Illness/Sickness: Gaining weight and being inactive!

[Claudia]

:sad: My poor little Tank (T~ah~nk) seems sick!!! He's gained weight, and is very sleepy! He is normally quite a hyper little thing!

I bought him from some people at a store who called them 'Dinosaur babies' they're Pre-historic Amphibiam, originating from the salamander, they're found in the cool waters of the northern hemisphere.

I give him about 4 pellets of food every three days, (Newt and salamander bites) and im going to go buy him some crickets for either a replacement, or possibly a treat for every now-and-again.

I was told they live for 7 to 8 years, and I'm not sure how old he is, but i dont believe hes to old, but i can't be sure!
~*~*~
(back to the the issues)

He used to every time im around or opening the tank he would try to climb out (only to slowly slip back down to place) but now he simply walks a few inches, if even that!

He is always in a sleep like state, his head is bowed under the water, and it scares me because usually he gets up on his shell or on the wall, is that natural??? and his tummy and side are more fatter than usual, so i was wondering if maybe he had eaten too much or if hes eaten some of his gravel, what do you think??!

 

[Kaysie]

Your salamander is a tiger salamander. It's morphing.

Does he still have gills?

If not, it's EXTREMELY important that you move him to a terrestrial setup as soon as possible. If you keep him in water, he may drown

Please read these threads for reference.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_tigrinum.shtml

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...165-he-axolotl-metamorph-salamander-pics.html

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-sick-axolotl/59349-no-gills-please-help.html

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...47-newt-salamander-help/59319-land-water.html

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...free-all/58768-help-bought-baby-dinodaur.html

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...l/55637-baby-dinosaur-help-i-cant-decide.html

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1-gen...ons-area/54045-introduction-thanks-order.html

 

[Claudia]

:sad: My poor little Tank (T~ah~nk) seems sick!!! He's gained weight, and is very sleepy! He is normally quite a hyper little thing!

I bought him from some people at a store who called them 'Dinosaur babies' they're Pre-historic Amphibiam, originating from the salamander, they're found in the cool waters of the northern hemisphere.

I give him about 4 pellets of food every three days, (Newt and salamander bites) and im going to go buy him some crickets for either a replacement, or possibly a treat for every now-and-again.

I was told they live for 7 to 8 years, and I'm not sure how old he is, but i dont believe hes to old, but i can't be sure!
~*~*~
(back to the the issues)

He used to every time im around or opening the tank he would try to climb out (only to slowly slip back down to place) but now he simply walks a few inches, if even that!

He is always in a sleep like state, his head is bowed under the water, and it scares me because usually he gets up on his shell or on the wall, is that natural??? and his tummy and side are more fatter than usual, so i was wondering if maybe he had eaten too much or if hes eaten some of his gravel, what do you think??

[ADDED INFO ON HIM!!]
he is kind of a darkish green like color, he doesnt have the little gilly like things like a regular Axolotl, He has his four legs, and the people at the mall said that I still could put the water in the tank for him, but i dont know if he needs more water or if he needs less!! no matter where i set him he wont move! If hes in the water he just sits there, same if on any land like thing!!

If i pick him up and hold him, he some what walks, but just a little, and he makes these little croaking like noise...

He's my little (early) christmas present, and truly is a gift, I really don't want to lose him...

 

[evut]

Claudia,
is there any chance you could take a photo and post it here?
Did you look at the linked threads from Kaysie?
There will also be some pictures so you can see if your animal is the same.
Also look at this (if you scroll down there is a photo of a larva):
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_tigrinum.shtml

If the animal doesn't have gills, than it probably can't breathe under water. Make sure he has access to a land area.
Regarding his shape - it could be bloat, which could be a sign of a serious illness. Are you sure he's not just fat?

If you want more help, please do the following:
Take a photo of the animal and his enclosure. If you can't, look at the links to see if it is a tiger salamander. Describe his enclosure, temperature, water parameters (is it a cycled tank?), anything you can think of. That way someone will be able to tell you what's wrong and how to fix it.