Peeling skin?

steve611

steve611

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One of my Axolotl's has had his skin peeling for a few days now. It almost looks as though it's shedding (not sure if Axolotls shed :S). Just wondering if this is normal or if there is something wrong? My other Axolotl in the same tank is fine and isn't showing any signs of skin peeling.
 
No, I don't have a test kit. Do you think it could be high ammonia? I do 25% water change once a week, should I do it more frequently with everything that's going on?
 
I'd to a few extra water changes this week to be sure it's not a spike in ammonia. The axie shouldn't be shedding its skin. It's normally a sign of bad water quality. The test kits really are a useful investment. Otherwise a local pet shop might be able to test your water for you.

Do you use dechlorinator? If so make sure you're putting the correct amount in as instructed by the bottle.
 
snuggly time said:
I'd to a few extra water changes this week to be sure it's not a spike in ammonia. The axie shouldn't be shedding its skin. It's normally a sign of bad water quality. The test kits really are a useful investment. Otherwise a local pet shop might be able to test your water for you.

Do you use dechlorinator? If so make sure you're putting the correct amount in as instructed by the bottle.
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Just to add to this, you should be using dechlorinator, id reccomend api stress coat, which has aloe in it and adds a slime coat to the axies and also can reduce stress.
The test kits appear pricey, i got mine off ebay for £20 but it has lasted me testing 3 cycling tanks (testing every couple of days for like 6 weeks) and then some, ive had it about 5 months now and its no where near empty, so quite good value for money really.
 
layna said:
Just to add to this, you should be using dechlorinator, id reccomend api stress coat, which has aloe in it and adds a slime coat to the axies and also can reduce stress.
The test kits appear pricey, i got mine off ebay for £20 but it has lasted me testing 3 cycling tanks (testing every couple of days for like 6 weeks) and then some, ive had it about 5 months now and its no where near empty, so quite good value for money really.
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Yeah they do seem expensive, but they last a long time. I've had mine for 5 months and it's still got plenty left.
 
Hmm. I think you might be onto something with the dechlorinator issue. I've used API stress coat with no problem in the past, but I switched to Prime dechlorinator drops recently. Roughly around the same time I first used the Prime dechlorinator was when I first noticed the peeling.

I'll get my water tested at a pet store for now. On a budget since Uni has started and work has stopped. :/ Is the water supposed to smell when its going through an ammonia spike?
 
So I got the water parameters tested. Everything is okay apparently. I still do 25% water changes every 3-4 days just in case, but the peeling skin is still occuring. I've switched back to the original dechlorinator and the peeling skin isn't as bad as it originally was. Still present though and I've noticed my other axolotl now seems to have this condition too. Should I try salt or tea baths??
 
Tea baths might help. Salt baths should only be used for conditions like fungus, if their skin is peeling it would probably agitate it more.
Perhaps it was the prime, were you following the instructions as it says on the bottle? Different products require different amounts.

steve611 said:
I'll get my water tested at a pet store for now. On a budget since Uni has started and work has stopped. :/ Is the water supposed to smell when its going through an ammonia spike?
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What does the water smell like? :confused:
 
Ok thanks for that. Ill give it a shot. Its been About a day since the axie has peeled last. Today i noticed he's losing his darkness in terms of colour. Gills are turning more Red too. It Said to put 2 drops per 4 litres. Id always put in 15 drops, a little bit extra. Could Extra dechlorinator be harmful?

Water doesn't smell Bad. Just smells like an ordinary tank. Doesn't smell like a tank suffering from ammonia spike (had one before and that Stunk Real bad haha).
 
What was the ph when you tested the water? I found when i was having a hard time with a low ph that my axies skin looked dry and flaky, but its gotten better since i started using crushed coral in my filter like filter media. Just a thought anyways!
 
steve611 said:
Ok thanks for that. Ill give it a shot. Its been About a day since the axie has peeled last. Today i noticed he's losing his darkness in terms of colour. Gills are turning more Red too. It Said to put 2 drops per 4 litres. Id always put in 15 drops, a little bit extra. Could Extra dechlorinator be harmful?

Water doesn't smell Bad. Just smells like an ordinary tank. Doesn't smell like a tank suffering from ammonia spike (had one before and that Stunk Real bad haha).
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Yes of course excess dechlorinator can be harmful!

Which fish shop are you using for testing the water? You really should've gotten a test kit since getting your axolotl, they aren't that expensive & you need to have one especially when you're experiencing abnormal skin irritations.

Shedding is not normal & it's awful to continue to keep this lotl in water that's obviously got issues.

I would put this guy into fresh dechlorinated (accurately measured!) water in a tub & do 100% water changes daily & scrub the tub well every 2nd day - until the skin recovered - adding black tea to the water would help soothe the slime coat. Only once you've tested & made the tank healthy would I return the axolotl to that water.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368922466.060697.jpg



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Prime needs to be very carefully measured, that is the advice that I have been given. And it has been suggested to me to age it before adding it too. I bought a measured dropper to make sure I used it carefully as I was advised that it is not good to be heavy handed with it. On the topic of test kits, this is an essential item that you need to obtain as your axolotl's wellbeing depends upon properly balanced water quality.
 
xxianxx said:
Twice in one thread..... axolotls do shed, wether this particular shed is normal or not is up for debate. I would say that an axolotl shedding noticably for a couple of days is not normal.
Check out shedding threads on the forum guys, heres one to get you started http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...xolotl/42747-do-axolotls-shed-their-skin.html
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Well then I'd better make a post...

My axolotls have NEVER shed.. EVER!
I keep my water parameters healthy with regular testing & water changes.
What am I NOT doing right???

Sorry but just because an axolotl can shed it's skin does not mean it should or is meant to!! My skin will shed too when I get sunburned badly but I wouldn't consider it normal or a good thing!!

Water quality is what causes most problems with axolotls skins & it's not rocket science to keep water healthy!!





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snuggly time said:
So how do you know if it's a good skin shed or a bad skin shed?
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Given that shedding isn't a regular occurrence in axolotls that are kept in perfect healthy water conditions - mine are all closely monitored & have grown from 5cm long to 22cm with no signs of ever having shed in 9 months.

We read on here about axolotls shedding & it is almost always linked back to toxic water conditions & shedding or peeling skin is a very obvious sign of stress.

Lack of testing means axolotls are like coal mine canaries - you will only know something's wrong when the poor thing is half dead & suffering from burned irritated slime coat / gill problems... Something so easily eliminated by regularly testing your water parameters & using the tools available (test kits) and vigilance with water changes.

So I'd say it's very rare to see a "good skin shed" if there is in fact any kind of good shedding in axolotls. I would say that if they shed at all, it is a sign of extreme stress & cannot be considered "normal" just because it's happened to more than one tortured axolotl.





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Thanks for the replies. Im getting a test kit on Wednesday Just in case the pet store was wrong. Should i give the tea bath before then or wait till wednesday? Im doing 25 Percent Water changes everyday till then. The peeling returned tonight. Always seems to occur early morning or late night. Is it possible for axolotls to be too cold? Tank is usually around 15 degrees at those times. Heres A photo.
 

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Please remove the axie from the tank water completely & put in a tub of fresh dechlorinated water!!

Stop continuing to watch it peeling & please get it into water that is guaranteed to be safe!

Given the liberal usage of dechlorinator that tank water could have high concentrations of chemical build up that won't even show up on any test!!

Please let you axolotl have a breather in some clean water!! It's cruel to keep it in that tank!!! :(



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