Re: sick axolotle.

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hi There. I am a new owner of 2 axolotls. One has picked up a columnaris fungas on his mouth and foot. I have only had him for about 2 weeks. I have been to 3 aquariums who have all given me different answers. I am currently treating him with Melafix every day for 7 days and also I take him out and soak him in Rock salt and 2 litres of water for about 5 to 10 minutes a day for 3 days. The other axolotle is doing fine. My main concern is he is not eating. I have only started treating him yesterday for this fungas. I have cleaned the tank by taking half the water out, vacuming the gravel and adding stress syme. He is about 7 inches long so not sure if he is fully grown yet. I have been feeding them blood worm, live small fish, frozen liver heart and pellets. I am worried about him not eating, help what else can I do? Thanks Carol.

 

[Genome42]

Re: sick axolotle.

This post should be in the axolotl section below

I would say that treatment of fungus should be only salt baths and fridging until the fungus is gone. Chemical treatments are generally meant for fish and are usually not suitable for amphibians-despite advice from many aquariums! (But solutions which remove cholorines and choloramines are fine!)

If one axolotl is affected but the other is fine they should be kept seperate, preferably by fridging your affected axie. There are plenty of posts on the fridging technique if you use the search utility.

Also you mention gravel as your substrate-gravel in most forms is bad news for axies unless it is really large (bigger then their entire head!) they will swallow it and this will cause more problems in the future. Sand or a bare bottom are the most safe substrate choices.

i hope this helps and your axie makes a full recovery!

 

[Genome42]

Re: sick axolotle.

I have just done a quick search and it appears melafix is just a 1% tea tree oil solution. I don't know about the safety of using this on amphibains but im sure someone else would be able to help you with that.

The stress zyme treatment is something which i wouldn't advocate. This is unlikely to cycle your tank properly leading to increases in ammonia and poor water quality, which may be the reason for your fungus problem.

 

[oregon newt]

Re: sick axolotle.

I wouldn't use melafix. Axolotls are sensitive to chemicals.

 

[Connie]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hi Carol! Thanks for bringing yourself to my attention. Good luck with your new little ones. Mine (although I'm not sure yet if it is an Axolotle) is eating so I feel that is a good sign. It gets very enthused about earth worms. I stopped the Melafix due to a recommendation, looks like you were told the same. I used sea salt for the bath, will do a fourth treatment today. Most of the fungus is off, but looking closely, there is still a little bit close to the skin, or lack there of. Some skin (on the front legs) was eaten off by the fish in the pet store, because they were eating away at the gills. I guess the Stress Zyme may not be a good idea either. I'll watch your progress. Hope everything turns out okay!

 

[Jacquie]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hi Carol and welcome to the forum,

One has picked up a columnaris fungas on his mouth and foot. I have only had him for about 2 weeks.

Could you provide your water parameters - Ammonia / Nitrite / Nitrate / PH? The readings for Ammonia and Nitrite are the most important, both should be zero. What is the temperature of your tank? Water conditions and temperature are the major contributors to fungus.

I have been to 3 aquariums who have all given me different answers. I am currently treating him with Melafix every day for 7 days.

Please cease using any fungal medication designed for fish - most are toxic to axies - in particular any with 'Malachite Green'. Medication with Methylene Blue however is considered safe for axies. Salt baths are the best method by far.

and also I take him out and soak him in Rock salt and 2 litres of water for about 5 to 10 minutes a day for 3 days.

I would give him a salt bath twice to three a times a day until the fungus is gone (2 teaspoons of salt per litre). Leave him in the salt bath for 10 minutes, but no longer than 15 minutes as this will damage the axolotl.

Rather than put him back in the tank, put him in a tub of dechlorinated water and pop in the fridge - the fridge should be set for over 5 degrees. Keep a couple of bottles of dechlorinated water in the fridge as well - these will be used for water changes which must be done daily.

When fungus appears to have gone, continue salt baths once a day for a week to ensure it does not come back.

The other axolotle is doing fine.

Keep them seperated. Fungus can spread to other axies.

My main concern is he is not eating. I have only started treating him yesterday for this fungas.

If the fungus is on his mouth it is likely to be inhibiting his eating. Keeping him in the fridge will slow his metabolism which will buy you time to deal with the fungus. Axolotls can go for weeks without food.

I have cleaned the tank by taking half the water out, vacuming the gravel and adding stress syme.

I know it's hard, but don't use chemical fixes to balance your tank, they often cause more harm than good. If your ammonia and nitrite readings are zero, do a 10-20% water change once a week. If your tank has a spike in either of these readings, do a 20% water change every two to three days, if the readings are dangerously high do a 20% water change DAILY.

