Illness/Sickness: Black toe tips?

Hi guys!

I just got an axolotl a few weeks ago and things seem to be going great.
I noticed about two weeks ago that it started to develop white tips on its toes. I read that this was an indication of sexual maturity in the darker type of axolotls (which is the type of my axolotl).

But this week I've noticed that it's developed black toe tips? And this is supposedly another indication of sexual maturity, but only in the lighter types.

Is this weird for the darker types?
I'm a little bit concerned and unsure of whether or not this is normal?
If I could get some help about this, that would be great!

Hello!
Could you post some pictures of your axolotls toes. And his whole set up.
Do you know his water parameters Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate? And also the temp.

Mel

It may take a while to get the pictures but I can certainly try
I checked the parameters this afternoon and they were higher than usual so I did a 100% water change. Would the water conditions affect his toes? :S

I'm not 100% sure.
Do they look the same colour as the rest of his body or darker than that?

Mel

My axie had white toenails when I got him (he's a melanoid so quite dark), and a couple of weeks ago they started going black, i was under the impression that they start with white tips and once they reach maturity they go black, Gomez had white tips when he was young so I dont think white tips indicate maturity but I think black tips do! I dont think your axie has a problem, as from what ive read and experienced its completely normal!

Avoid doing the 100% water changes tis unecessarry and can have a negative effect on the water chemistry, you shouldnt be removing any more than 50% water at a time, and only 10-20% weekly if tank is cycled!

ted22 said:

My axie had white toenails when I got him (he's a melanoid so quite dark), and a couple of weeks ago they started going black, i was under the impression that they start with white tips and once they reach maturity they go black, Gomez had white tips when he was young so I dont think white tips indicate maturity but I think black tips do! I dont think your axie has a problem, as from what ive read and experienced its completely normal!

Avoid doing the 100% water changes tis unecessarry and can have a negative effect on the water chemistry, you shouldnt be removing any more than 50% water at a time, and only 10-20% weekly if tank is cycled!

Click to expand...

Same here.

Oh thank goodness then!
Yep, he had the same thing - the white tips in the beginning then black now. Mine has just probably done the same thing yours has done.
Thank you so much for the information and relieving news (I thought something was wrong with him!).

And I will certainly take up your advice with the water changing

Thanks guys!

They're a lot darker than his body. But after reading the comment below, it's normal for that to happen

Thanks for you help though, Mel!

Just want to echo this point!

Avoid doing the 100% water changes tis unecessarry and can have a negative effect on the water chemistry, you shouldnt be removing any more than 50% water at a time, and only 10-20% weekly if tank is cycled!

Click to expand...