By the time this post goes up, I’ll probably have a new photo of my axolotl Nova up on my axolotl page. However at the time of actually writing this, I don’t have a photo of Nova posted for perhaps a bit of a strange reason. Nova is currently dyed blue. I’m waiting for the dye to wear off before I take new photos of her.
Somewhat recently I upgraded Nova and Gilly’s tank. Unfortunately I think the move stressed Nova out more than I was expecting, and she developed a fungal infection on her gills. My first line of defense treatment against fungus are tea baths, but I’ve found that, sometimes, tea baths alone are just not a strong enough treatment. In Nova’s case, tea baths alone did not fully eliminate her gill fungus. It was time to break out my (not so) secret weapon – methylene blue.
What Is Methylene Blue?
Methylthioninium (wow that’s a mouth full) chloride, aptly called methylene blue, is a salt that, historically, has been used as both a dye and a medication. In humans it’s been used to treat a condition called methemoglobinemia. It’s also used as a medical stain/dye to dye tissues. But this site is about exotic pets!
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Methylene blue is a common, over the counter, medication in the aquarium hobby. In aquarium fish it’s typically used to treat mild fungal and bacterial infections, as well as ammonia burns. It is commonly used to prevent fungus growth on aquarium fish eggs, and sometimes during shipping to reduce the negative effects of ammonia build up inside shipping bags. It can help ease the symptoms of ammonia burn and nitrite toxicity.
Is Methylene Blue Axolotl Safe?
Methylene blue is safe for axolotls as long as it’s used carefully. I have personally used methylene blue to treat many axolotls, both rescues and my own pets. Knock on wood, I’ve never had an axolotl yet react poorly to treatment with methylene blue. It’s one medication I make sure that I always keep in stock in my axolotl first aid kit!
Remember, however, that not all over the counter fish medications are axolotl safe. Make sure to do your research, or better yet talk to your vet, before treating your axolotl with over the counter medications sold for general aquarium use.
When It Comes To Axolotls, What Can You Use Methylene Blue For?
Like with fish, methylene blue can be used to treat mild fungal or bacterial infections in axolotls. It can also be used to help soothe ammonia burns. In my experience, methylene blue is most effective against mild fungal infections and ammonia burn. I’ve also used it as a preventative treatment for axolotls who experienced external wounds that I wanted to make sure didn’t become infected. Methylene blue has antibacterial properties.
After tea baths, methylene blue is next in line as my ‘go to’ treatment for fungus in axolotls. In my experience, it’s stronger than tea baths and will often cure fungal infections that tea baths don’t work on.
How To Use Methylene Blue On Axolotls
The dosage of methylene blue to use on axolotls should be half of what’s recommended for fish. I’ve been using Kordon methylene blue, which recommends a dosage of 10 drops of methylene blue per gallon of water to treat fish. I use half that dosage, so 5 drops per gallon of water, to treat axolotls. To dose the methylene blue out per drop, I use a 1cc syringe.
Methylene blue can be used one of two ways with axolotls. No matter which route you choose, the dosage remains the same. For more minor issues, methylene blue can be used as a short, daily bath. Prepare a tub with your methylene blue, then allow your axolotl to soak in the tub for a short time. 15 to 20 minutes should work, but longer is okay too. After their bath, you can return your axolotl to their tank or to a tub of clean water. Baths/soaks in methylene blue treated water should be repeated once or twice a day for up to a week.
For worse, or more stubborn, issues methylene blue can be used for longer soaks. It’s safe to soak your axolotl in a methylene blue bath for up to 12 hours, followed by a 12 hour break in clean, cool, dechlorinated water. This 12 hours in, 12 hours out, treatment schedule can be maintained for up to a week.
Contradictions To Using Methylene Blue On Axolotls
Methylene blue should only be used in a tub. Do not add methylene blue directly into your axolotl’s aquarium! The antibacterial qualities of methylene blue will kill the good bacteria inside your aquarium’s filter, destroying your cycle. My bottle of methylene blue also states that it’s not safe to use with aquarium plants.
Methylene blue has also been used as a dye for good reason! It will dye many surfaces it comes into contact with a very pretty blue color. It can dye things like the silicone sealant inside your aquarium, and tank decor, blue.
Use methylene blue with care as it will also dye skin and other surfaces it comes into contact with! As you can see from my photo above, it can even dye your axolotl! This will be most noticeable if you have a light colored axolotl. The color will fade over time once the treatment is complete, but it may take some time to fade fully.
If your axolotl’s condition seems to be getting worse during methylene blue treatments or, after a full week of treatments, their condition is not improved then it’s a good idea to contact your local axolotl experienced veterinarian. Your axolotl may require stronger medications that are not available over the counter.
A Staple In My Axolotl Care Tool Kit
Since I occasionally take in rescue axolotls as well as having 4 of my own, methylene blue is something I make sure to always keep in stock. I’ve used it successfully quite a few times, mostly to treat mild fungal infections and ammonia burn. Methylene blue is axolotl safe as long as it’s used correctly, at half the dosage of what would be used for aquarium fish. It bares repeating a second time, do not use methylene blue inside your axolotl’s regular aquarium. It should be used in a tub only.
So far, I’ve never had an experience where an axolotl reacted negatively to methylene blue. Unless you count being dyed blue for awhile! In my opinion, as long as it’s used correctly, methylene blue is a safe treatment option that every axolotl owner should keep in their first aid kit. It’s not a miracle cure all, but it’s a good first (or second if you want to try tea baths first) line of defense against a number of axolotl aliments. In cases where your axolotl is experiencing a major health concern, methylene blue can be used to help soothe them, as a stop gap measure until you can get them to an experienced vet.
For anyone wondering, yes Nova’s recent methylene blue treatments did cure her fungus. She’s doing quite well now, despite looking a bit blue. Now I just have to wait for all the dye to wear off and we can finally get to that photoshoot!
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