Axolotl looks like it has cottonmouth?

[nailartjess]

Can somebody please help me asap. I have had 2 axolotl's for 2 weeks now and one ofhtem I have noticed is a what seemed to be a very fussy eater. She would eat nothing but earth worms where as my other 2 would eat crickets and mealworms also. I have just noticed that she has a fluffy substance around her lips that looks like cottonmouth?

How do I treat this? I am totally new to axolotls and I don't wnat my petal todie on me.

Jess

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

does it look like this...

Temperatures above 24 °C (75 °F) are very stressful to axolotls. Such temperatures cause metabolism to increase (the rate at which the body "works"), and consequently, an increase in appetite. However, the stress resulting from more than a day or two of exposure to these temperatures will quickly lead to disease and death. You can read more about axolotl diseases and their treatment on the Health Page.
The first symptoms of heat stress in axolotls include refusal of food and/or the development of pale patches of mucus-like material on the skin (see the photo below).

http://www.axolotl.org/index.htm

 

[nailartjess]

Hi, thanx for ur reply, no, it is more a funguess fluff like a cotton ball around her mouth. I keep the tank temp at 18, maybe I should drop it a little? I am currently giving her a second salt bath now and regretably going to put her in the frdige as much as I really dont want to but apparently that is the correct thing to do?

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

18 degrees celsius (64F) should be fine imo. Thats right around the temp I kept mine at. You can certainly try the fridge, I've heard it recommended frequently as well. You seem to be on the right track with the salt baths and fridge. If those don't work you could try Mercurochrome or look into other medicines. Axolotl.org and caudata.org are great resources. I never had any health problems with mine so unfortunately I can't really offer any firsthand experience. I hope things work out for you though!

 

[nailartjess]

Hi, I ended up calling a LFS in Mlebourne this afternoon for some info and help as nobody has them where I live. He said that salt baths are really a big no as it could do them more harm than good and they use pimafix with their axolotls for fungus and disease etc. I am currently using melafix until I get some thru the week. Hopefully this will do the trick.