White Spots on Axolotl (Used Malachite Green in tank)

[Selmsy]

Hi all,

Ive got 2 Axolotls that are around 4 years old. One of them (toothless) has had a few white spots come up on his body and his face. Initially i thought it was just pigment as the spots were not raised and there was none of the cotton looking fungus hanging off. 2 days ago i noticed that one of the spots looks like it has covered his eye. I went back to the aquarium shop and they told me to use BluePlanet Fungus Cure (2mg/ml Acriflavine, 0.40mg/ml Malachite Green) and just to add it to the tank.

After treating the tank (and tuning it green) i jumped on and googled what i was putting in (yeah should of really done this first, massive face palm) and have realised that i shouldn't be adding the Malachite Green as its harmful.

So my question now is what can i do to fix this stuff up?? I have already carried out a water change (around 50-60%) as i thought this would dilute the Fungus Cure down. should i continue to do this over the next few days to dilute it down further? any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Autistic Catholic]

If they aren't already, you should tub the axolotls in cool, clean, dechlorinated water. @wolfen can provide helpful advice on how to empty the tank. If they have not been exposed too heavily, they should be fine. The spots look fine for the most part. I can't really see it "covering the eye". Maybe it's just around the eye.

Copper can be toxic and deadly to amphibians. Hope all goes well and hopefully, they haven't exposed to a lethal extent. This is the aquarium's fault, not yours.

 

[Selmsy]

Cheers for the reply

i have tubbed both axies over night, they seem fine this morning and the spot on his eye seems to be fading.

i plan on doing a bulk water change and cleaning the tank today. Should i be looking at doing say 80-90% water change so it doesn't throw the tank cycle out or am i better off changing the whole lot and giving everything a good clean to make sure the isn't any residue?

Also i have about 20L of older tank water in a container (i save the water to put on my plants from time to time) if i was to do a 100% water change, could i use this older tank water along with new water to help with the cycle? Tank is around 140L

thanks again

 

[Autistic Catholic]

I am not an expert on this. Wolfen can answer any and all questions related to tank cycling and can provide quality feedback. If you can get a better image on the spot on the eye though...I can't make out anything that indicates fungal.

 

[Selmsy]

Thats the best photo i could get of his eye (right eye)

It still looks slightly cloudy but looks more like its just the lens over his eye maybe? not sure.

Also i went to a proper aquarium shop today and run through the issues. They suggested adding activated carbon into the filter to remove the medicine. hopefully in 24hrs the tank should be clear again.... hopefully

 

[wolfen]

activated carbon will remove malachite green over a period of time but the tank may need to be tested with ammonia to make sure the the nitrogen cycle hasn't been interrupted, if you have plants they will require cleaning.
never use medication in the tank, especially medication that targets bacteria.
for treating the fungus use 3.5g/l salt or 100% holtfreters solution + 0.2g/l magnesium sulphate, acriflavine can be used as can methyline blue, in mild case black tea can be effective.
once treated house your axolotl in water that contains either 2g/l salt or 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate (50% holtfreters + magnesium sulphate provides all essential salts and minerals required) to prevent re-occurrence.
to test if the water is clear of malachite green snails and shrimps can be used (bit like the canary in the mine) is they survive a week it is clear and the water is safe, copper tests can also be used.
for info on holtfreters see here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity