of his tail. 2-3cm of the tail is about to break off, its just hanging by a thread. I have also noticed some red rawness developing on the original white patches.
Went to a large, respected aquarium and spoke to a guy with a lot of axolotl experience. He devised a treatment plan for me using a multi-purpose med (active ingredient malachite green). He told me to put the axolotl is a shallow dish of water, and apply the med directly to the skin of effected areas. Axolotl is then returned to hospital tank with clean water which I keep darkened and cool.
This is meant to happen once a day for a week. He's had his third treatment this morning. After doing a lot of research on the net, the general consensus is that malachite green should NEVER be used on axolotls. The guy at the store was so confident that this is the way to go, and he seemed to really know axolotls. So who do I believe????????
Manuel certainly doesnt seem any worse for wear after the malachite green treatments- he ate his first earthworm in a week yesterday. The fungus isnt showing any signs of decreasing though.
Should I continue on till the end of the week or start fridge/salt baths? It sounds silly but Ive become really attached to him as my first axolotl died young. I'll do whatever it takes to save him. Please help me