White blotches - fungal infection?

[Tishy]

Hi everyone!

I was hoping I could get some advice about my axie.

He has quite a few white blotches and spots on him. He's gone through quite a few moves and hot Australian summer - so I thought that might have been the cause. However, a friend who used to work in aquarium saw him and said that it was a fungal infection. Now I don't actually know how much this person knows about axolotls (pretty wary of advise people who work at aquariums give me). So what should I know to be sure?

Just some background:
He has regular water changes every 2 weeks (he's in a pretty big tank) - although sometimes I admit I haven't changed it until getting near to 3 weeks.

Last time I tested his water everything was fine. I haven't tested it recently because I left the test kit at my last house - whoops! But plan to hopefully grab it by the end of the week. The white blotches were there at that time anyway, so I don't think it is tank water quality.

He actually seems more healthier then a few months ago! He's eating heaps and exploring/investigating things more. Although some days his appetite is ferocious.

Any advice would be great!

Cheers

 

[Kerry M]

Could you post a picture of your axie so we can see what the blotches look like? If you could test your water and post the parameters that would be helpful too. Hopefully you can get your test kit back soon.

 

[snuggly time]

A picture would really help. I think generally fungal infections appear raised and looks like cotton wool.

 

[Tishy]

Okay, here's my baby.

I should be getting his test kit on the weekend so should be able to put up the parameters.

 

[Tishy]

I checked his water. Ph is at 7.6/7.8. Nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels were all at 0ppm - I changed his tank water not even a week ago.



He doesn't seem sick at all really - apart from the white spots!

 

[Jen10s]

I checked his water. Ph is at 7.6/7.8. Nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels were all at 0ppm - I changed his tank water not even a week ago.



He doesn't seem sick at all really - apart from the white spots!

PH sounds good, bit concerned that all 3 readings are 0ppm though, if your tank is cycled, you should have a reading for Nitrates. How long has your tank been running ? What is the temperature ? How much water are you changing each time? Can you post a photo of your tank too ?

I think it looks like fungus ..... Read up on Kaysie's Salt Bath tutorial on here, that might be a help.

Sorry for all the questions, but hopefully with more information, you can get the right advice to help the little fella :happy:

 

[FX1C]

Are you using a liquid test kit or strip tests?

If you're using the liquid kit - check the use by date on it to make sure it's not too old - read the instructions thouroghly to get Nitrate test done, some vigorous shaking of solution 2 & then the mixed liquids -

I would definitely be retesting those parameters asap (urgently).

What's the temp of the tank & does it fluctuate much?

I've seen similar splotches start on one of my wild types & I poo him into a salt bath (as pet Kaysie's most awesome salt bath tutorial - in sick axolotl sticky)
Then place back into the tank - as long as I know it's water is healthy. If I have any doubt as to toxin levels I place into 5G tubs with just dechlorinated tap water & change 100% water daily (scrub the tub every 2nd day) better to have the axolotl is clean detox than risk further damage in unknown toxin levels.

Perhaps you could place him into a temp tub with 100% clean fresh dechlorinated tap water until you're sure what's up with your testing process.



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[Tishy]

I've just spoken to my ex who I got the axolotl with. He thinks I've probably stuffed up the tests - so I will re-do again when I get home tonight. The kit isn't even a year old so I don't think it would be out of date.

The tank temp did fluctuate a lot a few months ago due to summer. It's generally at 18C now.

I change his tank water every two weeks and generally change 50-60%. Last tank change I did about 80% change as it had been 3 weeks and I wanted to go and clean through all his sand.

Will post up a photo when I get home tonight.

Okay, I will test again and if I get the same readings I will put him into a tub and change the water every day until I get the tank cycled again. If the tank is fine, I will do a salt bath on him.

Thank you all!