Salt baths not helping/working

[tracey]

Been giving Ugly salt baths for about a week now and it doesn't seem to be working - fungus is still there and now seems to be spreading to other gills any suggestions??

 

[aaron]

Have you tried putting it in the fridge?

 

[tracey]

Yep she is in residence on the middle shelve - think that is stressing her out more than the fungus

 

[kerry]

How is she getting on? You could maybe try putting a half-dose of methylene blue into her container in the fridge, as well as the salt baths. Have been treating my axolotl, Pancho, for fungus on the gills that way and it's almost cleared up now. I like using the meth blue because you can leave it in the water instead of just doing baths, so you know something is fighting the fungus constantly, and it doesn't have chance to grow between salt baths.

 

[kapo]

Salt baths need to be given longer than a week, I've done saltbaths for over 4 weeks (the extra week after the fungus was clear to be on the safe side). I don't like using any other medications if I can help it.

 

[jay]

I agree with kapo. Give the salt baths more then a week. You can't expect it to go away straight away. Sorry to be so up front. I also agree with kerry so that the fungus is constantly held back so the salt baths have a chance to wipe the fungus out. may i ask how much salt per litre you are using and what kind of salt?

hope all goes well

 

[tracey]

have chucked the book away (as they saying goes) and am now doing things differently. Ugly is now back in her tank - she a lot less stressed and the tail curl has already started to correct itself and tip of her tail is starting to go back to normal dark and is starting to straighton up.

I gentle remove most of the fungus that was hanging off her gills (Ugly had started shaking her head and getting distress swimming in circles) have now put her back in her own tank and am taking her out to bath her in salt 2 x teaspoons per 2 pints - normal table salt in normal water. Started this yesterday afternoon - have given her 3 baths so far and have started to see an improvement in her - she has started eating again and is more lively.

While I know this isn't necessarily how its meant to be done - it seems to be doing her more good.

 

[kapo]

My friend removes fungus too, when there's alot. Saltbathing 3 times a day will speed recovery, but with most people working during day, it's more convenient for twice daily saltbaths. I use table salt, uniodised though, when I have no sea salt or aquarium tonic salt.

In normal water I assume you mean tap water rather than dechlorinated. I've read of one or two people on this forum that use tapwater method.

 

[tracey]

all traces of the fungus seems to be going so i guess i'm doing something right - her tail curl has almost totally gone now too - how long after last signs of fungus goes should i keep bathing for?

 

[kapo]

5-7 days to be on safe side Sounds good tho!