Can you harm axies by touching them?

[Jess]

I'm just curious, I know you cant touch fish because of the bacteria or whatever from your hands.

Does the same go for axies?

 

[blueberlin]

Hi Jess,

Like fish, axolotls have a slime coat over their skin that serves as a shield against their environment. Touching them (fish or axolotls) can damage this coat, making them vulnerable to various infections. I also find that their skin is very delicate and easily damaged.

If you need to touch your axolotl (e.g., to move it into a container), do so as quickly, gently, and briefly as possible. They aren't really pets in the sense that you can pet them.

At the risk of being pedantic, I will also note you should always wash your hands and forearms very well (and rinse off the soap very well) before putting your hands in the water, much less touching the axolotls.

-Eva

 

[Jess]

Would you recommend using a net?

 

[Kaysie]

You can use a bowl, or if you're gentle, use your hands. Nets work, but can be damaging in their own right.

 

[blueberlin]

I agree with Kaysie - when transporting my axolotl larvae with a net, I slightly injured two of the six - they each have little nicks taken out of their tails. You can also use your hands (see picture) but putting a bowl or container into the aquarium and gently nudging the axolotl into it is probably the least stressful way of moving them.

-Eva

 

[Terri9967]

Wow that axie does not look happy. I think I will stick to the bowl method lol

 

[blueberlin]

haha me too

 

[Foxylady]

If there ever came a situation where you have to handle an axolotl directly , as a vet student i would recommend washing your hands and arms thoroughly as suggested by the other users and as an added precaution wearing some non-powdered latex gloves and making sure your hands are always in the water so are wet or wetted prior to and during handling.