He is about 7 inches long so not sure if he is fully grown yet. I have been feeding them blood worm, live small fish, frozen liver heart and pellets. I am worried about him not eating, help what else can I do? Thanks Carol.

7 inches? He's an adult. Sounds a good diet. What small fish do you feed them though? Have you considered earthworm? - it's got all the goodies an axie needs rolled into one wriggling package :happy: - I've recently been 'converted' by members on this forum and am expecting a package of worms to be delivered to my doorstop any day now.

Once the fungus is gone (in particular the one on his mouth), his appetite should return.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Cheers Jacq.

 

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

Thanks everyone for all the good advise. I have learnt a bit of a herpetologist mate of mine, who handles all reptiles including venemous snakes. He has had 30 years training with all types of creatures. Ok, here we go. His not fussed in the idea of putting axolotls in the fridge, it is easier to drop the temperature of the tank to 12c as axolotls can stand the cold. Anyone who has one that has a fungal infection, take note, the virus will spread quicker in higher temperatures in your tank. No lights on the tank to be put on, through a towel over the tank and keep them as dark and as quite as possible. Less stress, means a better chance of survival and a quicker recovery than in a tank set on above 12c. I have just learnt that garden worms are used in coaxing the sick axolotl to eat again. They love garden worms. My ph level in the tank was 0.1 and the amonia level was 0.1 which is not normal, so I have managed to get these back to 0 level, mind you guys I have only just learnt all this myself since last posting. My black male axolotl is back at the shop being looked after. I had to ring them and let them know that they needed to drop the water temperature down to 12 c as he has got worse, but still fighting. They have him in a seperate tank in dark conditions and have tried to coax him with garden worms, giving him daily salt baths etc. Axolotls can go for about a month without eating so I was told. The other female axolotl is doing great, even though she was in the same tank as him. I do beleive he had something wrong with him when I bought him, this is what people need to be aware of as well. The fungas is a secondary ailment which has stemed from something else like say a scratch on the axolotl or a sore that might not have healed. Also I raised the question about female and male axolotls with a lady that has nursed sick axalotls for years, she has had more male axolotls with this problem, than females. The female axolotl that we have had for about a month is a good eater, never had any trouble with her, but the male has been a constant worry, maybe he was sick when we got him, I don't know and aqauiriums have no idea sometimes whether their selling a sick axolotl. So from my experience so far, which has taken me a month to learn, be careful where you buy your axolotls. I now look at how long they have been in the shop, as the male I bought had just come in the day that I bought him, and the other axolotls they have there are still going strong and have been there longer than the male I bought. Anyway enough rabbling from me, I ring the shop every day to see how he is going. I have been told not to right him off just yet and they can come back from a bad fungal infection if treated properly. Sometimes it's a matter of guess work with them. What works for some doesn't always work for others who have different ideas on treatments. I have also done the water change, vacumning of tank floor and adding a small dose of stress syme to the water. My tank is full right up to the top, which gives them more room to swim around, and apparently it's a matter of preferance if you have a full tank or half tank full. It won't harm the axolotl. Hope this infornation can help other axolotl owners decide what is best for their axolotls. Cheers Carol.

 

[Kal El]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hello Carol,

Anyone who has one that has a fungal infection, take note, the virus will spread quicker in higher temperatures in your tank.

You have to be careful when terming fungi as viruses because this is not the case. Fungi are water molds (i.e. Saprolegnia) and are curable in most cases. Viruses on the other hand, are very difficult to treat because they utilise the hosts' cells in order to replicate. Thus, by administering any medication to an axolotl, you will be effectively harming the axolotl's cells as well.

I have just learnt that garden worms are used in coaxing the sick axolotl to eat again. They love garden worms.

This may be the case but you have to take caution with this method because most gardens contain trace amounts of pesticides and fertilisers which should never be introduced into the tank or fed to an axolotl.

I have also done the water change, vacumning of tank floor and adding a small dose of stress syme to the water.

What exactly are active constituents of stress zyme? Are you sure that it 100% safe for axolotls?

My tank is full right up to the top, which gives them more room to swim around, and apparently it's a matter of preferance if you have a full tank or half tank full.

Having the tank full creates more balance when it comes to water parameters (eg. NH3/NO2/NO3).

Hope this infornation can help other axolotl owners decide what is best for their axolotls.

Thanks for the extensive input. It was a great read :happy:

Jay.

 

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hi Jay. The stress zyme is what I was told to put in the water as it is supposed to speed development of the biological filter, helps keep aquariums clean. What it is meant to do is add dual action live bacteria which helps keep the tank clean as well. I use this everytime I do a tank clean, and so far so good. It doesn't seem to have affected the axolotl in anyway. Thanks for all the tips you posted as I am still learning what works with axolotls and what doesn't. Cheers Carol.

