Axolotl water stress

Signs

• Loss of appetite
• Gill deterioration (gills shrinking or damaged)
• Floating uncontrollably (in too-warm water)
• In more severe illness: skin sores, swelling (oedema/ascites)

Cause

Water too warm (keep at 15-18 °C; never above about 22 °C; above 24 °C illness is likely), strong water flow, ammonia or nitrite above 0 ppm, chlorine or chloramine, and stress from light or movement. Stressed axolotls are prone to opportunistic bacterial infections (Pseudomonas, Aeromonas).

What to do

Test the water (ammonia and nitrite should be 0 ppm), bring the temperature into the 15-18 °C range, slow the flow (spray bar or decor in front of the outlet), remove chlorine/chloramine and do water changes. See an amphibian vet if the animal stays off food or shows sores or swelling; bacterial infections need vet-prescribed antibiotics.

If a fish is badly ill, talk to an aquatic vet.

Prevention

Cool (15-18 °C), slow-moving, cycled water with 0 ammonia and nitrite and nitrate under 10 ppm; weekly water changes; out of direct sun; bare bottom, fine sand or rocks larger than the head (gravel gets swallowed and can cause a fatal blockage); keep axolotls without fish; quarantine new animals.