Male Axolotl biting female - salt bath and fridging advice needed.

[NeilP]

Hello

I have two axolotls (one boy and one girl, I've had them for 6 months) and I recently changed them to feeding every other day.

Since then, the female has lost two gils and then red marks appeared on two of her legs Which my local aquatic centre said looked like bite marks rather than red leg). This morning, the female's front left leg is having on by a thread.

I was going to the by a divider for my tank to stop them mating but now it seems I need to buy it asap to stop the male eating the female. I have a 125 ltr tank so space should not be an issue, but does anyone have any advice and will the female need a salt bath or anything else?

 

[NeilP]

Update: I have now given the female a salt bath and fridged her. I assume this is the right thing to do given that her leg is a hanging on by a thread and that thread is cotton wool like. I will salt bath her twice a day but I am unsure how long she is going to need to be fridged for, can anyone please give me some advice so I know if I am doing the right things and also so I know how long I need to do them for.

Thanks

 

[Frekl’s Mom]

Hello

I have two axolotls (one boy and one girl, I've had them for 6 months) and I recently changed them to feeding every other day.

Since then, the female has lost two gils and then red marks appeared on two of her legs Which my local aquatic centre said looked like bite marks rather than red leg). This morning, the female's front left leg is having on by a thread.

I was going to the by a divider for my tank to stop them mating but now it seems I need to buy it asap to stop the male eating the female. I have a 125 ltr tank so space should not be an issue, but does anyone have any advice and will the female need a salt bath or anything else?

I’ve read many times that salt baths are not safe for axolotls…tea baths are the recommended instead…

 

[axie owner]

yes salt baths can be damaging to your axolotls slime coat. i recommend doing a daily black tea bath for one week. the tea will sooth your axies skin. and help with healing.

 

[NeilP]

Update: I have now given the female a salt bath and fridged her. I assume this is the right thing to do given that her leg is a hanging on by a thread and that thread is cotton wool like. I will salt bath her twice a day but I am unsure how long she is going to need to be fridged for, can anyone please give me some advice so I know if I am doing the right things and also so I know how long I need to do them for.

Thanks

I’ve read many times that salt baths are not safe for axolotls…tea baths are the recommended instead…

Thanks for coming back to me...

Ok I can stop the salt baths and do tea baths instead. Is it just normal black tea I should use as when I went to by some, I couldn't see any brands that specified 100% black tea.

Also, what about the fridging, is that the right thing to be doing also or should I just keep the injured Axolotl in a bucket or similar at normal temperatures? Any advice welcomed.

 

[axolotl nerd]

Thanks for coming back to me...

Ok I can stop the salt baths and do tea baths instead. Is it just normal black tea I should use as when I went to by some, I couldn't see any brands that specified 100% black tea.

Also, what about the fridging, is that the right thing to be doing also or should I just keep the injured Axolotl in a bucket or similar at normal temperatures? Any advice welcomed.

i wouldnt fridge as there really isn’t any need to at the moment - i only fridge in cases of infection or impaction.
i personally, just check the ingredient list and buy the tea if it has “tea leaves” (or something similar to that) as the only ingredient

 

[NeilP]

Thanks for the reply. I actually took her out of the fridge as I came to the same conclusion. I bought 100% tea yesterday and gave her a tea bath yesterday and today.

I have also bought a divider for the tank which will be arriving tomorrow. Once I have set up the tank, should I be looking to move her back in as soon as possible (I realise I need to do a 25% / 50% / 75% water mix before putting her back in) or should I be keeping her isolated until the leg has healed more (I have no idea how long it will take to repair properly)?

Thanks again.

 

[NeilP]

Update: Sick axolotl is now back in the tank and the tank now has a divider in so the male can no longer nibble bit of the female.