Two lost limbs later! Please help

Things are going from bad to worse, firstly before i could seperate the paddletailed newt into another tank while i was waiting for the water to mature he bit off Pinkies leg Albino Axolotl....

(long story was sold Axolotl and paddle tailled newt together then found out they cant live together so brought another tank!!)

Now was feeding Socks wild type Axie and Pinkie tonight and Socks mistaken Pinkies leg for food so now i have Pinkie with a lost front leg that the newt had which seems fine no ungus (touch wood) that was a week ago and the other leg is still there but not being used just floating like a spare part.

What do i do to help?

Do i salt bath?

or because of all the trauma do i fridge? If so does anyone have clear instructions for a blonde???

Any help and info welcomed

Cheers Satin xx

I would try fridging your Pinkie for relaxaton. Sounds like Pinkie could do with a holiday anyway!! I wouldn't do salt baths unless there is fungus.

Hi Satin,

As Kira has advised, salt baths are not necessary unless there is fungus.

If the axolotl is eating well and there are no issues with the water quality, then the axolotl can stay where she/he is in the tank and you just need to keep an eye on the wounds for fungus. Warm water and water quality issues will cause fungus to develop and the first thing the fungus will attack is the vulnerable spots such as injuries.

If the other axolotl starts to bully the injured axolotl (this doesn't happen very often, but does happen) or if other problems such as fungus crops up then fridging will be best.

If the axolotl seems stressed by the loss of limbs, fridging will aid the axolotl to relax and get over the trauma of losing a limb.

Fridging:

Set fridge for at least 5 degrees celcius, no lower than this.

Put the axolotl in a container long enough to allow the axolotl to stretch out to its full length.

The water will need to be changed 100% each day with fresh dechlorinated water.

Keep a jug or bottles of dechlorinated water in the fridge, this fridged water will be used for the water changes to as not to subject the axolotl to temperature shocks.

When feeding the axolotls, try to feed them at opposite ends of the tank. It's not always easy to do this, particuarly when you have a greedy axolotl who is more observant, faster, and smarter than their companion/s - but this should help keep accidents from occuring while feeding.

Thankyou guys...

Pinkie is actually doing very well...

Her/his front leg that the newt had has gone just above the elbow.... Looks like Fungus might set in...???

But the one that socks bit has completelydone a u turn he/she is using it again it has a slight mark but otherwise looks good.

Everynight i am just soaking her/him for 10 mins in 2 pints of water to two teaspoons of pure sea salt seems to do the trick.

Socks has stayed out of the way too so that Pinkie can recover !!


The only thing i keep checking is the gills as they are pointing forward which i know can be asign of stress.

Cheers Guys

Satin x

If Pinkie does have a fungus infection, you need to do salt baths 3 times a day where possible (if not possible, it needs to be done twice a day).