Axolotl Salt Bath : How To Give An Axolotl A Salt Bath? 7 Cool Facts

Upon discovering that your axolotl has a fungal infection, you need to consider giving him a salt bath. A salt bath, especially when used in conjunction with fridging, tends to be quite effective at treating axolotl fungal infections.

What is the proper way to give an axolotl salt bath? Well, you only need to mix 1-2 liters of de-chlorinated water with non-iodized salt, at the rate 2-3 teaspoons per liter. Transfer the water to the container where you are about to give the axolotl the salt bath. Thereafter, gently move the axolotl into that container. Let him stay there for 10-15 minutes (and no more). Then remove him from the salt bath container, and take him back to the fridge or quarantine tank.

You need to repeat the axolotl salt bath like twice per day, until the fungus clears (but certainly not for more than two weeks).

In this article, you will find instructions on when and how to give your axolotl a proper salt bath. We will also answer frequently asked questions about salt baths for axolotls – like on their safety, the type of salt to use, how frequently to give the salt baths and the precautions to observe.

How Do I Give My Axolotl A Salt Bath?

Firstly, you need to prepare the solution with which to give the axolotl salt bath. While trying to learn how to give an axolotl a salt bath, this is the first step. The solution needs to be made of de-chlorinated water and non-iodized salt.

You just mix 1-2 liters of de-chlorinated water with non-iodized salt. This you do at the rate of 2-3 teaspoons of salt per liter of water. Then you move the solution to the container where you are to give the salt bath.

You may then need to refrigerate the solution, to bring it to the same temperature as that of the fridging tub that the axie will be coming from. This is to prevent temperature shocks.

Secondly, you need to move the axolotl from the fridging tub (or from the quarantine tank if you opted not to fridge him) to the bath container. This is the second key thing to pay attention to, while trying to learn how to give an axolotl a salt bath.

Just ensure that you are as gentle as possible in handling the axie. But then again, remember that axolotls are rather slippery. So you need to handle him gently but also firmly lest he slips.

You then need to let the axie stay in the container where you are giving the salt bath for 10-15 minutes. Ensure that he doesn’t stay there longer. You can use a timer to that end.

Thereafter, you need to transfer the axie back to the fridge (or to the quarantine tank, if you opted not to fridge him). Before doing so, you may need to pour out the water that was previously in the fridging tub or quarantine tank. Then introduce fresh water, and put the axie back.

Is Salt Bad For Axolotls?

Where salt is used in giving an axolotl salt bath, then it is not bad. On the contrary, it is helpful in treating axolotl fungus infections. But it is important to remember that overexposure to salt may harm an axie.

For instance, if the axolotl stays in the salt bath container for too long (beyond 10-15 minutes), he may dry up. If he stays there for very long, it can actually cause his death.

It is also important to point out that when it comes to giving axolotl salt baths, not just any type of salt is suitable. The only type of salt that is suitable is non-iodized salt. If, for instance, you use ordinary table salt (which is iodized) in giving an axolotl fungus salt bath, then it can be bad for the Axie.

How Much Salt Does An Axolotl Need?

The question on how much salt an axolotl needs always comes up whenever there are discussions on how to give an axolotl a salt bath. It is a relevant question, and any tutorial on how to give an axolotl a salt bath that evades this question would be deficient.

So, how much salt does an axolotl need? The answer is that an axolotl needs 2-3 tablespoons of salt per liter of water to be used in giving a salt bath.

Any decent axolotl salt bath tutorial will further tell you that how much salt to use depends on the size of grains (in the salt). Where there are bigger grains, you use more teaspoons (like 3 per liter of water). And where there are smaller grains, you use fewer teaspoons (like 2 per liter of water).

All this is of course with regard to the salt used in axolotl fungus treatment. And these figures are strictly for axolotls. If, for instance, we were talking about a newt salt bath, different figures/salt doses would apply.

Do Axolotls Like Salt?

Anyone who is considering give an axolotl salt bath may find themselves wondering whether axies like salt. The truth of the matter is that axolotls are able to tolerate salt. But it is not something that they really like. Salt baths seem to stress them a bit.

So just as an axolotl tea bath causes some stress to a axie, so does a salt bath. For this reason, you should only give an axolotl salt bath to an axie that actually has real fungal infections. And you should stop the salt baths as soon as the infection clears.

Thus, we don’t give salt baths to axolotls because they enjoy them. On the contrary, we give salt baths to axolotls because they are beneficial to them. It is similar to how we sometimes have to give methylene blue axolotl treatments, in spite of the axies clearly not liking them. So in these scenarios, it is about what is good for the axie, rather than what the axie likes.

