grey film/ grey spots on axie

[PeterTse]

Hey! I'm an owner of a 2 1/2 year old axie. He's not very big but fsr still growing. I recently switched him to a nightcrawler diet and he's been getting nice and big, growing 1-2 inches in the last few months. The main reason for me writing this post is because he has had some grey film and spots developing mainly on his snout, but also some on the gills. I became concerned when his gills got some dark lines on them. I attached a photo. Should I be concerned? I did some research and saw that it could be a fungal infection if it looks like its fuzzy, which I don't think it is. II also saw it could be biofilm from plants and other things. I did have some plants that all died unfortunately so i just took them all out today when I was cleaning his tank. What should I do in this situation?

Thanks!

 

[wolfen]

how long has it taken for the discolouration to develop?
is there any substrate in his tank?, if so what is it?
fungus tends to be fuzzy where as mold infections tend to be like plaque on the skin though.

 

[PeterTse]

It’s been a few months, it started developing more on his body more so this last month. Other than the plants I took out I have a piece of driftwood for the tannins. It did have some dark algae growing on it that I took off this last cleaning. Nothing else other than that. Just some rocks and shelters.

 

[wolfen]

is there any chance of a close up photo (it's harder to concentrate on specific areas with videos)
there is a chance that the markings are colour change (he could be a dirty lucy) although same could be said about it being a skin infection.
the problem is if it is a skin infection one of the best ways to treat would be with potassium permanganate swabs which won't be pleasant using it on his snout/head.
place him in water containing 100% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate, if it is an infection ie.. fungal or bacterial there should be some change to the patches, after a few days (daily water changes will still be require whilst tubbed or weekly if in tank) if there is change potassium permanganate swabs can be used (skin infections tend to be more hardy than gill fungus which holtfreters will treat on its own) for complete removal.

 

[PeterTse]

Yeah I can try to get photos. Thing is he used to be a muddy brown wild color when I got him as a baby then he slowly lost his color and turned into a “lucy” without the eyes. I haven’t seen any other reported case like this so idk what happened but he’s been fine since. That happened a year ago. Where would I get the things you talked about?

 

[wolfen]

leucistic (lucy) axolotls are pink/white with red gills and black eyes, not to be confused with albino which have pink/red eyes.
dirty leucistic (dirty lucy) are leucistic axolotls have dark patches hence the name dirty lucy.
although not very common the loss of pigmentation isn't unusual.
holtfreters info here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

 

[PeterTse]

 

[wolfen]

on image 1104 it looks like there is swelling on the lower jaw, this could just be the photo giving the illusion of swelling but if there is swelling it would be a sign of infection.

 

[PeterTse]

Ok. Where would I get magnesium sulfate?

 

[wolfen]

magnesium sulphate is commonly known as pure epsom salts which can be brought either from shops pharmacy's or online.

 

[PeterTse]

Ok thank you so much. I will update with any changes in spots and health.

 

[PeterTse]

Axie may die here. I put him in the solution of epsom salt and water and he got out in the night. Found him on the ground this morning alive and put him back in his tank. His gills are all messed up though. I don’t know what to do.

 

[PeterTse]

He also has a curled tail for obvious reasons.

 

[wolfen]

always use a lid as they have even been known to jump out of tanks/aquarium, cool the tank water as much as possible (close to 15°c), add 2g/l non-iodised salt to the water to help prevent any infection, he will need to be monitored regularly, if he will eat give shrimp/prawns as well as his normal food to aid in healing.

 

[PeterTse]

physically he looks back to the way he has been. It’s his feeding day so I’ll keep monitoring him and feed him.

 

[PeterTse]

It looks like there was black beard algae growing on my driftwood. I removed the it from the tank and am going to keep it out to see if that helps. I put him back in the tub with a little less salt and a lid on so hopefully the patches can go away. There seem to have more grown on his tail.

 

[PeterTse]

I’m worried he’s getting skin/chemichal burns. Unless it’s a response to the salt. He’s more pink than usual and there’s small red veins on his tail. The grey spots are also developing on his toes!

 

[wolfen]

whilst tubing feed at night and change water in the morning, ammonia can build up quite quickly whilst tubbing.
if needs be the water can be changed twice daily ie.. morning and night.
after being out of the water for a period of time it isn't unusual for some of the slime coat to be shed, monitor for skin problems though.
make sure that non of the salts and minerals are higher than directed here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity
activity can cause flushing as well as the water being to warm.