Fridging Guide:
Fridging is a useful method for healing axolotl because while it slows down their metabolism and slows down how fast the illness effects them, it actually speeds up their recovery rate. It is also a fantastic method to unblock your axolotl if it has constipation or impaction (swallowed some pebbles/stones).
Step 1: Set up your fridge. You need to make sure it is no lower than 5 degrees Celsius. Put a glass of water in the fridge where you are going to store your axolotl with a thermometer so you can gauge the temperature in the exact spot your axolotl will.
Step 2: Prepare your axolotl. Get a 2-5l tub with a lid, that is large enough for your axolotl to turn comfortably in and be outstretched (not curled or cramped). Put fresh, clean, dechloriated water in the tub that is the same temperature as the tank. Gently transfer your axolotl to the tub and secure the lid.
Step 3: Wrap and place in the fridge. It's a good idea to wrap your axolotl in a towel when you put them in the fridge. Not only does it protect the tub from getting too cold, but it also prevents your axolotl getting stressed every time you open the fridge door and the light suddenly flashes on. Once wrapped, place in the fridge where you tested the temp. And hey presto, your axolotl is safe and comfortable in the fridge where it can heal.
Step 4: Prepare tomorrows water change. When fridging an axolotl they need daily 100% water changes. Get a bottle or another tub and put fresh, declorinated water in it and store it beside or on-top of the tub with your axolotl. This will ensure the temp of the clean water is the same as the water your axolotl is in and prevent temperature shock when you do the water change.
Step 5: Daily water changes, even if the water doesn't look dirty. Make sure you do 100% water changes daily even if the water is clean looking. Your axolotls metabolism will slow right down when in the fridge and as a result they may eat nothing for the duration of fridging - don't worry this is normal. In the first few days you may see a lot of poop in the tub and then none for the rest of the fridging but it is important to continue daily water changes. The length of fridging can vary depending on the reason for using the fridging method. If you are unsure, feel free to email us and ask.
**Note: Please do not fridge your axolotl hastily. It can be very stressful for them. If you are unsure if fridging is suitable, please contact us. We are always available to help.**
Salt Baths:
Salt baths are a popular method used for getting rid of fungus on axolotl. If your axolotl develops a white fluffy looking substance on it that looks like cotton wool, chances are it has fungus. Sometimes fungus just appears, in which case you should check your parameters and temperature. Other times it will often appear on an open wound, for example if your axolotl got bitten. As salt baths can be irritable for axolotl, prevention is the best method. Do a tea bath or use Indian almond leaves(IAL) as soon as you notice an open wound or injury. They have antibacterial and soothing qualities and tighten the pores in the skin making it a lot harder for fungus to take hold. If fungus has already appeared then do a salt bath to clear it up in no time. (PLEASE NOTE: There is no point doing a tea bath/IAL if you are treating fungus with salt baths. The tea bath/IAL will tighten the pores in the skin making treatment less effective.)
Step 1: Prepare your salt water. The rule of thumb is 2-3 teaspoons of salt to 1 liter of water. Do NOT use iodized salt or low sodium salt. Aquarium salt, rock salt, sea salt, or non-iodized table salt will work perfectly. If you use a fine grain salt remember there will be more salt per teaspoon. Use fresh, dechlorinated water that is the same temperature as the water your axolotl is in. Mix the salt into the water until it is fully dissolved. Gently place your axolotl in the solution.
Step 2: Time the bath. It's very important you keep track of how long your axolotl is in the bath for. Never leave them in for longer 15 minutes. If you bathing an adult, full strength salt bath at 15 minutes is fine. If you have a juvenile do a half strength bath for 10 minutes. While in the bath you can use a q-tip to try to very gently remove or wipe of the fungus. You don't have to do this but if it looks loose like its coming off and you can remove it gently then you can.
Step 3: Do a water change. While your axolotl is in the bath, it's a good time to change their water. If your axolotl has fungus or an injury it should be separated into a hospital tub/tank. Do at least a 50% water change, depending on the size of the tub/tank. It's it 5l for example, you will need to do 100% as opposed to a 60l hospital tank will only need 50%. Make sure the fresh water you are using for the water change is the same temp as the water in the bath so when your axolotl comes out there is no temp stress.
