White fungus

[adler0]

The white spot seems to have grown a tiny bit since the large piece fell off. Is that normal or should I still keep him in the fridge until it goes away completely? I tested my water just now and it is perfect and cycled. I'm anxious to return him to his tank but I really don't want to until I'm sure he'll be ok.

 

[adler0]

It is 100% getting bigger. It's starting to look the same as before just shorter. Is there anything I could add to the water other than salt? He's been in the fridge and getting salt baths twice daily for almost a month now.

 

[adler0]

Well this morning the fungus spread to another gill. Really need some help here. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've followed the salt bath directions exactly.

 

[Elise]

I'll admit this is the first post I've seen where a salt bath wasn't effective for a fungal infection that appears to be Saprolegniasis. In the event you may be doing the treatment incorrectly, the following article also covers salt baths. Caudata Culture Articles - Salt Solutions in Treating Salamanders Note that the concentrations can be increased until effective and the lowest effective concentration should be used. The duration will also need to be decreased when approaching the maximum safe concentrations, with a 25mg/l concentration not to exceed a duration of 10 minutes.

As the infection doesn't appear too severe, you may want to try a different treatment found in the following thread: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-axolotl-general-discussion/96018-fungus.html, such as using tap water without dechlorinator as a chlorine bath.

There are also some stronger treatments that have been known to work but are considered less safe. Two that come to mind are Methylene Blue and Tri-Sulfa, which the dosages commonly used are altered for amphibians. Be aware that I have no experience using either and I'm not a vet. If you were to consider using any medication, I would consult with a vet who specializes in amphibians. The following article provides more details: Caudata Culture Articles - Illness Part 1

 

[adler0]

After increasing the salt by half a tea spoon each bath and using chlorinated water with the salt baths, one of the infections has fallen off. I also cut the time of the salt baths from 15 to 10 minutes. It's looking promising now. I'll update again if/when the other piece of fungus falls off and I return him to his tank. Thanks everyone for your help!!

 

[adler0]

After a few more days of chlorinated salt baths the other infected area fell off. So if you're trying salt baths and they don't seem to be working, try slowly increasing the amount of salt and use chlorinated water(only for the baths). My axolotl is now happy to be back in his tank. He's even started eating again.