Illness/Sickness: Toe fungus

[chemgrl08]

Hi all, been a while since I've visited, but thankfully it's because my axies have been happy and healthy over the past 1+ year.
Recently I found a weird toe fungus (?) on two of my axies. Here are the tank specs:
White sand substrate
Temp: around 64*F
Tank is fully cycled (has been running for over 6mos)
5 axies in 60gal, two mystery snails, no plants (just plastic/aquarium safe decorations). Nothing placed recently
Currently using a sponge filter because the waterfall filter broke (the SECOND of that type) and I'm still looking for a reliable one
Salmon pellet food from Ambystoma genetic stock center

The fungus looks like old food- like when you overfeed accidentally and a salmon pellet sprouts this white furry hair. I thought the axie had just stepped on one and gotten it stuck on his toe; it had been there about 3 weeks, and he happened to be floating near the top so I gently grabbed onto it, slid it off and... OMG, that looks like bone! (See pics) Axie did not fidget or show any sign of being in pain, and all of them have been acting normally and eating fine.
The normal phase fellow seems to be the main victim, but it looks like one of the albinos MAY be developing it as well. (Note that the normal phase guy has multiple limbs- he was purchased like this from a young age. I'm a teacher and wanted to explain limb regeneration to my students, but of course didn't want to hurt him! He already had this, so it made sense.)

I have had success in the past using pimafix for gill fungus (different set of axies,) and my plan is to use it once more. I should probably apply to the entire tank, yes? What about the snails? I don't want to hurt them, but I don't want to have them carry fungus into the tank again if I remove them then replace them once the problem is over. I've also tried to reduce the amount of food in case I'm overfeeding.

Seem like a good plan? Or should I isolate the normal phase guy and treat him separately? Seems like if he has it, everyone will have it, unless he is weakened for some reason and more susceptible to some normal type of fungus that is usually kept in check by a healthy immune system.

One more note- I've had axies for about 5 years total, and they always find a way to lay eggs. However, it's been over a year, and these guys have never bred! That seems really weird, but over one year and not a single egg. Could be a symptom? But then I haven't been actively trying methods to get them to breed, so could just be non-amorous individuals.

Not looking forward to tons of water changes, but what needs to be done, needs to be done!

Pics: Rear right foot of albino showing possible signs of growing fungus on one toe
Right rear foot of normal phase apparently showing TWO toes in which bone is exposed. The one towards the bottom was from the slough today, the topmost one was only discovered as I was taking the pic.

 

[SnotOtter]

Just curious what kind of sand it is that your using? If its a marine sand, thats calcium carbonate and is very abrasive. I'm not saying its not fungus but their feet seem irritated and that may be the reason the fungus is present there and not the gills, tail and such. Fungus and bacterial issues usually start on a part of the body that is compromised or damaged in some way. I'll let the lotl experts around here help you with treatment but I'd try to resolve the reason for damage, if there is one, otherwise treatment may not be effective.

 

[chemgrl08]

Hm, that's a good thought. I've used this type of sand before and haven't had trouble, but then again that tank had a lot more decorations in it, so the sand could be scratching up their feet, as you say. I believe it's this sand: Petco White Aquarium Sand at PETCO
It's not fine like play sand, but it's small enough that the axies can pass it if they swallow some.

 

[SnotOtter]

I'm fairly certain that variety of sand is calcium carbonate, like aragonite but smaller grain. Its suggested for use as a marine substrate which usually requires a buffering mineral like calcium. If so, its very abbrasive and looks so in the stock photo on their website. If you like the white color, estes aquarium sand is tumbled smooth and doesnt affect ph, I never have been able to find out what its made of but doesnt seem to be silica. They have a broad range of colors. Of course pool sand is commonly used as well, its just not tumbled to smooth out the grains and silica based, still much more rounded than calcium carbonate. If you go with pool sand, drag a magnet thru the bag before use. Dont use it if theres grains sticking to the magnet. Some cheaper grades have iron compounds in them and more than likely other heavy metals which will be bad for your axolotl. Personally replacing the sand would be the first thing I'd do. You may have an ammonia/nitrate spike when you remove your sand depending on how much of your beneficial bacteria population resides in the sand. Ease off feeding during transition. Hope someone else chimes in if they disagree.

Good luck!