Axolotl first aid basics:

 The information provided here is basic information on how to manage first aid to your axolotl. There are medications and natural methods of treatments for mild illness that are safe for axolotls.  It is highly recommend that at any time you are faced with an illness with your axolotl that you seek an exotic vet for a professional diagnosis.  

Listed below are some things that we recommend having on hand in your Lotl First Aid Kit just in case your axolotl gets sick or develops an infection such as fungus or bacteria.

As a rule of thumb with any pet you should locate an exotic vet near you who has experience treating axolotls. Having their information available to you and easy to find will help out when you find yourself in crisis with your lotl later on.

Here are few items that are good practice to have on hand or available in a pinch if needed. However, this is just a basic list that we recommend for proper lotl care.

• Indian almond leaves - referred to alot at IAL, these leaves release tannins that help fight against bacteria, fungi and other similar organisms naturally.  They can be used these as a preventative or as a  remedy for mild illnesses and injuries. 

• Aquarium salt - this is used salt baths to help aid in treatreating mild illnesses and fungus.  To create a salt bath; dissolve 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water,  remember to add Seachem Prime to remove chlorine.  Soak your axolotl in the bath 1-2 times per day for 10 minutes. The severity of the illness or fungus will determine how frequently you will want to repeat this process.

• Holtfreter's Salt Solution -a solution you can make and add to your water.  The solution will help limit fungus and helps your axolotl’s immune system.  Though axolotls are a freshwater pets, adding these salts in minimal doses does not change the water from freshwater to saltwater.

  • HSS recipe:

    • Using 5 gallons of dechlorinated water mix in the following:

    • 3 tablespoons sea salt or aquarium salt (DO NOT USE IODIZED SALT)

    • 1 teaspoon Epsom salt (scent and dye free)

    • ⅛ teaspoon NuSalt (this is potassium chloride, a salt replacer usually located near Morton Salt)

• API General Cure - parasite treatment (will treat a variety of parasites)

• Methylene Blue - used in treating fungal infections  (too much is toxic to your lotl, color should be close to a 0ppm nitrite blue)

• Nitrofurazone - best when used with methylene blue to treat fungal and bacterial diseases.

• Seachem Kanaplex - treats some bacterial/fungal diseases.

• Seachen Metroplex - treats several anaerobic and protozoan bacterial diseases.

• Seachem Focus - Used to bind medications to food in treatment of internal bacterial infections. 

• Prazipro -prevention of parasites

Illness Prevention

To prevent illness the most IMPORTANT thing you can do is to cycle your tank before adding your axolotls!! Completing weekly water changes, weekly parameters checks, and cleaning up any uneaten food, waste, etc. can all help contributing to preventing axolotl illness. 

Fungus is by far the most common issue you find with axolotls. It presents as white cotton like substance that is usually on the gills of the axolotl.  Salt/Black Tea baths will clear this up if caught early enough. Adding aquarium salt to your tank regularly can also aid in fungus prevention.  Salt must dissolve fully before adding it to you tank water. You can safely add 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water.  Though this aids in prevention it will not keep fungus from appearing but this will add good minerals to the water which in turn makes happy axolotls.

Frequently check your axolotl to be proactive that they are not showing signs of illness.  Watch for;  skin changes, weight loss, shrinkage/loss of the gills or gill filaments, lack of appetite, floating and tilting without control, etc.  If you suspect your axolotl may be sick the first thing to do is check your water parameters. Depending on the severity of illness you may need to remove your axolotl from their tank and tub them (see tubbing your axolotl) until they are no longer ill.  This helps keep them in clean water and allow you to better monitor them, as well as, isolates them from any potential tank mates.