Scratching

[Luna]

Nessie has been scratching her frills with her hind legs, I have checked the water paramaters and there was near to no ammonia (not even 0.25) and the pH was good, i also got the pet store to check the nitrites and nitrates and there was non and my general hardness of the tank was good aswell. So it seems that my water is ok so i was wondering what would cause her to do this. I am changing my tank now and im going to put in some melafix.

Thank you, Luna

 

[Morrison]

Is she doing that a lot? Or did you see her doing it once? When she's doing it once or twice, it's usually nothing to worry about.

Do you see any little critters crawling/swimming in the tank, on the glass or on the gills of your axie? Sometimes parasites can also cause itchy gills.

 

[Luna]

She has started doing it only in the past week but i have caught her doing it about 5-6 times now. She has been eating no worries but when she goes up for air she sometimes just floats on the top, is that anything to worry about?

 

[auntiejude]

What's your temperature like? Mine started scratcheing her gills when it was warm here, just before I noticed fungus. Fungus can take hold at anything over 20C, so watch carefully for the first signs of cottony growth.

It's nearly always irritation of some kind when they scratch - fungus, bacteria, sand etc.

 

[Petersgirl]

How low down are your axxie's gills, Luna? Toothless, my Wild, has two gills fused together and often catches them with his front paws. If yours is definetely scratching, then as Auntiejude said it could be some form of irritation such as from sand or crushed rock, or perhaps a small parasite - look closely in your tank, using a torch or light if necessary, for anything unusual. If you don't see anything it may be worth visiting a vet to be sure.

 

[layna]

If temperature isnt an issue, do you use dechlorinator?
One with aloe in might be best to add to their slime coat and if she seems to be really irritated, you could try adding some tea to your tank water to help soothe her skin