Axolotls are one of the most adorable and uncanny-looking creatures on Planet Earth. Taking care of them doesn’t require you to take rocket-science lessons. However, little axies can have skin issues at times.
That’s when you realize they need a rejuvenating bath. Are you wondering whether you can give a tea bath to your little axie? Well, many axolotl’ parents give their little ones a tea bath. So can you!
If the axolotl has some skin injury or fungus, a tea bath would be helpful.
Ideally, you have to brew the tea for 10 to 15 minutes and let it cool down. This is when you give a bath to your axie carefully. They’re delicate creatures, so go easy.
Does this answer your question? Well, there is a lot more you have to know about the axolotl tea bath. Is it safe? How much tea do you have to use? What kind of tea do you need to use? There’s a lot you need to know about tea baths for axolotls. Dive right in!
Tea Bath for Axolotl: Is it safe?
It depends on how old your axolotl is. Are they too young? If they’re baby axolotls, a tea bath can be very stressful and distressing for them. It’s possible that the tea bath might be unsafe as well (for little axies).
What if the baby axolotl has a skin condition? Tea bath is probably the only treatment for skin conditions in axolotls. That’s precisely why you need to give them a tea bath, but use the right methodology to save them from the horror since axolotls are easily startled.
The Purpose of Tea Bath for Axolotl
Tea baths are not exactly used for spa-like purposes. You can take your dog for a bath to clean them and give them a spa-like experience, but axolotls need a tea bath for a different reason.
Tea baths are used for treating minor skin conditions in axolotls. Have you ever seen their skin? It’s so delicate and has an uncanny yet very pretty color.
Axolotls are solitary creatures, so they don’t like a lot of overhandling. In fact, they don’t even like being with their own kind.
Tea baths are also good for removing fungal infections. In this case, you can also give them a salt bath. Axolotls might get skin conditions; thus, a tea bath proves to be useful.
Don’t give them a tea bath unless they genuinely have a skin condition. They don’t need a bath per se. Always remember they live in water, so a bath isn’t necessary. But a tea bath can help them get rid of skin conditions.
How to Give a Tea Bath to Your Axolotl?
1. Choose Black Tea (Unflavoured and Unscented)
The foremost step of giving a tea bath is to choose 100% pure black tea. It should not be scented or flavored.
The axolotl is not going to benefit from the aromas or the flavors. Why do you use black tea? It’s a rich source of tannins, so axolotl parents use this particular tea.
2. Brewing the black tea
So, the next step is to brew the black tea. You would need to brew it for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The aim is to dissolve the tannins in the water (completely). There’s an alternative as well.
You can boil the water and then put a black tea bag in it. Let it soak in for about 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Cooling the tea
You can’t put a live axie in hot tea. Allow the water to cool – it should be room temperature. Once the perfect temperature is achieved, you can put the tea in a container (large enough to carry an axolotl).
Put the axolotl in this container for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the bathing is done (you don’t need to rinse them at all), transfer them to their quarantine tank. Please remember that axolotls don’t like overhandling. Never touch them during the bath.
The bath has to be given only if the axolotl has a skin condition. In case of a skin condition, give them a bath on a daily basis for two to three days till your axie gets better.
There is another way to give a tea bath to the axolotl. Here’s what you can do:
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- Brew the tea and then cool it.
- Put the cool tea in the axie’s tank.
- Change the water the next day.
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Make sure the concentration of tea is less, and change the axie’s tank water the very next day.
See also: What are Some Good Names for Axolotls?
How long can an axolotl be in a tea bath?
Axie parents wish to know as to how long they can leave their little one in the tea bath. Ideally, they should not be in the tea bath for longer than 10 to 15 minutes. If you leave the axie in the tea bath for too long, there is a risk their gills would shrink.
The concentration of tea should be low so that the axie can stay in longer. Even if you are putting a cup of tea in ten liters of tank water, you need to change the water the next day.
If the container is small (the one in which you are giving a bath to the axie), then the bath should not be longer than 10 to 15 minutes.
Tannins for Axolotl: Are they good for axies?
When axolotls get a tea bath, they get exposed to tannins. Are tannins good for your axies? Absolutely! Tannins have antifungal and antibacterial properties.
They help in solving multiple skin issues that axies face. Tannins are very good for your axie, so make sure you use black tea. Black tea is rich in tannin. Don’t use any other tea.
