Floating Axie (Pooping/eating regular, safe tank parameters), just likes floating??

[rads]

Hey there,

I have a 5 month old or so axie that’s continuously floating. It’s been about a week now and I was hoping it’d clear up on its own but... I’m not sure if it’s doing it for fun or? It’s been eating normally, pooping normally, and all parameters are 0 (expect pH of 7.8 and nitrate at 5-20ppm- water changes at 20ppm). Water temp is 68F, but fluctuates to 70.5 at most for a few hours despite literally all my best efforts.

I’ve observed it gulping air a lot. I have a filter that stirs up the water pretty good. I’ve also noticed it’s frills have shrank some (which I read could be a lot of things though). I’m sure that has to be a big contributor to it. All activity otherwise is healthy and normal. I’ve seen it swim down just fine, but it can’t really stay down at all. It likes to wedge itself under things to keep it at the bottom. And it doesn’t really float butt up, it’s always level.

I’ve been reading and reading and reading but I can’t find anyone that’s experienced the same issue. Everything I read was usually constipation but its still eating/pooping fine which is contraindicative of everything I read on constipation/ impaction.

I’m not overly concerned about it given its activity... just mostly confused. Especially about the Gill frills.

 

[Riley_Hatteras]

I wouldn't worry too much about it unless the little guy is floating constantly. Mine is also around 4-5 months and is experiencing the same thing! I was concerned, but learned that floating is one of the things that axolotls do for enrichment. People say that axolotls are not too intelligent, and are content with just eating and sleeping, but in reality they are pretty smart. They seem to enjoy floating in their cute little way as something to keep them busy. They get bored, and want to try new fun stuff. To keep my little guy from being bored, I move his decorations around or add new ones every few weeks to explore. I am not to sure about your axie's gills, but I know that you shouldn't be too concerned about the floating unless you think it is constipation. After I did my research, I found that it is just a cute little game that they play.

 

[rads]

I wouldn't worry too much about it unless the little guy is floating constantly. Mine is also around 4-5 months and is experiencing the same thing! I was concerned, but learned that floating is one of the things that axolotls do for enrichment. People say that axolotls are not too intelligent, and are content with just eating and sleeping, but in reality they are pretty smart. They seem to enjoy floating in their cute little way as something to keep them busy. They get bored, and want to try new fun stuff. To keep my little guy from being bored, I move his decorations around or add new ones every few weeks to explore. I am not to sure about your axie's gills, but I know that you shouldn't be too concerned about the floating unless you think it is constipation. After I did my research, I found that it is just a cute little game that they play.

It seems pretty constant aside from when it manages to wedge itself under something which is why I’m especially concerned. It doesn’t seem like constipation but I’m not entirely sure. To be constipated and still pooping in an axie? Is that a thing? Maybe a day in the fridge might sort it out?

It gets about a cube a day of frozen bloodworms. After reading some more I think I’m going to add in some worms as well to supplement its diet. I heard that might be able to help.