Red bumps on my axolotl

[Neptune]

Today I went to perform the weekly water change in the axolotl tank and noticed my leucistic had two red bumps: one large bump by the left nostril, and a smaller bump by the mouth.

I've just carried out a water test and the results are:

pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 0.5 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 40 ppm

The ammonia and nitrate levels could do with being lowered, however please do remember that today is the day of their weekly water change.

I have two axolotls in this tank. My other axolotl doesn't have these red bumps. Could it just be an injury caused by swimming into a hide for example?

I've also taken a picture so you can see the bumps for yourselves.



I don't really know what it is myself, and was hoping somebody who's experienced this could point me in the right direction and give me some advice. Thanks in advance, it's much appreciated.

 

[Petersgirl]

If the bump is flattish and looks like a red bruise, then I think it's likely he's smacked into something, especially given that they tend to 'point' with their noses and faces. I would recommend adding a small amount of tea bath to the water to soothe and prevent infection, and if you are using a dechlorinator that contains aloe vera such as Stress Coat + or Reptisafe, so much the better. Here's the recipe for a tea bath in case you need it:

I mainly use teabaths for minor skin problems. It may also be used with fungal problems but on that account I prefer salt baths. Tea has a slightly antifungal and antibacterial effect (resulting from tannins) and additionally it closes the pores in the skin a little bit (mainly resulting from tannin and caffeine). The skin tightens and gets some kind of protective layer, making it harder for fungi and bacteria to intrude the body. On the other hand it makes it harder for salt or medicine to reach pathogens which are already inside the body - that is the reason I do not use it on fungal infections, although a tea bath is sometimes recommended as a cure for fungal infections by some people.
The medication is as follows: I take one bag of black tea without any additional aroma (it is important to use black tea because this kind of tea is fermented and so it has tannins) for every 10 litres of water (preferably used in a quarantine tank). This tea gets dashed with boiling water in a seperate bowl - I leave it there for at least 10 to 15 minutes so the tannins are resolved into the water. The tea has to cool down and is finally added to the quarantine water. After a week I make a bigger change of water (60% at least), the rest of the tea is removed over time by normal water changes. If you have to make more regular water changes (f.i. in a small bowl or tank) the tea concentration can be refilled. As far as I know there are no negative effects even for long term treatment.
A similar effect (although not as strong) may have the addition of dried oak or beech leafs now and then as a precaution.

This should also help to keep fungus out. Obviously, keep an eye out for fungus, boils, sores or other complications, but if it's simply a 'bump' then the tea bath will soothe any sore skin and keep infection out. Hope this helps!

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[Neptune]

Thanks for the reply.

Currently I do use a dechlorinator that contains aloe vera, which I add in small quantities to each fresh bath of water (i.e. once a week). Also, the red bump by the nostril is rather large, especially in comparison to the smaller bump by the mouth, and is very much raised and not flat like a bruise. I've only just noticed it today because I usually only see him when it's night time and it's too dark to really notice. It may have been present for a couple of days, but certainly no more than that.

The tea bath water sounds like a good idea, and I'll have a look at doing that shortly.

 

[Petersgirl]

A bit of mystery methinks! You could pad your entire tank with Styrofoam and I guarantee somehow your axolotl will bruise or knock itself at some point...they are clumsy, especially when they do U Turns

I think the tea bath will soothe regardless of how it was caused, though I hope he starts looking better soon!

Also, if you can (you don't have to) you can age your water by leaving dechlorinator in it for a minimum of 12 hours. I age mine for up to a week for my water changes - I have heard it said that it is better for the axolotls this way as you can carefully measure dechlorinator and be sure that it has had a chance to clear all the chlorine and chloramines from the water sample. Just a thought, someone told me about it when my axolotl was poorly and I've done so ever since.

 

[Neptune]

Upon closer inspection it looks like he's cut himself on something, and that the raised bump is where the skin is now slightly detached. The large 'bump' has lost some of the red colouration and isn't as red as the smaller bump. The smaller bump is actually just one of those toggle-like things that they have on either side of their mouth, and so it looks like he's just whacked it and now it's turned into a red bruise (he is a leucistic, after all, and so bruises would come up red).

Thanks for the well wishes, I'm sure he's going to make a speedy recovery. :happy:

 

[emmyk]

Can you use small amounts of the tea bath regularly? To keep away fungus? I'm so paranoid about my axie getting a fungal infection.

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[pookiewn]

Can you use small amounts of the tea bath regularly? To keep away fungus? I'm so paranoid about my axie getting a fungal infection.

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It's best not to try any treat illnesses that aren't there, it'll end up stressing your axie and will end up causing illnesses. Good water quality, a clean tank and a regular diet of earthworms are the best way to ensure a healthy happy axie :happy:

You can put driftwood into your tank, which will release tannins into the tank. Tannins are the same thing in tea that heals wounds.

 

[Dipsy66]

A bit of mystery methinks! You could pad your entire tank with Styrofoam and I guarantee somehow your axolotl will bruise or knock itself at some point...they are clumsy, especially when they do U Turns

I'd agree.....my axie swam upwards towards the top of the tank tonight then dived right down, landing face first in the sand and stayed like that for a second or two....it was amusing to see. They are very clumsy......

Hope your little guy makes a speedy recovery.

 

[Neptune]

Just thought I'd update you all that he's doing fine. The redness has reduced and he's still eating fine. Thanks for the well wishes, Audrey says thanks too!