Axolotls can seem perfectly fine one day and be dying the next, so it’s important for axolotl owners to watch for signs of illness or distress. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: look for symptoms like lesions, fungal infections, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, lethargy, curling gills, swelling, or rapid weight loss.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all the possible signs and symptoms that indicate an axolotl’s health is declining. By understanding what to look for, you can hopefully catch issues early, take appropriate action, and save your beloved pet.
How Healthy Axolotls Normally Behave
Typical movement and activity levels
Healthy axolotls are fairly active creatures that enjoy exploring their habitat. You can expect a healthy axolotl to swim around frequently, foraging for food along the tank bottom and climbing over decorations. Their gills should move constantly as they swim, helping them breathe underwater.
Axolotls don’t have a set sleep schedule, but will take breaks to rest on the tank floor or nestle among plants. Periods of activity and rest are normal as long as your axolotl seems energetic overall. Lethargic behavior with little movement is a red flag.
Normal feeding response
These salamanders love eating and will eagerly snap up food when offered. It’s normal for a healthy axolotl to swim quickly to the surface at feeding time. They use their strong sense of smell to locate food.
You should also see your axolotl swallow and digest food normally. The food should pass smoothly through the body within 12-24 hours. Your axolotl may push uneaten food away with its face if it’s full.
Regular waste production
A healthy axolotl will regularly produce waste in the form of poop and pee. Axolotl poop is typically brown or green, about 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch long, and will readily fall from the body.
Peeing is harder to observe but look for a white milky cloud when your axolotl is sitting on the tank floor. Waste should fully dissolve or be easy to siphon away during tank cleanings.
Irregular pooping schedules or stringy, hard feces can signal constipation issues. An axolotl straining to pass waste may indicate impaction. Cloudy tank water, odor, or slime coat point to poor water quality.
Physical Symptoms of Illness
Lesions, ulcers, fungus or blisters
One of the most obvious signs of illness in axolotls is the appearance of lesions, ulcers, fungus, or blisters on their skin. These abnormalities often indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Small white spots that look like grains of salt could be early fungal lesions.
Larger open sores or red ulcers are very concerning and need prompt treatment. Fungal infections like red leg disease can rapidly kill axolotls if left untreated.
Difficulty breathing
Healthy axolotls have no trouble breathing and display a steady rhythm of opening and closing their gills. Labored breathing with the mouth opening and closing rapidly could mean respiratory distress. Axolotls gulp air at the surface when suffering from low oxygen levels in the tank water.
Poor water quality, gill damage, or infections can all cause problems with breathing.
Buoyancy issues
Axolotls that float or sink have something wrong with their swim bladders. The swim bladder allows them to control their buoyancy and stay suspended in the water. A swollen or deformed swim bladder will make axolotls float helplessly at the top of the tank.
On the other hand, a shrunken swim bladder leads to sinking and trouble staying off the bottom. These buoyancy problems are often linked to poor nutrition or water quality.
Swollen abdomen
An enlarged, swollen belly in axolotls can have several concerning causes. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen, called ascites, happens with liver or kidney disease. Massive bloating from constipation also distends the abdomen.
An egg-bound female with a large clutch of unlaid eggs may also display a swollen belly. Swollen organs like the liver or kidneys can cause the abdomen to protrude.
Gill deformities or curling
The feathery external gills are very delicate and vulnerable to damage in axolotls. Ammonia burns, fungal infections, and low water quality can all cause gill curling, shortening, or clubbing. Axolotls need healthy, full length gills to breathe properly and circulate blood flow.
Never remove gills yourself, allow damaged gills to heal or regrow on their own.
Rapid weight loss
Axolotls with chronic diseases like liver disease, intestinal parasites, or cancer will often show rapid weight loss and muscle wasting. If your axolotl is eating well but still losing weight, it needs an urgent veterinary exam.
Unchecked weight loss leads to emaciation, lethargy, and eventually death. Maintain your axolotl’s weight with a proper diet and treat any underlying illness.