Step 4: Remove your axolotl. Gently scoop your axolotl out of the bath when time is up and place back in its hospital tub/tank. Throw away the used salt bath. Don't reuse a salt bath solution once it has been used once.
Step five: Prepare the salt solution for the next bath. Mix up the solution in a bottle or covered tub and leave it sitting beside the tub/tank your axolotl is in so it's the same temp for next time. On occasion salt baths can be paired with fridging to optimize a fast recovery in bad cases. I do not recommend fridging if your axolotl hasn't got a bad case of fungus.
Step six: Repeat. You can do salt baths twice daily, or once daily, depending on how bad the fungus is. If it's bad you can do twice daily for a few days, then once daily or whatever suits your axolotls situation. Don't do a salt bath more then twice daily. Remember once you no longer see the fungus do a salt bath for another two or three days to make sure it is fully gone.
Step seven (optional): Once the fungus is gone and salt baths are finished you can use IAL to health soother their skin from the salt baths and make sure the fungus doesn't come back. It's not a must, just a option if you feel your axolotl was quite irritated from the salt baths.
Indian Almond Leaves (IAL)
These are a really handy tool to soothe skin and help prevent infections/bacteria. Some people have a leaf in their aquarium all the time as a precautionary measure. The important thing to remember if you decide to do this is to monitor the ph as IAL can lower the pH.
If your axolotl has had a cut or injury, or its skin is red and sore looking (perhaps from ammonia burns for example) then IAL is a valuable first step. Simple place a leaf or more in the water (whether it be in a hospital tank or leaving in the main tank). It's hard to explain the perfect amount of leaf to water volume ratio and is trial and error. For small volumes start with half a leaf and monitor pH. If the pH drops, do a half water change to correct and put less leaf in. If the pH remains the same, you can leave as is or try more leaf (if you don't think it is strong enough).
When using IAL it can and will turn the water a brown colour. This is from the tannins being released from the leaf. It's the tannins that do the good stuff for the axolotl (or lower the pH) so do not worry or try to remove these until your axolotl is healthy again.
Fridging is a useful method for healing axolotl because while it slows down their metabolism and slows down how fast the illness effects them, it actually speeds up their recovery rate. It is also a fantastic method to unblock your axolotl if it has constipation or impaction (swallowed some pebbles/stones).
Step 1: Set up your fridge. You need to make sure it is no lower than 5 degrees Celsius. Put a glass of water in the fridge where you are going to store your axolotl with a thermometer so you can gauge the temperature in the exact spot your axolotl will.
Step 2: Prepare your axolotl. Get a 2-5l tub with a lid, that is large enough for your axolotl to turn comfortably in and be outstretched (not curled or cramped). Put fresh, clean, dechloriated water in the tub that is the same temperature as the tank. Gently transfer your axolotl to the tub and secure the lid.
Step 3: Wrap and place in the fridge. It's a good idea to wrap your axolotl in a towel when you put them in the fridge. Not only does it protect the tub from getting too cold, but it also prevents your axolotl getting stressed every time you open the fridge door and the light suddenly flashes on. Once wrapped, place in the fridge where you tested the temp. And hey presto, your axolotl is safe and comfortable in the fridge where it can heal.
Step 4: Prepare tomorrows water change. When fridging an axolotl they need daily 100% water changes. Get a bottle or another tub and put fresh, declorinated water in it and store it beside or on-top of the tub with your axolotl. This will ensure the temp of the clean water is the same as the water your axolotl is in and prevent temperature shock when you do the water change.
Step 5: Daily water changes, even if the water doesn't look dirty. Make sure you do 100% water changes daily even if the water is clean looking. Your axolotls metabolism will slow right down when in the fridge and as a result they may eat nothing for the duration of fridging - don't worry this is normal. In the first few days you may see a lot of poop in the tub and then none for the rest of the fridging but it is important to continue daily water changes. The length of fridging can vary depending on the reason for using the fridging method. If you are unsure, feel free to email us and ask.
