HELP! Fungus on axolotl’s nose (I think)

[Dsot]

I work at a animal sanctuary and someone surrendered their axolotl to us. I decided to keep him and have had him for a few weeks. Just this week I noticed a bump on his nose. Guessing it a fungus? Any advice. The first picture is when I just got him and the others is what his nose looks like now.

 

[tammyaxie]

I think this might be a tiger salamander. The picture isn't very clear. But tubbing him might be a good idea. Providing your water parameters would be helpful too.

 

[AMurry24537]

I agree with tammyaxie, that doesn't look like an axolotl, but I am by no means an expert on salamanders. Do you have any idea how old it is? Regardless, water parameters we're looking for though include temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

 

[Dsot]

I agree with tammyaxie, that doesn't look like an axolotl, but I am by no means an expert on salamanders. Do you have any idea how old it is? Regardless, water parameters we're looking for though include temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

I sadly don’t know much about him. The person that surrendered him didn’t give much info. I added some more pictures I just took. Currently his tank is at 18.9C and I just got back from work and going to test the water now. What I’m mostly concerned about is that bump that I circled in red

 

[Dsot]

I think this might be a tiger salamander. The picture isn't very clear. But tubbing him might be a good idea. Providing your water parameters would be helpful too.

I think this might be a tiger salamander. The picture isn't very clear. But tubbing him might be a good idea. Providing your water parameters would be helpful too.

Just checked the water. I also added some better pictures of him and the one with the circle is what I’m concerned about. I also added pictures of the test just in case I’m reading it wrong
Temp: 18.9C
pH: 7
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0.25ppm
Nitrate: 40-80ppm

 

[AMurry24537]

I sadly don’t know much about him. The person that surrendered him didn’t give much info. I added some more pictures I just took. Currently his tank is at 18.9C and I just got back from work and going to test the water now. What I’m mostly concerned about is that bump that I circled in red

In one or two of the pictures, it almost looks like its coming out of his nostril. It does not look like fungus (usually white and fluffy like a cotton ball) but rather like a growth or some kind of debris. Have you tried to see if you can gently brush it off? Otherwise, seeing a vet will probably be your best bet, both for treating and properly identifying the species

 

[AMurry24537]

Just checked the water. I also added some better pictures of him and the one with the circle is what I’m concerned about. I also added pictures of the test just in case I’m reading it wrong
Temp: 18.9C
pH: 7
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0.25ppm
Nitrate: 40-80ppm

You need to do some water changes right away. I would recommend doing a 60% change and then 50% every 12 hours until your tank is fully cycled. Both ammonia and nitrites are very toxic to aquatic creatures and should remain as close to 0 as possible. Nitrates are less concerning, but they do need to be kept below 40 ppm. Your ph and temperature are fine, but the other results require some fresh, treated water. What kind of conditioner are you using by the way? I'd recommend using SeaChem Prime, which binds ammonia temporarily in a safer form.

 

[Dsot]

You need to do some water changes right away. I would recommend doing a 60% change and then 50% every 12 hours until your tank is fully cycled. Both ammonia and nitrites are very toxic to aquatic creatures and should remain as close to 0 as possible. Nitrates are less concerning, but they do need to be kept below 40 ppm. Your ph and temperature are fine, but the other results require some fresh, treated water. What kind of conditioner are you using by the way? I'd recommend using SeaChem Prime, which binds ammonia temporarily in a safer form.

That’s the the conditioner I’m currently using

 

[AMurry24537]

That’s the the conditioner I’m currently using

Perfect! That should help with the ammonia, but the nitrites and nitrates are also higher than you want. Do you have any questions on the water change?

 

[Dsot]

Perfect! That should help with the ammonia, but the nitrites and nitrates are also higher than you want. Do you have any questions on the water change?

I’m currently doing a partial water change once a week. Should I increase it to twice. I also didn’t get the time to properly cycle the water when I got him cause it was so out of the blue.

 

[AMurry24537]

I’m currently doing a partial water change once a week. Should I increase it to twice. I also didn’t get the time to properly cycle the water when I got him cause it was so out of the blue.

Partial water changes once a week is fine when the tank is fully cycled, but yours is not yet. In order to prevent damage to the soft tissues and internal organs, you need to keep the levels as low as possible. The two options you have for doing so are either 1. Keeping him in the tank and doing 50% water changes every 12 hours or 2. Keeping him in a tub and doing 100% water changes, plus adding ammonia to your tank every 24 hours

I personally recommend option 1 as the easiest because for option 2, you need to be sure that the tub remains an appropriate temperature and has adequate oxygenation while also adding ammonia into the tank itself in order to artificially continue the cycle.

With both options, you really need to be on top of those water changes, do regular testing, and be ready to intervene if something goes wrong. There are lots of cycling guides on this website and online, but I can also give advice if you have further questions.

 

[Dsot]

Partial water changes once a week is fine when the tank is fully cycled, but yours is not yet. In order to prevent damage to the soft tissues and internal organs, you need to keep the levels as low as possible. The two options you have for doing so are either 1. Keeping him in the tank and doing 50% water changes every 12 hours or 2. Keeping him in a tub and doing 100% water changes, plus adding ammonia to your tank every 24 hours

I personally recommend option 1 as the easiest because for option 2, you need to be sure that the tub remains an appropriate temperature and has adequate oxygenation while also adding ammonia into the tank itself in order to artificially continue the cycle.

With both options, you really need to be on top of those water changes, do regular testing, and be ready to intervene if something goes wrong. There are lots of cycling guides on this website and online, but I can also give advice if you have further questions.

Thank you. I will definitely do the water changes. I did try to remove whatever was in his nostril and the nostril started to bleed so I stopped. I will be taking him to the vet