Question: Strange mark- is this trouble?

[milahoh]

I have a juvenile right now, about three inches long. He is alone in a ten gallon (well, his tankmate is a marimo moss ball much larger than he is) but the other day I noticed a strange circle on his tail fin. It has not changed at all in the last couple days, so I am not sure if I should treat him for anything. Advice would be great. Also, aren't his markings cool? He has a dark stripe down his back and a lot on his face and chin. Will this darken as he ages?

 

[LSuzuki]

Wow, that is a very round mark. I've never seen anything like that before. Still no change?

The only thing I can think of is it looks like maybe it got pinched between things. Have any ornaments fallen in the tank lately?

And yes, your axie is cute!

 

[milahoh]

Actually, the spot is expanding. Twice as large as it was, and still has the translucent ring around it. I am concerned it might be something spreading. Fungus maybe? I just don't know.

 

[LSuzuki]

I think it is time to see a vet if you can find one that can treat axolotls. That doesn't look normal and is spreading. I usually don't recommend trying random medications, but this might be an exception if you cant find a vet - try axolotl-safe antibiotics.

 

[milahoh]

I will take a scraping to my vet. I work for a vet, so I can take cultures at home and incubate them at work, then choose an antibiotic. I will get some culture materials today. I have Maracyn, methylene blue, melafix, and mercurochrome on hand currently.

 

[AguamigosTexas]

So odd that it's growing symmetrically. All the pictures I've seen of fungus were opportunistically attacking the thinner membranes like the tail or the gills, but never orchestrating a perfectly shaped attack! Please let us know which treatment works for you.

Salt baths come highly recommended too in catching fungus early. One owner used them until they could get medication, and were already seeing healing results before dosing. (Linked just in case.)

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...axolotl/72698-salt-bath-picture-tutorial.html

 

[milahoh]

What the salt concentration for one that is only three inches long? I feel like the regular concentration or time would be more irritating to a tiy one than an adult. Is this the case? I just want to be sure.

 

[AguamigosTexas]

That guide recommends 2-3 teaspoons of salt per liter of water. So you could start with a bit less and work your way up to the lowest effective dose. I understand wanting a conservative treatment for your little lotl.