Newt Fungus

[oregon newt]

So I've posted about this before, but I'm still confused. So my male newt has these small white spots on him about the size of this period. My female seems fine, but I guess it's because my male is skinnier and weaker than her. I'm kind of confused as to what causes the fungus. Could someone please explain it to me? Here's a pic of him. Does this look like fungus? It's kind of hard to see. It's by his back leg.

 

[oregon newt]

I think I should specify what about fungus that I'm having trouble understanding. First, I read somewhere that fungus is a secondary infection. What does that mean? Also, what does it mean on the chart at Caudata Culture where it says next to Fungal infections that is is usually difficult to determine wether it's a bacterial or viral infection? And last, how to you tell different fungi apart? Such as columnaris and Saprolegnia.

 

[Jennewt]

This doesn't look like any fungus that I've ever seen. Fungus does not usually grow in discreet little dots like that.

A secondary infection is one that grows on top of some other infection. For example, if a bacterial or viral skin disease attacks an animal's skin, what you might see is white fuzz (fungus) covering the raw area. The fungus is there eating the dead skin, and it's the most visible thing, but it may not be the primary disease-causing agent (hence, secondary).

Saprolegnia is the classical white/gray "fuzz" that amphibians get. I don't know much about columnaris, but evidently it looks similar (but is actually a bacteria). I don't think that either would look like the tiny white dot(s) that your newt gets.

Given that these dots are small, and they come and go, I don't think they are a sign of serious illness.

Could you give the link to your previous post? I can't remember what you've already tried...

 

[oregon newt]

That's great that it's no sign of a serious illness! So far, I've only done salt baths. I was also planning on putting another filter(Duetto) in my tank with my internal waterfall to improve the water quality because I don't think the waterfall has a powerful motor. It's only 90 gph in a 29 gallon tank filled halfway. Hopefully the better water quality will help prevent those white spots. Here's the link http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54824

 

[oregon newt]

The white spots are back. I was wondering if it could be velvet disease like fish get. Can newts get velvet? Would you treat it with salt baths?

 

[Jennewt]

I have heard that newts can get ich, although it doesn't seem to be a common complaint. The problem with treating either ich or velvet is that you have to treat the whole tank. While a salt bath might remove the parasite from the animal, there are lots more in the tank. But I'm still not entirely convinced that this is such a disease. You might want to read through some online information about ich and velvet and see if it fits what you are observing.

 

[Kathleen]

Call a vet that deals with exotics. You can try Melafix and Pimafix (one fungal/one bacterial) all natural remedies. It helped my newts.