 

[Kal El]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hello Carol,

Hi Jay. The stress zyme is what I was told to put in the water as it is supposed to speed development of the biological filter, helps keep aquariums clean. What it is meant to do is add dual action live bacteria which helps keep the tank clean as well.

Most of these treatments/chemicals are ineffective; primarily because bacteria cannot survive in a bottle. So basically you are just adding organic matter to your tank and giving more ammonia for the nitrifying bacteria (that has already been established) to feed on. The only product that does actually work in terms of adding beneficial bacteria is called Biospira.

Jay.

 

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hi Jay. Is that what you have used? I'm going to an aqauriam tommorrow so I will ask about this product. I was recommended the stress syme by 2 aquariums that I deal with, but sometimes I wonder about some of the advise I get from some staff that work at these places. I see your from australia as well. I live in Selby, which is located in the dandenong ranges in victoria. Where do you hail from fellow aussie, and thanks for the tips, much appreciated. Carol.

 

[Kal El]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hello Carol,

No, I never used Biospira. I made the stupid mistake of using a product called "Cycle", which is useless in terms of adding beneficial bacteria to the tank.

Most pet stores will try and sell you anything they can get your hands on. There was a debate about the credibility of pet stores back some time ago, however I think that thread has been locked- for obvious reasons. The best thing that you can do for your tank is to let nature take its course.

The Dandenong ranges eh? You must be freezing over there! It sure is getting cold in Melbourne. I'm from Melbourne as well- Toorak region.

Jay.

 

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

Now that I've said hello to another fellow victorian. It's a few degrees cooler up in the dandenongs than down in the suburbs. Toorak, great area, I used to live in east malvern. Yes I'm certainly getting confused by some of the things I have been suggested from staff at aqauriums. I will stop using the stress syme and try what you have suggested. It is getting expensive being an axolotl owner?

 

[Kal El]

Re: sick axolotle.

It is getting expensive being an axolotl owner?

Mate, the whole set-up and maintenance cost more than the damn axolotl!

Jay.

 

[Jacquie]

Re: sick axolotle.

Mate, the whole set-up and maintenance cost more than the damn axolotl!

Jay.

I second that...Just bought two external filters to replace my internals...

 

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

It's cheaper owning a dog. Hello Jacq, another aussie on board.

 

[Jacquie]

Re: sick axolotle.

Hi Carol :happy:,

It's cheaper owning a dog.

I second that too! Except when he raids the pantry the smart little devil...

Hello Jacq, another aussie on board.

Where would the forum be without us eh?

Yes I'm certainly getting confused by some of the things I have been suggested from staff at aqauriums.

The more confused you are, the more money they make - it's sad when certain aquariums adopt this mercenary attitude or can't admit to ignorance. I would much rather they tell me if they do not know than pretend they do. Thankfully there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum, so I don't need to listen to the ninnies at aquariums.

There are some good aquariums though who do actually care for their stock and know about this caudata organisation.

 

[Lisa]

Re: sick axolotle.

Briefly visited Melbourne last weekend for a few days, from Perth, and haven't been that cold since I was in London years ago... Great environment for axolotl's tho!

 

[Kal El]

Re: sick axolotle.

I second that...Just bought two external filters to replace my internals...

Those axolotls of yours sure a lucky. First they get you running around like a mad woman and lifting 20kg of sand and now they've got you digging into your pockets

But yeah, purchasing those external canister filters is a wise move on your part because when summer does come around again, you want to be reducing as much heat in the tank as possible.

Jay.

 

[aird3]

Re: sick axolotle.

Well, after all the fuss and doing the salt baths, dropping temperatures on tanks, cleaning one third of the water out and putting clean water in the tank, well tried everything, my axolotl died. I still have the female which is healthy and came from the same shop as the male. I now have bought another female axolotl so the other female has company. Wasn't sure how 2 females would go, but they are both roughly 6 inches in length and have enough room to avoid each other in the tank if need be. So I will see how I go with the new axolotl, so far so good and I've gained some knowledge along the way. Hopefully the right information as everyone tells you something different. Does anyone here have 2 female axolotls and do they get on with each other? Also when I bought her yesterday the staff didn't know if she was a male or a female. One said they go on the dots on the tail, so there male and the female doesn't have the dots. I showed her that the male axolotls have a small sack between their back legs, and the females don't. So how does everyone identify a male from a female when buying an axolotl. Do you go on the dots on the tail to identify the males?