​Lost Gill fluff:  Look at the gill fluff.  If your axolotl loses the filaments on the back of the gills, there is something toxic in the water, usually chlorine or ammonia.  Tub the axolotl in treated tap water and correct the tank.  Purchase a seeded filter to re-establish the bacteria.  See instructions to recover a crashed cycle here.

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Very dark pink veins:  If the axolotl won't eat and the body is covered with very bright pink veins, this is an indication of illness.  It can be caused by poor water parameters which need to be corrected. A secondary bacterial infection is possible.  

If test results show that water parameters are in proper range, there may be a contaminant in the water that is not detected by aquarium tests.  Sometimes the contaminants are a result of chemicals that are added to our water by rainwater runoff.  

Tub the axolotl.  If condition continues to worsen, treat with antibiotics.  

Find tubbing instructions here.

 

Red toes or bumps:  If the axolotl begins to get red toes, or unusual pink spots or bumps, the nitrates are possibly too high. Do daily 50% water changes, to bring nitrates below 25ppm.  Details

In the event of impaction the toes will become red and fall off.  Details

 

White flakes:  If it looks like white stuff is flaking off of the axolotls body, there is most likely chlorine in the water.  Add water conditioner to the tank.  Add driftwood and Indian Almond leaf to the tank.  Purchase a seeded filter to re-establish the bacteria.

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Lethargy with Curled Gills: If the axolotl needs to be tubbed, add an air stone to provide oxygen.  In a very low oxygen environment the axolotl will become lethargic and gills will suddenly become extra fluffy and curled.  This extra gill fluff is the axolotls body attempting to acquire more oxygen from the water.  If oxygen is not added, the situation will become fatal.

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​Ammonia symptoms:  Loss of gill fluff, shrinking gills, bumps on the skin, discoloration of the skin.  Tub the axolotl until the cycle in the tank can be re-established.

 

Nitrite symptoms: Grey veins throughout the body. This condition called brown blood disease is not reversible.  

High Nitrate symptoms: shrinking gills, pink toes, rotting spots on the tail.  Tub the axolotl and perform water changes to reduce nitrates.  See here for detailed instructions.

Fritz Maracyn Oxy is our preferred method for treating fungus.  It can be treated in the tank, or while tubbed.  

Option 1: Treat fungus in the tank.  Follow the instructions on the bottle. The treatment can be sped up by adding a double dose on day 1 and continue regular dose for days 2-5.  If fungus is still present after 5 days, perform a 25% water change and repeat the treatment.  Maracyn can disrupt the nitrogen cycle.  After treatment has been completed, test for nitrites.  Treat the tank with an extra dose of Prime water conditioner every 48 hours, until nitrites return to zero.  The extra dose is 1 1/2 capful for a 20 gallon tank.  3 caps for a 40 gallon tank.  

Option 2: Treat fungus in a tub.  Set up a 1-2 gallon plastic tub.    Add spring water, distilled water, or RO water. Add an air stone, turned down low to prevent creating a current.  Depending on severity, add 4-8 drops of Maracyn Oxy.  Daily change 100% of the water and add the drops of Maracyn Oxy. Once the fungus falls off, the axolotl can be returned to a tank with proper water parameters.

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Note: Prime water conditioner neutralizes the effect of the Maracyn Oxy.  For best results use water that has had chlorine removed by filtration, such RO water or distilled water.  Always test the water to ensure there is not chlorine present.

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Fritz Maracyn Oxy can be purchased here

Test the water for ammonia, nitrates, nitrites & ph

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Test Result- Ammonia above 1ppm, Nitrates 0:  The tank does not have an adequate bacteria colony.  

Solution:  A bacteria source needs to be added.  A seeded filter can be added.  The next most effective option is Fritz Turbo Start.  Slower options are Seachem Stability or FritZyme 7.

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Test Result- Ammonia .25-1 ppm, Nitrites above 0, Nitrates above 0:  The water cycle is not crashed, but the bacteria colony is not large enough to handle the needs of the axolotl.  This is usually caused by over cleaning. Wait until Nitrates are at least 20 ppm before doing a 25% water change.  Avoid 100% water charges unless a contaminant is suspected to be in the water.  

Maintain a proper ph to facilitate bacteria growth.  API ph up and Seachem Axolotl Buffer are good products for maintaining a proper ph, 7.0-7.8

To protect the axolotl from Nitrites poisoning, add an extra prime dose to the tank every 48 hours.  1 1/2 capful for 20 gallon tank, 3 caps for 40 gallon tank.  

Sometimes we lose track of testing the water or performing water changes.  Other times, the bacteria may have a big growth spurt.  In either case you may test and discover that nitrates are well above 40, which is very dangerous for the axolotl.  Rather than draining the tank and starting over, do a series of daily water changes. Start with a 50% water change. Add an extra dose of prime during the water change. (1 1/2 capful if the tank is 20 gallons). Test the next day and do a 25% water change if the nitrates are above 20 (Do another 50% water change if they are still above 40).  Continue doing 25% water changes every day until nitrates are 10ppm.

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Set up a 1-2 gallon plastic tub.    Add spring water, distilled water, or RO water. Add an air stone, turned down low to prevent creating a current.  Cover with a dark lid to reduce stress and provide privacy.   Replace 100% of the water daily.  (Our favorite tub is a 2 gallon rubbermaid tub with a water tight lid.  Drill 2 holes in the lid.  The lid does not need to be tightly closed during tubbing, but is very beneficial when transporting the axolotl.)

 

Decaffeinated black Tea can be added to provide comfort.  Steep the tea in hot dechlorinated water.  Add ice cubes to cool it off.  Pour just enough into the tub to create a very subtle golden color.  Use of too much tea may agitate the axolotl.

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If your axolotl is impacted with sand, relief can be achieved with a laxative.  A vet can prescribe lactulose.  Without the help of a vet, the next option is to feed a watered down dose of pureed pumpkin daily.  

Procedure: Use a plastic syringe.  Pick up the axolotl and hold it over the tank.  Use the syringe to pry its mouth open and squirt the pumpkin puree in.  Place the axolotl back into the tank.

 

If the axolotl is impacted with plant matter, avoid feeding as the discomfort will be amplified.  Give the axolotl time to discharge that matter. Leafy matter causes impaction and may require a week or two to pass.  If a plant rhizome is ingested the situation is more serious and may not resolve itself.  The plant will need time to decompose in the intestines until it is softened enough to be discharged.  These complications are cause by the fact that axolotls are carnivores and they can't digest plant matter.