Newts & axolotls

Floating disease (bloat)

SignsFloats and cannot sink, swollen belly, turns upside down, not eating

PreventionKeep water cool and stable, prevent air gulping and indigestion, do not overfeed

Fungal (water mold) and skin infections

SignsWhite cotton-like growth on gills or skin, shrinking gills, skin sores

PreventionChange water 1–2 times a week, avoid injuries, keep water at or below 20°C

Gill shrinkage / regression

SignsExternal gills become short and thin, poor gill color, gaping at the surface

PreventionAvoid poor water quality (ammonia) and high temperatures; use a filter and aeration

Intestinal blockage (gravel ingestion)

SignsNot eating, no feces, swollen belly, floating

PreventionUse no substrate or pieces too large to swallow; feed with tweezers

Ascites / edema

SignsWhole body or belly swells, skin stretched and translucent, not moving

PreventionKeep water clean, avoid extremes of cold and heat; see a vet for kidney or infection problems

Cannibalism / bite injuries

SignsMissing limbs, gills or tail; wound turns white

PreventionDo not house animals of different sizes together; keep singly as a rule; feed enough

Lost limbs or gills

PreventionKeep singly; if housed together, same size and well fed; no live feeder fish in the tank

First aidIsolate in clean, cool water. It will regenerate, but see a vet if it festers

Skin lacerations and abrasions

PreventionNo sharp driftwood or gravel; move with a container, not a net

First aidKeep in clean water; see a vet if the wound spreads or turns white

Jumping out / drying out

PreventionAlways fit a lid, do not startle, do not fill the water to the rim

First aidPick up with wet hands and return to water at once. See a vet if the skin has dried

Weakness from high water temperature

PreventionKeep a thermometer in place; use a cooling fan, air conditioning or an aquarium chiller in summer

First aidCool slowly, 1–2°C at a time, with a frozen plastic bottle. See a vet if it does not move

Tetrodotoxin poisoning

RouteFire-bellied newt skin toxin entering the mouth, eyes or a wound

PreventionDo not handle bare-handed; wash hands after contact; keep children and pets from mouthing it

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched tank water or feces

PreventionWash hands with soap after water changes, never wash the tank in the kitchen, keep infants from touching

Aeromonas infection

RouteDirty tank water contacting a wound

PreventionWear gloves if you have cuts; see a doctor if a wound becomes red and swollen

Parasites (nematodes etc.)

RouteOral infection from feces or tank water

PreventionClean with gloves, do not share equipment, fecal test after purchase

Food

• Axolotl pellets as the staple; juveniles daily
• Adults every 2–3 days, no more than keeps the belly from bulging
• Frozen bloodworms and tubifex; newts mainly frozen bloodworms

Water

• Dechlorinated water; change 1/3–1/2 once or twice a week
• Water temperature 18–22°C; keep ammonia at zero

Toys & play

• No stimulation needed; let it chase food from tweezers
• Keep the current weak; baffle the filter outflow
• For newts, a waterside land area and aquatic plants for a natural setup

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dark hiding place such as a clay pipe or shelter
• For newts, a floating island or driftwood to climb onto

Bedding & litter

• Axolotl: no substrate (bare tank) is safest
• If used, stones larger than the mouth or, conversely, very fine sand
• Newt: moistened gravel or moss on the land area

Cage / housing material

Glass aquarium or plastic case, with a lid

Size & space

At least 45 cm for one axolotl; at least 30 cm for newts

Layout

• Aeration and a gentle-flow filter
• Several hides; dividers if keeping more than one
• For newts, separate water and land areas, always with a lid

Placement notes

• A cool spot out of direct sunlight and heater drafts
• Avoid vibration, loud noise and places a cat can reach

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed; do not take it out of the tank
• Handle only when moving; scoop with a container rather than a net
• Hand heat damages the skin; always use wet hands

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureWater 18–22°C; above 25°C is dangerous; also avoid below 10°C

HumidityKeep the newt's land area always moist; a lid prevents the tank drying out

Summer & winter

• Summer: cooling fan, air conditioning or aquarium chiller to stay at or below 25°C
• Winter: manage room temperature; no heating needed, but do not drop below 10°C

Nail trimming

No nail trimming needed. See a vet for missing or whitened toe tips

Brushing, skin & coat care

Do not touch the skin. Care means keeping water quality up with water changes and filter cleaning

Other care

Remove leftover food every time, check temperature and water quality daily, remove shed skin

Protection from predators

• Cats: reach into the tank; secure the lid
• Dogs and birds: poisoned by newt toxin; keep them from contact
• Mosquito larvae and mosquitoes: avoid outdoor keeping

Foreign-body ingestion

Snaps at anything that moves and swallows gravel, pebbles and tank-mates' limbs. Use no substrate, feed with tweezers, avoid cohabitation

Being stepped on

As a rule, never take it out of the tank. When removing for cleaning, put it in a container and never set it on the floor

Getting pinched

Body or gills get caught in gaps around the lid or filter. Fit a sponge on the intake and close gaps

Falls

Jumps out of the tank and falls to the floor. Secure the lid and carry the container with both hands when moving. If it falls, pick up with wet hands and return to water at once

Escape

Newts climb walls, escape through gaps and die of desiccation. Always use a lid and a weight. If one escapes, search floor gaps, wet areas and dark places

Safe release procedure

1. Axolotls bite by mistaking you for food; the pain is mild
2. Stay still a few seconds and it lets go by itself
3. If it does not, put your hand in the water and wait quietly
4. Newts do not bite, but always wash hands after touching one

After the release

Wash under running water. Wounds are shallow, but see a doctor if they fester; if newt toxin gets in the eye, rinse and seek medical care

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species and body length, water temperature and quality, diet, tank-mates, photos of symptoms; confirm in advance that the clinic treats amphibians

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Stimulus response: does it move when the tail or toes are touched
• Breathing: check gill movement and throat movement
• Heartbeat: watch chest movement; varies greatly with water temperature

Stopping bleeding

• Rest in clean water; pressure damages the skin
• Keep the water clean and do not touch the bleeding site
• If it does not stop, press lightly with wet gauze and see a vet

Transport

• Sealed container with a small amount of water; keep the temperature stable
• In summer, hold ice packs against the outside, never in direct contact