Sick Goldie Changing Colour. Why?

[SlimyFishPuppys]

Hey all.
I've been reading some of the forum, so I don't need to trouble you with the nitty gritty, but Dave, our gold Axi has not been looking too sparkly the last day or two. I've been away on holiday for a week, and had a previous Axi owner come in and feed them for me. I changed the water the day I left and I got back, but in the last day, Dave has not eaten and not really moved. He had a black spot on one of his gills (which just turned out to be some tank debris), but his gills have gone rather white, although they tend to change colour quite a bit, so I wasn't too worried.
However, I have just fridged him (don't worry, I've done it before for Toothless when he's had a bad day or two and I used the guide for extra reference) because he has changed colour from a light yellowy gold to a kind of burnished pinky yellow colour. This is something he's never done before, and coupled with the gills and the not moving and eating, I'm worried about him. I've done what I can for him in the meantime, but has anyone else experienced this?
If he gets worse, my vet has an exotic animal specialist I can take him to, but he wouldn't be an axolotl expert, so I'd rather come to you guys first.
Cheers for this!
Worried Axi-mum.

 

[Skudo09]

Have you checked the parameters? If so,what were the readings? Photos may help to have a better idea of what might be going on.

 

[SlimyFishPuppys]

I think I've managed to attach a picture. He's clearly gotten a lot worse. He looks like his gills have gotten mouldy. However, his mood is much improved. After I took this picture I changed his water, and he maneuvered himself so he was under the small stream of water, which is not like him, so perhaps he is itchy, or hot? What do you think I should do?

The tank water is recently changed, so I have just done another test, as I usually find it takes 24 hours to get a more accurate tank reading. The ammonia was slightly high yesterday, but is very low today, along with Nitrites. The water is the perfect PH level (which I have always found tricky), but I've removed him from the tank to fridge, so the tank doesn't have much to do with him anymore.

 

[SlimyFishPuppys]

Also, the other Axi's are fine. Cheerful even. New development. I've just been to check on Dave, and it seems that some of the white gunk has sloped off. I can't find any of it, but it seems to be looking a little bit better than before. I've had a quick research on fungal infections and salt baths, but people seem to have differing opinions. Can I use regular salt? He's only going to be in there for 10 minutes at a time, but I don't want to cause him any more problems.

 

[charleybambino]

I'm certainly no expert but from experience with my own it would appear to me that he has reacted to chemicals...even slightly high ammonia, and the gills look like dead tissue which is sloughing off rather than fungus. I would go for cool, frequent water changes and avoid salt baths which may irritate further, unless you are absolutely certain he had fungus.
Mine recovered after about three days....but gills never been as frilly as before.

 

[laulen]

That's exactly what I thought. It looks like Ammonia poisoning because of the grayish tint. Daily water changes will fix that, if that's what it is. His gills will fall off, but they will grow back :3

 

[Skudo09]

The presence of ammonia and nitrite suggests your tank is in the process of cycling and it is likely this could be ammonia poisoning as has been suggested. I would watch the parameters closely and conduct frequent water changes to keep levels safe. I would place Dave in a tub of cool, clean dechlorinated water and do daily water changes for now while the tank is cycling. I wouldn't do salt baths unless fungus is present as this would irritate his skin further. You could give a black tea bath to help soothe his skin.

 

[SlimyFishPuppys]

Cheers for this guys, I really appreciate it. He is looking better and better, but his behaviour is sluggish at the moment.
Quick Question. I've decided to give him a black tea bath, and I've read plenty of how to guides, but they all just say black tea. Is there anything more specific I need to know? Does it need to be a special tea, or can I just dunk him in some Twinings?
Thank you.

 

[SlimyFishPuppys]

Well, I just thought I would check on him before going to bed. He died some time in the last 2 hours. His gills were looking better, but now they have blood on them. I'm glad he's not suffering anymore, but now I'm bloody miserable. Thank you for all the help guys. I appreciate it, even if it came to nothing.
R.I.P. Dave the Axolotl.

 

[Skudo09]

I am sorry to hear Dave did not pull through

 

[SlimyFishPuppys]

He's still alive, but just. What do I do to help him?!?!?! So far I've changed the water and told him off.

 

[tammyaxie]

I hope he pulls through