**Note: Please do not fridge your axolotl hastily. It can be very stressful for them. If you are unsure if fridging is suitable, please contact us. We are always available to help.**
Salt Baths:
Salt baths are a popular method used for getting rid of fungus on axolotl. If your axolotl develops a white fluffy looking substance on it that looks like cotton wool, chances are it has fungus. Sometimes fungus just appears, in which case you should check your parameters and temperature. Other times it will often appear on an open wound, for example if your axolotl got bitten. As salt baths can be irritable for axolotl, prevention is the best method. Do a tea bath or use Indian almond leaves(IAL) as soon as you notice an open wound or injury. They have antibacterial and soothing qualities and tighten the pores in the skin making it a lot harder for fungus to take hold. If fungus has already appeared then do a salt bath to clear it up in no time. (PLEASE NOTE: There is no point doing a tea bath/IAL if you are treating fungus with salt baths. The tea bath/IAL will tighten the pores in the skin making treatment less effective.)
Step 1: Prepare your salt water. The rule of thumb is 2-3 teaspoons of salt to 1 liter of water. Do NOT use iodized salt or low sodium salt. Aquarium salt, rock salt, sea salt, or non-iodized table salt will work perfectly. If you use a fine grain salt remember there will be more salt per teaspoon. Use fresh, dechlorinated water that is the same temperature as the water your axolotl is in. Mix the salt into the water until it is fully dissolved. Gently place your axolotl in the solution.
Step 2: Time the bath. It's very important you keep track of how long your axolotl is in the bath for. Never leave them in for longer 15 minutes. If you bathing an adult, full strength salt bath at 15 minutes is fine. If you have a juvenile do a half strength bath for 10 minutes. While in the bath you can use a q-tip to try to very gently remove or wipe of the fungus. You don't have to do this but if it looks loose like its coming off and you can remove it gently then you can.
Step 3: Do a water change. While your axolotl is in the bath, it's a good time to change their water. If your axolotl has fungus or an injury it should be separated into a hospital tub/tank. Do at least a 50% water change, depending on the size of the tub/tank. It's it 5l for example, you will need to do 100% as opposed to a 60l hospital tank will only need 50%. Make sure the fresh water you are using for the water change is the same temp as the water in the bath so when your axolotl comes out there is no temp stress.
Step 4: Remove your axolotl. Gently scoop your axolotl out of the bath when time is up and place back in its hospital tub/tank. Throw away the used salt bath. Don't reuse a salt bath solution once it has been used once.
Step five: Prepare the salt solution for the next bath. Mix up the solution in a bottle or covered tub and leave it sitting beside the tub/tank your axolotl is in so it's the same temp for next time. On occasion salt baths can be paired with fridging to optimize a fast recovery in bad cases. I do not recommend fridging if your axolotl hasn't got a bad case of fungus.
Step six: Repeat. You can do salt baths twice daily, or once daily, depending on how bad the fungus is. If it's bad you can do twice daily for a few days, then once daily or whatever suits your axolotls situation. Don't do a salt bath more then twice daily. Remember once you no longer see the fungus do a salt bath for another two or three days to make sure it is fully gone.
Step seven (optional): Once the fungus is gone and salt baths are finished you can use IAL to health soother their skin from the salt baths and make sure the fungus doesn't come back. It's not a must, just a option if you feel your axolotl was quite irritated from the salt baths.
Indian Almond Leaves (IAL)
These are a really handy tool to soothe skin and help prevent infections/bacteria. Some people have a leaf in their aquarium all the time as a precautionary measure. The important thing to remember if you decide to do this is to monitor the ph as IAL can lower the pH.
If your axolotl has had a cut or injury, or its skin is red and sore looking (perhaps from ammonia burns for example) then IAL is a valuable first step. Simple place a leaf or more in the water (whether it be in a hospital tank or leaving in the main tank). It's hard to explain the perfect amount of leaf to water volume ratio and is trial and error. For small volumes start with half a leaf and monitor pH. If the pH drops, do a half water change to correct and put less leaf in. If the pH remains the same, you can leave as is or try more leaf (if you don't think it is strong enough).
When using IAL it can and will turn the water a brown colour. This is from the tannins being released from the leaf. It's the tannins that do the good stuff for the axolotl (or lower the pH) so do not worry or try to remove these until your axolotl is healthy again.