Illness/Sickness: California newt unusual floating behavior

[sciencenter]

One of my california newts has been displaying an unusual floating behavior. It is especially favoring one side when floating and I just found it floating on its back unable to right itself. The first i noticed this was a couple weeks ago and soon after that it shed/molted its skin and i thought that was the end of it. it has continued and i don't know what to do for it.

 

[slowfoot]

It sounds like an air bubble or the start of bloat. You may need to move the animal to a shallow water set up if it cannot right itself. If the problem doesn't resolve in the next few days, you should definitely consider a vet visit to an experienced herp vet.