Can't reach bottom

[nrmns14]

When I woke up this morning axie was floating around and couldn't reach bottom. I removed him and put him in a small bowl with a very thin layer of water so he could reach bottom and gave him some food (bloodworms - all he's ever had) He is eating fine.
I noticed last night that his body seemed quite twisted which isn't usual. Haven't seen anything about this before.
Can anyone help?
My tank hasn't cycled yet by the way.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Since your tank isn't cycled what are the water parameters and what does the axolotl's substrate consist of?

 

[nrmns14]

The substrate is sand. The water parameters were 0-0.25 of ammonia and 0 nitrites and nitrates.

 

[nrmns14]

He's now floating on his side and blowing bubbles. He always seems to be doing a lot of poos.
Can anyone help me?

 

[melfly]

Whats the temp?

Mel

 

[nrmns14]

It was about 19 degrees when he started floating

 

[HMAxolotl]

i hope charlie will be ok ... I dont know obviously but can you get a picture of what he is actually doing... Maybe this might help does he look ok apart from his behaviour .... Hope he makes a miraculous recovery over night...

 

[nrmns14]

Thanks Hayley I hope he will too I can't really get a photo anymore because I moved him out his tank and into a smaller bowl so I could lower the water level.
All that's different is he's floating on his side and letting out bubbles and loads of poos which he doesn't normally do.
I don't know what else to do so I hope he will be ok
Seen your new photos by the way. Your axies look lovely! They've definitely grown

 

[HMAxolotl]

Thanks it was like they was posing for me ... But i just wish i could help out you and charlie... When we have talked it seems like your doing everything right, i wonder whats wrong with him... Just go through everything that you have done anything new in the tank or anything like that... I have no idea, wish i did!!! Just think of any possiblities where you could have upset something in the tank... All that i can suggest really, hopfully someone who can help you out will come to your rescue and he will be fine... :happy:

 

[nrmns14]

I know I thought I was doing so well I know I changed from stress coat dechlorinator to tetra - would that make any difference? That's the only thing to change though. I don't know whether if I should be feeding him just now either. If he's bloated then surely that won't help...?
Can anyone help me I'm getting really worried now?

 

[melfly]

If he's not in the fridge it may help.

Mel

 

[nrmns14]

I didn't want to put him in the fridge as I thought this might result in a reduced metabolism and he is still eating just now?

 

[HMAxolotl]

Not sure i he should be eating or not as im no expert but i just wanted to know if he looks any better or not...?

 

[nrmns14]

I'm not sure if he looks any better. He' still eating though which I'm sure is a good thing. I'm hoping he'll be back to normal in the next few days. I will keep you updated

 

[melfly]

Do you have any pic?

Mel

 

[nrmns14]

Here's some pics. Didn't work very well especially when I try to zoom in and don't want to use flash. He's in a very shallow bowl just now with an ice bottle over the top to lower the temp to about 15 degrees.
Should I feed him? He's still eating nicely and still blowing lots of bubbles

 

[nrmns14]

I also think a bit might have fallen off of him. It seemed like something fell off when I moved him to do a water change. It kind of looked like a tail but nothing seems to be missing from him...

 

[nrmns14]

Here are some better photos in natural light.

 

[melfly]

In the very 1st photo his back looks bent. Does he look like this or was he mid swim?

Mel

 

[nrmns14]

That was mid swim. He usually looks like the last two photos I put up. Anything else that could be causing this? His stomach is a bit weird colour? I think it's sand? He isn't on sand anymore but could this have caused an infection or something?