Floating Axolotls

E

eric

Guest
Lately around four of the Axolotls in my big tank have taken to floating around the top of the tank. The strange thing is that they're doing it voluntarily, because sometimes they'll sit on the bottom and at other times they'll swim to the top and just sit there. When they're on the bottom they aren't floating towards the top or struggling to stay down at all.

All of them like to sit on the top of the filter intake which leaves them right below the surface but I just think this is really weird - has anyone else experienced anything like this? They are all eating fine and will even eat when floating/sitting on the filter intake.
 
HI
My axolotl has done that before. It will float all the way up to the top and then swim back down. It's funny you mentioned the filter thing, because it's done that too. I think that as long as it's eating and not staying around the surface ALL the time, it's ok.
 
Seems to quite common occurence. Not sure what causes it heat from the motor or viobration or maybe the viewpoint from being king of the castle.

You needn't worry unless they have difficulty returning to the tank base.
 
I can't speculate on heat but the filter that I have on their tank is a brand new Eheim external one, I can't hear it going at all. The spray bar is pointed along the top of the water.

There is an actual castle in their tank, and it's only like 15cm high so they don't need to go all the way to the top to be the king of that! I've got a little lego skeleton with a pirate hat tied down to a piece of string, it looks really cool, like a pirate was fed to the fishes. I'll post some pics next week when I get my camera back :D
 
this is something my axie does too. I've only had him a month and was worried that the temp was too high(18-20C)then Got the feeling that he wasn't eating. The shop gave Koi pellets which he has little or no intrest in, blood worm (frozen) he will take and I gave him some fresh Muscle, on the suggestion of the shop, today which went instantly.
P.s. great site.
 
My axolotl will float to the top and stay there for around 15 minutes. Some times he will just float and not move.He hasnt eaten and just suffered from a fungie problem as well.

PLEASE HELP
 
Is it an uncontrollable floating? Can he get back to the bottom without struggling, and stay there? If so, this is normal floating behaviour. What have you been trying to feed him?
 
Yes he struggles to get to the bottom.
I have been trying to feed him blood worms and liver.He used to eat blood worms. His tail has been floating aswell when he gets to the botttom.I'll send a photo next time.
 
What foods do you recomened to feed them.Becuse he hasn't eatan in a month.
 
Live earthworms. Live blackworms. Frozen beefheart. Fresh beefheart and beef liver. Some people feed strips of fish or scallop. Some people mealworms, but crush the worms bitey jaws first (yuck). Try lowering the water level so he can reach the bottom, and try feeding again after a time. If that doesn't work, maybe put him in the fridge?
 
What about chicken liver? Would that be an alright food for my axolotl?
 
No. Chicken is a high risk of salmonella and I reckon the liver of chicken would be extremely fatty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top