Behavioral Changes
Refusing to eat
Axolotls are voracious eaters in their natural habitat, so a sudden disinterest in food can be an ominous sign. If your axolotl stops eating for more than a day or two, it likely means something is wrong. Potential causes include:
- Stress – Moving homes, poor water quality, or tankmates bullying them can cause stress that inhibits appetite.
- Illness – Bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, etc. may make them not want to eat.
- Obstructions – Something lodged in their throat or digestive tract obstructs eating.
- Injury – Mouth or throat injuries from sharp decor or tankmates makes eating painful.
You’ll need to identify and address the underlying issue. Make sure tank conditions are pristine, separate bullies, treat any diseases, and allow time to recover. Offer treats like live blackworms to entice a sick axolotl to eat. If anorexia persists beyond 2-3 days, seek vet assistance.
Lethargy and lifelessness
Axolotls are normally active animals, spending their time exploring, foraging, and interacting peacefully with tankmates. A lethargic, immobile axolotl floating in one place is exhibiting abnormal behavior that demands attention. Causes may include:
- Illness – Bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections can sap their energy.
- Stress – Poor water quality, bullying, or improper handling stresses them.
- Injury – Broken bones, sprains, or trauma from decor or bullies.
- Malnutrition – Not eating enough due to aforementioned issues.
Test water parameters and perform partial water changes to optimize water cleanliness. Treat any illnesses present. Separate bullies and rearrange decor to create safe hiding spots. Allow time to recover once underlying problems are addressed.
Consult an exotic vet if lethargy persists beyond a few days.
Isolated hiding
Axolotls are social, so a solitary axolotl constantly hiding itself away should raise red flags. Potential reasons include:
- Stress – Bullying, poor water quality, improper handling, or other issues may cause them to hide.
- Illness – Infections or disease makes them want to be alone.
- Injury – Broken bones, sprains, or trauma from decor or bullies.
- Sensitivity – Bright light, loud noises, or frequent activity stresses them.
Identify and resolve any husbandry issues stressing them out. Treat any illnesses present. Rearrange decor and plants to provide sheltered hiding spots. Avoid overhandling sensitive individuals, keep lighting dim, and provide quiet areas.
If isolation continues beyond a few days, seek exotic vet assistance.
Erratic swimming
Axolotls normally swim smoothly and purposefully. Erratic, abnormal swimming can signal emerging health issues, including:
- Illness – Bacterial or fungal infections impacting gills/lungs may cause labored breathing and abnormal swimming.
- Parasites – Flukes, worms, etc. can affect swimming and coordination.
- Obstructions – Something lodged in throat/digestive tract may cause distress.
- Injury – Broken bones, sprains, neurological issues lead to uncontrolled swimming.
- Toxins – Ammonia burns, chlorine exposure, metals, etc. can cause seizures/spasms.
Test water and perform partial water changes to eliminate any toxins or waste buildup. Inspect thoroughly for obstructions lodged in the throat. Treat any infections or parasites present. Allow time to recover once underlying issues are resolved.
Seek exotic veterinary assistance if abnormal swimming continues beyond a day or two.
Environmental Risk Factors
Poor water quality
Maintaining excellent water quality is crucial for axolotl health. High ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate levels from improper cycling, overcrowding, or lack of maintenance can poison axolotls and cause life-threatening conditions like ammonia burn.
Symptoms of poor water quality include lethargy, reddening or darkening of the gills, loss of appetite, and superficial fungal infections on the skin. To avoid poor water quality, test parameters frequently, perform adequate water changes, don’t overfeed, and maintain appropriate stocking levels.
The ideal parameters are 0 ppm ammonia and nitrite and < 20 ppm nitrate. Improving water quality quickly can reverse adverse effects in mildly affected axolotls.
Incorrect water temperature or pH
Axolotls require cool water between 60-68°F (15-20°C) to thrive. Temperatures above 74°F (23°C) can be dangerous and may lead to disease, starvation, and eventual death. Symptoms of overheating include lethargy, loss of appetite, reddening of the gills, and susceptibility to sickness.