How To Give An Axolotl A Salt Bath?

Giving an axolotl a salt bath is just a matter of adding non-iodized salt to de-chlorinated water. That is, 1-2 liters of water mixed with salt at the rate of 2-3 tablespoons per liter. Then you put this solution in a container that is suitable for giving an axolotl a bath. Thereafter, you move the axolotl to the container.

Let him stay there for 10-15 minutes strictly, and no more. Then remove him. Take him back to the fridge or quarantine tank you took him from.

Just repeat this axolotl white fungus treatment (twice per day) until the fungal infection clears. But let the treatment not go on for more than 2 weeks. If the fungal treatment doesn’t clear by then, consult a vet rather than continuing with the salt baths.

What Kind Of Salt Should I Use For An Axolotl Salt Bath?

For an axolotl salt bath, you need to use non-iodized salt. If you use iodized salt, it could harm your axie. So what you need to use is sea salt, aquarium salt or rock salt. A question may arise here, about the propriety of giving an Epsom salt axolotl bath. But there may be questions about the efficacy of the Epsom salt bath axolotl receives, especially with regard to fungal infections.

Most of the tutorials on how to give axolotl salt bath talk of sea salt, aquarium salt and rock salt. There doesn’t seem to be much literature focusing on axolotl Epsom salt bath, especially for fungal infections. So it is best to stick with sea salt, aquarium salt and rock salt. But then, there are those who regard Epsom salt as an aquarium salt: though its chemical composition is radically different from that of, say, sea salt or rock salt.

Is Fridging And Salt Bath The Solution For Fungus In Axolotls?

Well, fridging and salt baths tend to be highly effective solutions for fungus in axolotls. Fridging by itself is effective. An axolotl salt bath is also quite effective by itself. But when you combine the two of them, you tend to get very good results in resolving fungus infections in axies.

Can Salt Baths Make Axolotl Stressed?

Yes. The downside to salt baths for axolotls is that they have the potential to cause a bit of stress to the axie. But the salt bath is still better than letting the axolotl continue suffering from fungal infections. For instance, suppose you have axolotl white fungus on gills that is affecting the axies’ breathing.

In that case, you find that it is better to subject the axolotl to a salt bath, if that is what it will take to solve the problem and potentially save the axie’s life.

How To Destress Axolotl After Salt Bath?

The most effective way to de-stress an axolotl after a salt bath is by fridging him. The cool fridge temperature is sure to calm him down, and help him lower the stress levels. Fridging also helps to fight the fungal infection you were trying to treat with the salt bath.

So by fridging the axie, you kill two birds with the same stone. First, you de-stress him. And secondly, you also end up augmenting the fungal treatment.

Is Salt Bath For Axolotls Safe?

Yes, salt baths for axolotls are safe: as long as you do it in the right manner. The key things to pay attention to are, firstly, seeing to it that you don’t use too much salt. Secondly, ensure that you don’t let the axolotl stay in the water for too long.

Thus, an axolotl salt bath will be unsafe if you either use too much salt or if you allow the axie to stay in the salt bath for too long. Otherwise it should be safe. (That is assuming you are also able to move the axie into and out of the bath water safely).

Is Salt Bath For Baby Axolotl Safe?

A baby axolotl may not be able to withstand the stress that comes with a salt bath. So it may not be very appropriate, unless it is inevitable. Then again, there are people who use salt baths even for axie eggs that have fungal infections. The people from that school of thought may certainly not have any qualms giving salt baths to baby axies.

Ultimately, if you have a baby axolotl with a fungal infection, it may be ideal to consult your (exotic pets) vet. He may suggest a better fungal infection treatment. But if a salt bath is all that is available, you can still proceed with it. Just be extra careful.

Final Verdict – Axolotl Salt Bath

As we have seen, salt baths can be quite effective at clearing fungal infections in axolotls. The most important thing is to ensure that you do it right – with the right amount of salt, and only allowing the axie to stay in the bath for the right amount of time.

You also need to ensure that you give the Axolotl salt baths with the right frequency (usually twice per day), and for long enough to clear the fungal infection. But then again, you need to avoid continuing with the salt baths for too long (beyond 2 weeks), lest you cause harm.

Ultimately, if the fungal infection is not clearing even after carrying on with the salt baths for long enough (like the maximum two weeks), it may be better to consult a vet. 

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️