Please note that only unflavoured and no fragrance black tea is to be used. The fragrance or flavor will startle the axolotl. Don’t make the experience overwhelming for these little creatures.
How much tea is needed for the bath?
When you give a tea bath to your little axie, you have to know how much tea you need to add to the bath. Two to three tea bags are enough for a single bath.
Brew the tea for about 10 to 15 minutes and then pour it into a container. It should come to room temperature before you safely put the axie inside.
Please Note: It’s not a beauty treatment or a fun activity but a necessity for axolotls with skin conditions. The least adventurous you are, the better it is!
The Best Kind of Tea for Axolotl Tea Bath
There are two conditions that need to be fulfilled. First of all, you need black tea. No other tea is required for preparing this beneficial bath. It’s rich in tannins, so it will help the axie get rid of itching, infection, and inflammation.
The second condition is that the black tea needs to be 100% pure. No flavors and no aromas – it’s just not needed.
See also: Do Stores Sell Axolotl? (Complete Buying Guide)
Alternatives for Treating Axolotl Skin Conditions
There’s another method for reducing skin conditions, particularly fungal infections. You can give your axie a salt bath.
You need non-iodized salt for this bath. Don’t use edible table salt for this. Aquarium salt, sea salt, and kosher salt are also good options for this bath.
• Take a container, pour some dechlorinated water, and use 2 to 3 teaspoons of non-iodized salt per liter of water.
• Mix this solution and transfer the axie to the container. This bath should prolong for 10 to 15 minutes and not longer.
Salt baths should be given twice a day and the timing should not exceed 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the fungus comes off your axie and it has healed, you can put them back in the regular tank. A quarantine tank is to be used if they continue to have a fungal infection or any other skin condition.
Taking care of Axolotls Mental Health: Is a Tea Bath Stressful for them?
Most axolotl parents have a major concern in their head. What’s that? Well, they wonder if a tea bath is stressful for the axie.
Unfortunately, the answer is an affirmative YES. If the axolotl has an arched back, it means your exotics munchkin is stressed out. Inflamed gills are also a sign of acute stress.
Axies like a sedentary lifestyle. They don’t want human beings to touch them or get all up close and personal again and again.
Another thing that may be stressful for an axolotl is overhandling. When you put the axie in the container, you are shifting it from its tank to the container and then back into the tank. It’s too much handling which can stress the axolotl out.
Thus, you should never give a tea bath to an axie if it’s not necessary. If there is a serious skin condition, a tea bath would be required. Thus, the little stress caused by the bath is a very small price to pay.
You can reduce the stress a little by being gentle while transferring them from their tank.
Don’t touch them or pet them during the entire process. They’re already stressed. More handling will only freak them out and they might try to jump out of the container altogether.
Also, bear in mind, Axolotls are very slippery. So, don’t drop them as they might get hurt.
See also: How Long Should I Cycle My Tank Before Adding an Axolotl?
FAQs
1. How to take care of an infected axolotl?
The infected axolotl should be transferred to a quarantine tank. Separate them from their tank mates so the infection does not spread in the aquarium.
Keep the water clean by changing it daily. Also, you would need to prepare a salt or a tea bath for two to three days to help axie’s skin condition improve.
2. Why do you give an axolotl a salt bath?
Fungus looks white, cottony, and fluffy. When your axolotl gets an infection or fungus, it appears all over their body.
A salt bath is beneficial in reducing and getting rid of fungus on the axolotl’s body.
3. What does fungal dermatitis look like on an axolotl?
It’s fuzzy, white, and fluffy. Fungal dermatitis has a cottony look. A tea bath or a salt bath can be helpful.
Your axolotl would need it once every day. Continue till there is an improvement.
Concluding Thoughts
Taking care of your axie shouldn’t be overwhelming, but you need to handle them with care.
When you transfer them to a quarantine tank or in a tea bath, make sure they calm down a bit. You don’t want to drop them as they might get hurt.
Keep an eye on your axie for any signs of skin conditions. If you see anything peculiar (scaly, cottony, fluffy) then you need to probably give them salt or a tea bath.
In a nutshell, don’t go overboard with the tea bath. If the condition doesn’t improve in a couple of days, wait no longer. Seek the help of a veterinarian in such persisting cases immediately!