An aquarium chiller is recommended to maintain suitable temperatures. Additionally, axolotls prefer a neutral pH between 7.0-8.0. Drastic pH swings can stress the immune system and increase disease risk. Use crushed coral or chemicals to increase pH and peat moss or chemicals to lower pH if needed.
Bullying from tankmates
Axolotls should not be housed with fish that nip at their gills like goldfish or aggressive bottom-dwellers that compete for food. Small crustaceans or smooth-bodied fish like white cloud mountain minnows make better tankmates.
However, even appropriate tankmates may harass weaker or injured axolotls and should be removed. Signs of bullying include damaged gills, missing limbs or digits, open wounds, and increased hiding and lethargy. Never house axolotls together as they will attack each other.
Provide plenty of hides and keep tank water cool to curb aggression.
Unsafe decorations
Sharp decorations or substrate can injure axolotls as they glide along the tank bottom. Sand and pebbles under 2 inches diameter pose impaction risks if accidentally swallowed during feeding. Plastic plants can also rip delicate gill filaments.
Instead, use smooth, rounded aquarium rocks larger than the axolotl’s head and soft silk or live plants. Inspect ornaments for rough edges and discard or sand down as needed. Check frequently for signs of injury like scraped bellies or frayed gills and remove problematic decor.
With safe tank decor, axolotls can thrive free of lacerations and internal damage.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Severe skin lesions or bleeding
Axolotls have delicate skin that can be easily injured. Severe skin lesions or bleeding warrants immediate veterinary attention. Small scratches or cuts can quickly become infected in aquatic environments.
Deep lesions may damage underlying tissue and muscle, leading to abscesses or difficulty swimming and feeding. Significant bleeding indicates a major wound and rapid blood loss. According to veterinarians, axolotls losing more than 10% of their blood volume are considered in critical condition.
Emergency care is needed to stop bleeding, treat wounds, and prevent hypovolemic shock.
Not able to remain upright
Healthy axolotls maintain an upright, vertical body position in the water. An axolotl that is consistently tilted sideways or unable to right itself may be suffering from buoyancy problems, malnutrition, infection, or underlying health conditions.
Axolotls use delicate gill filaments to regulate their buoyancy. Damage to the gills can cause floating or sinking. Bacterial or fungal infections can also increase buoyancy issues. While minor occasional floating may resolve on its own, persistent loss of orientation likely indicates a severe problem requiring quick veterinary assessment and treatment.
No gill movement
The feathery external gills of axolotls move constantly to propel water over the gills and allow for respiration. According to experts, gill movement should be visible at all times. Lack of gill motion can indicate critical problems like respiratory infections, low oxygen levels in the tank water, or neurological issues.
Without immediate emergency care, axolotls can quickly suffocate due to inadequate oxygen exchange and gas exchange imbalance. Veterinary assistance is urgently needed to diagnose the underlying cause and stabilize the axolotl if gill movement has stopped.
Unresponsive overall
Along with checking for gill movement, it is important to watch for overall sluggishness or unresponsiveness. Healthy axolotls are fairly active and alert. While they may rest in one place for periods, they should readily respond to stimuli and accept food when offered.
According to veterinarians, any axolotl that is abnormally lethargic and non-reactive for more than a day could be seriously ill. Potential causes include systemic bacterial infections, toxicity, metabolic disorders, parasites, or critical tank conditions.
Immediate veterinary care is crucial to identify problems and begin prompt life-saving treatment before the axolotl’s condition declines further.
Conclusion
Catching signs of illness quickly is crucial for an axolotl’s survival chances. While some minor issues can be treated at home, advanced diseases may require a vet’s expertise. With this guide on what to look for, axolotl owners should hopefully spot health problems early and take prompt action.
Acting fast to diagnose the underlying cause and beginning proper treatment gives an axolotl its best odds of pulling through.
