Axolotl Salt Bath Guide

Why Salt Bath An Axolotl?

Salt baths are a treatment for axolotls suffering from skin conditions such as a fungal infection. Fungus can appear as white patches on the skin, or patches of fluff that look like white cotton. When you observe this on your axolotl, the more recommended course of action is to undergo a salt bath, as this will usually kill the fungus after a few days and let your axolotl get back to its happy and healthy old self.

Salt baths are given to sick axolotls with fungal infections. Fungus appears like cotton wool; white, fluffy and fuzzy. It can appear anywhere, but is most commonly seen around a wound or injury. This is a step-by-step guide on how to make a salt bath for your axolotl. A salt bath should be given twice a day, for 10 minutes at a time.

Salt baths are best done in conjunction with fridging, as this will slow your axolotl’s metabolism so the mold is unable to advance as quickly while you work on treatment.

 

How To Give An Axolotl a Salt Bath

Step 1: Preparation

  • Remember that salt bathing is best done in conjunction with fridging, which slows metabolism and causes infections and fungus to spread more slowly. See our guide on how to fridge an axolotl.
  • Mix your salt bath solution
    • Fill a container of 1-2 liter capacity with dechlorinated water.
    • Mix salt into your water at a rate of 2-3 teaspoons per liter
      • NOTE: Do not use table salt. You need to use a non-iodized salt such as sea salt, rock salt, or aquarium salt. Also, if you use a finer grain salt, you’ll have more salt per teaspoon as smaller grains means less air between them. For smaller grain salt you can use a bit closer to 2 teaspoons, for larger grain closer to 3.
  • Refrigerate your solution to make sure it is the same temperature as the water your fridged axolotl is in. This will avoid harmful temperature shock when you salt bathe it.

 

Step 2: The Salt Bath

  • Remove your axolotl’s fridging container and your pre-mixed salt bath solution from the refrigerator. Shake up the salt solution a bit to make sure the salt is fully dissolved.
  • Fill your salt bath tub, and gently move your axolotl from it’s fridging container to the salt bath container.
  • Set a timer for 10-15 minutes
    • NOTE: If you leave your axolotl in the salt solution for too long, it can cause great harm such as bleeding, skin shedding, or damage to gills. Do not forget about your timer.
  • After your timer has gone off remove your axolotl from the water. Put it back in its fridging container and return it to the refrigerator. Remember to follow proper fridging procedure for water changes.
  • You should repeat the salt bathing procedure every 12 hours (so morning and night) until the fungus disappears, and an extra 2-3 days afterwards for safety.
  • It is not advised to keep up salt baths for longer than a week or two, so if the fungus persists past that point you are best off seeking veterinary assistance

 

Step 3: Prepare Next Salt Bath

  • Don’t forget to follow Step 1 and prepare/refrigerate a new salt bath in advance so you can continue uninterrupted treatment.

 

Keep Reading: Axolotl Care Sheet

  1. Tank Size and Requirements
  2. Filter and Water Temperature Requirements
  3. Starting a Nitrogen Cycle
  4. Substrate Requirements
  5. Hides, Plants, and Decor
  6. Tank Cleaning and Water Chemistry
  7. Diet and Nutrition
  8. Illness, Injury, and Treatment
    1. Fridging Guide
    2. Salt Bath Guide – Current Page
  9. Additional Reading and Resources