Floating Question...Again!

[justin]

When an axolotl is floating and struggling to stay on the bottom, what does this mean and how is it remedied? Seems healthy outside of this, but it's been going on for about 1.5 weeks now.

Thanks

 

[cynthia]

Justin - If you haven't done so already, I would move the axolotl to a food safe container and keep the water shallow (just enough to cover the axolotl) this will help it get its footing. Then I would put it in the fridge to cool it down.



more info from: http://www.axolotl.org/faq.htm#45

Often, some stress will lead to a small bacterial infection in the gut. This would lead to a gas build up, and the floating. It is possible that the axolotl swallowed a large amount of air into its digestive system too. Warm temperatures (over 20 °C / 68 °F) don't help.

As to how to solve the problem, axolotls find it stressful when they can't touch the bottom. I suggest you lower the water level so that the axolotl is touching the bottom, but still submerged. The fact that it can touch the bottom should help to relieve the stress and hence help it to recover. If you keep it at temperatures over 20 °C / 68 °F it will probably make it harder for the axolotl's gut to keep up with any bacterial activity, so try and keep it cooler. As long as it eats, that's a good sign. Sometimes it is possible to massage the animal's abdomen to help it pass the gas, but it's hard to do without hurting and/or stressing the animal. It's safer to do what I've suggested and let the animal pass the gas on its own.

The other possibility is that the axolotl swallowed some gravel. If that's the case, have a look at question 29.

 

[lisa]

Also, do you have an airstone in your tank? Does your axie go up for air bubbles often?
One of my tanks has an airstone that bubbles very slowly. And my large axie mistakes the moving bubbles for food and eats them, leading to her floating around all day.

 

[bookie]

<font color="ff0000"><font face="times new roman,times,roman"></font> i just bought my axie about a week ago. this is my very first one. i didnt know what it was when i got it. when i fount out what it was it was kinda late to fix some of the problems. i changed the gravel because right when i put him in the tank he ate a rock...got bigger ones. i had to use a plastic cup as a cave. i cut the bottom off and smoothed it with a nail fialer.. i got a filter and bubbles maker. i had to put a spoon over the hold of the bubble maker to reduce air flow. it was making to much water movement. but i put my axie in the fridge like u sujested. (sorry im not a very good speller). but the water got to 60 F. he looks ok. moves alot though. he's kinda losing his black color on his tail. i belive hes a wild type. someone please help im lost. and i dont want my 20$ or yen (japanese money) to go to waist. and yes im in japan for business with my dad.</font>}