Axolotls are, in general, healthy and easy pets to keep. A healthy axolotl will have a stomach the same width as it's head and lovely fluffy gills. When given the right environment and pristine water conditions it is rare to have a health issue with your axolotl. However, it does occasionally happen. It is important to remember that if your axolotl is stressed or uncomfortable it will be more susceptible to illness. There are some simple signs to watch out for that will indicate a stressed or ill animal.
The above list is only a handful of symptoms and causes of potential illness. There are many other things that can affect your axolotl like parasites, genetic or nutritional issues, wounds, fungus/bacterial issues, etc. For further reading on this subject, a list of safe medication, or to see photos of some common symptoms, please visit this page.
Note: The most common cause of illness is bad water. Always check your water with a liquid test kit (strip tests are notoriously wrong and unreliable) as soon as you notice something wrong.
If your axolotl exhibits any of the above behavior/symptoms, or any changes in general that you are uncertain about, please do not hesitate to contact us. Note down all changes/symptoms, in both your axolotl and it's environment, plus the water parameters, and email us. We will reply as soon as we can. Or, consult a vet that has axolotl experience. It's always better to be safe then sorry. No question is too small or too silly.
- Forward turned gills: if the water flow is too strong in your tank the biggest give away is the gills curled significantly forward. However, when you axolotl is stressed their gills can turn forward significantly too. So, if you axolotl has this symptom first check the water flow and then your water parameters. If this doesn't fix it, and your axolotl has no other signs of stress, then it is possible your axolotl has naturally turned gills. Once you get to know your axolotl you will be able to notice when they are stress and when they are fine.
- Curved tail: Another classic sign of stress and/or illness is when the very tip of the tail is curved. A lot of people mistake their axolotls tail being curved in general as a sign of stress but it is only the very tip that you need to look out for. If this happens check your parameters instantly to rule them out as a possible cause.
- White/discoloured patches: When your axolotl gets heat stress occasionally they can develop white patches on their skin that aren't raised but just there (they are actually due to the mucous skin coat so they will feel indifferent and will not be raised). The main cause of this is when your temperature is too high and your axolotl is therefore stressed. Remember, a temperature above 20 degrees Celsius is too high and can cause health issues.
- Extremely active: If you find your axolotl is extremely active, a lot more then normal, then it could very well be caused due to bad water. When you have high levels of nitrate, nitrite, or ammonia they can very easily irritate your axolotl and therefore make them very active and unsettled. If you see this happen, do a water test immediately. If you find you do have a spike, put your axolotl in fresh, dechlorinated water instantly and do a large water change on the tank. It's important to remember that if left untouched, a spike can be fatal to your axolotl so it's better to act fast and then find out nothing is wrong, rather than not act fast enough, or not act at all, and do serious damage to your axolotls health.
- Not eating: If your axolotl suddenly stops eating, or refuses to eat after a number of days, there is a possibility there is something wrong. It's important to note here that if you have entered winter, or some other environment change, that results in your tank cooling down your axolotl may decide to eat less. This is because a lower temperature lowers their metabolism which can leave them wanting and accepting food less often. There are however, many other reasons that can stop your axolotl from eating. So, if you find this happens, check for any other symptoms or changes in your axolotl. Check the water parameters and note them down (obviously f they aren't what they should be do a water change). Once you have this research consult an experienced axolotl keeper or an exotic vets that has experience with axolotl. An axolotl that isn't eating can be a simple problem such as constipation, or it can be a very serious underlying problem which is why it's important to seek help if your axolotl ever shows changes in behavior or any symptoms that suggest stress or illness.
- Floating: Occasionally you get an axolotl that really loves to float near the surface of the water. For new owners especially this can be a cause for concern but in reality it's often nothing to worry about. If you do find your axolotl doing this then you can give them a wee nudge to get them down to the bottom - if they go down and stay down by themselves they are perfectly fine. If they can't seem to stay down, are floating unwillingly straight back up, or their rear end starts trying to float up, then the most common cause is constipation or gas. Monitor them for 24-48hrs. If after this period they are still struggling to not float then you can pop them in the fridge (check out our fridging guide first) which will help them pass the gas or any constipation issues. Once you are satisfied they have passed their issue and are no longer struggling to float reintroduce them to the tank. It is important not to fridge them too hastily though as it can be quite stressful which is why it's best to monitor for a period of time first.
The above list is only a handful of symptoms and causes of potential illness. There are many other things that can affect your axolotl like parasites, genetic or nutritional issues, wounds, fungus/bacterial issues, etc. For further reading on this subject, a list of safe medication, or to see photos of some common symptoms, please visit this page.
Note: The most common cause of illness is bad water. Always check your water with a liquid test kit (strip tests are notoriously wrong and unreliable) as soon as you notice something wrong.
If your axolotl exhibits any of the above behavior/symptoms, or any changes in general that you are uncertain about, please do not hesitate to contact us. Note down all changes/symptoms, in both your axolotl and it's environment, plus the water parameters, and email us. We will reply as soon as we can. Or, consult a vet that has axolotl experience. It's always better to be safe then sorry. No question is too small or too silly.