Tea Baths for Axolotls

Tea baths are mainly used for minor skin problems. They can also help with fungal issues, though salt baths are generally preferred for those. Tea has a mild antifungal and antibacterial effect thanks to its tannins, and it also tightens the skin’s pores slightly (from a combination of tannins and caffeine). This gives the skin a bit of a protective layer, making it harder for fungi and bacteria to get in — but that same tightening effect also makes it harder for salt or medicine to reach pathogens that are already inside the body, which is why we don’t recommend using tea baths as a primary fungal treatment, even though some keepers do.

How to Prepare a Tea Bath

Use one bag of black tea with no added flavouring, for every 10 litres of water — black tea specifically, since it’s fermented and therefore rich in tannins. Steep the bag in a separate bowl of boiling water for at least 10–15 minutes so the tannins fully dissolve, then let it cool completely before adding it to your quarantine tank.

After about a week, do a larger water change (60% or more); the rest of the tea will clear out gradually through normal water changes. If you need to do more frequent water changes (for example, in a small bowl or tank), you can top up the tea concentration as needed. There don’t appear to be any negative effects even with long-term use.

A milder version of the same effect can come from occasionally adding dried oak or beech leaves as a precaution.

Source: caudata.org — Illness Articles