Please help! Axolotl gill shrinking and turning white - injury or fungal infection?

[Goliad]

Hey guys

My over the last three days I have closely watched my axolotl and one of her gills is shrinking and has turned white. The hand on the same side of this gill has white patches with a very red spot in the middle. Have a look at the pictures - is it fungal or has it become infected due to injuries?


I keep the pH at 7 always
I change 20% of the water every 2-3 days
I have been doing 25% water changes over the last 3 days
Could possibly have raised ammonia levels, getting a test kit tomorrow
I always clean her poop and food immediately after she is done!
Stable temperature, she usually swims around and is very happy, now she flicks her gills and her arm is raised, she seems to be trying to scratch her gill with her hind leg


Please let me know if I need to give her salt baths or medicine


Thanks!

 

[Goliad]

Here is a picture of her poor little gill

 

[Goliad]

Pic of her (injured?) hand and the White gill

 

[Zobug]

Hmmm... From the quality of the pictures, I can't really tell you much. Is there any way you can get higher quality pictures to post here? That might help us determine what's going on with your lil one.

Now for the questions... Is your tank cycled? Once you get your test kit tomorrow (I'd get a liquid test kit, such as the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, since they're more accurate than strips) could you post your parameters?

Has she injured herself recently to any of your knowledge? Does the gill that's turning white look fluffy or cotton-y at all in appearance? If so, it may be fungus, which is very treatable with correct water conditions.

Finally, keep an eye on the hand and if it appears to get more red, I would strongly suggest seeking out the expertise of a vet to rule out septicemia, which would require antibiotics to cure.

So, without better pictures, that's what I've got for you. Best of luck to your baby and you, and keep us up to date on her health.