White tip on gill of juvenile

[Slimkins]

So, we got a baby axolotl 1 month ago. He was really small from the get-go. He probably had just grown his back legs by the time we got him. Not realizing the importance of breeders in the axolotl community, we did get him from a place that you shouldn’t get axolotls from. Since then we’ve been working really hard feeding him blood worms and Daphnia, he doesn’t really like the Daphnia, to fatten him up. He was SO skinny. Also, doing water changes weekly, checking water parameters every 2 days and we have a chiller. And as of a couple of days ago we finally started feeding him live black worms. Which he loves. a week ago, we noticed his gills were getting bigger. But then a day ago, we noticed a white spot on the top of one of his gills. It’s not fuzzy, but there. After reading many mixed things, I haven’t given him a tea or salt bath, yet. He has a huge appetite, but his back end does float as onrr er times. He can keep himself in the bottom. He has been pooping often, but sometimes doesn’t get it all out right away. That doesn’t concern me as much as the white tip.

2 questions)
1) do gills grow from the top or base?
2) how long should I watch the white spot before treating?

Info)
Water parameters
Ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, nitrate 5 ppm (steady) and oh 7.4 (steady).
temp: 64 degrees.
No substrate

one side of gills are bigger than the other. Not sure if it’s birth defects or from poor conditions before we got him. The white spot is on the tip of one gill on his better side. That’s been growing.
What should I do?

 

[AMurry24537]

Could you try to add a picture with a different angle and, if possible, better resolution? If it doesn't seem fluffy/fuzzy, I wouldn't think it was fungus. In fact, given his age, I suspect that it might be iridiphores starting to make an appearance.

 

[Slimkins]

Could you try to add a picture with a different angle and, if possible, better resolution? If it doesn't seem fluffy/fuzzy, I wouldn't think it was fungus. In fact, given his age, I suspect that it might be iridiphores starting to make an appearance.

I’ll try to get a better pic. Today I noticed a spot on a gill on his other side. I think it probably is fungus. It’s very fluffy though. I am going to tub and clean his tank and do a 100% water change. How did I safely do that without crashing my cycle?

 

[AMurry24537]

I’ll try to get a better pic. Today I noticed a spot on a gill on his other side. I think it probably is fungus. It’s very fluffy though. I am going to tub and clean his tank and do a 100% water change. How did I safely do that without crashing my cycle

Okay, so if it IS fuzzy, then yes, it's probably fungus. My recommendation would actually be to leave him in the tank and start doing 50-60% water changes every 12 hours. If you do decide to do a 100% water change, you don't really have to worry too much about crashing the cycle as long as you have filter media. The amount of bacteria within the water is negligible, so replacing the water isn't really that big of a deal. I would still do tests every day though, just to make sure.

 

[Slimkins]

Okay, so if it IS fuzzy, then yes, it's probably fungus. My recommendation would actually be to leave him in the tank and start doing 50-60% water changes every 12 hours. If you do decide to do a 100% water change, you don't really have to worry too much about crashing the cycle as long as you have filter media. The amount of bacteria within the water is negligible, so replacing the water isn't really that big of a deal. I would still do tests every day though, just to make sure.

Right now, I have tubbed him just Incase. My problem is that if I tub him how people normally suggest, I cannot control water temps. I’m in Southern Florida. So, I decided to tub in a rather big Tupperware container thst I have floating in the top of my tank. I have a water chiller for the tank. This was the only way I could ensure good water temps. And it’s his usual place in the room, so, I feel it’s less stressful on him. I haven’t seen anyone else do I this, I hope it’s ok. I’m going to do a 60% water change tomorrow. I’m just worried about the fungus staying in the tank. Is that possible? And we’ve only had him for 1 month. I’m sure he’s been stressed. And I am sure the fungus came in through live black worms. I am going to get red wigglers tomorrow and cut them up. He was eating mouthfuls of the black worms, so, I know he’s hungry. He’s just over 3 inches and frozen blood worms aren’t cutting it.

 

[AMurry24537]

Right now, I have tubbed him just Incase. My problem is that if I tub him how people normally suggest, I cannot control water temps. I’m in Southern Florida. So, I decided to tub in a rather big Tupperware container thst I have floating in the top of my tank. I have a water chiller for the tank. This was the only way I could ensure good water temps. And it’s his usual place in the room, so, I feel it’s less stressful on him. I haven’t seen anyone else do I this, I hope it’s ok. I’m going to do a 60% water change tomorrow. I’m just worried about the fungus staying in the tank. Is that possible? And we’ve only had him for 1 month. I’m sure he’s been stressed. And I am sure the fungus came in through live black worms. I am going to get red wigglers tomorrow and cut them up. He was eating mouthfuls of the black worms, so, I know he’s hungry. He’s just over 3 inches and frozen blood worms aren’t cutting it.

Floating the tub is fine! Just be sure that you're still doing 100% water changes for the tub every day.

Okay, now, for the fungus: fungus spores are everywhere, in literally everything from the air, to water, to plants. You won't ever get rid of it without some serious equipment (think vacuum chamber, etc., lol). The goal (at least as I understand it) is to keep it from feeding off of ammonia, nitrates, general water detritus, and other things and collecting together to reproduce. Doing frequent water changes will allow you to clean out the food for the fungus. Since you are tubbing your axolotl already, I would just do a 100% water change.

If, however, you find it would be easier to keep your axolotl in the tank, THAT'S when you should stick to 60% every 12 hours. That will allow you to clean the water without disturbing your axolotl too much. In minor cases like this, I also like to add small amounts of brewed+chilled 100% (no additives) black tea (8 oz. per 10 gallons) directly to the tank to help soothe the axolotl's skin. It's kind of like a tea bath, but at such a low concentration, that you can just leave your axolotl in it for however long you need. It will still tint the water a little brown. When the water starts running clear again (from the water changes), I add another dose of tea.