The photos below show specific symptoms or illnesses in axolotls. Additional illness and treatment articles are linked at the bottom of the page.
Constipation
Axolotl with symptoms of constipation. Note odd posture and enlarged cloaca. The animal shown here made a full recovery after removal of gravel to prevent further ingestion. |
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White skin patches
Axolotl with white skin patches. The cause is unknown, but the owner believed it was not fungus, but a shedding problem or protozoan infection. The animal returned to normal after treatment with a tea bath (1 teabag/10 liters or 10 quarts water). |
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Prolapse
Axolotl with a prolapse of the cloaca. |
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Attack by tankmate
This axolotl was attacked by a tankmate, causing the limb to be shredded down to the bone. The limb was amputated, and the regenerating limb is shown in the lower panel. |
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Anchorworm
Anchorworm, a common parasite in goldfish and koi, can also infect axolotls. Treatment requires treating the axolotl with medications sold to treat koi and sterilizing the entire tank to prevent recurrence. |
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Gill infection
Axolotl with infection of gills. See forum thread. |
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Gill infection
Axolotl with infection of gills. See forum thread. |
Caudate Illness Part 1 has additional information, resources and links about treating amphibian illnesses.
Caudate Illness Part 2 has accounts and anecdotes contributed by readers.
Caudate Illness Part 3 has photos of sick newts and salamanders.
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