If i keep a floating axolotl in a container in the fridge how long should it be left for?? & Also should i use salt treatments?

[Axie123]

My axolotl has been floating for a good few days now, mainly being pulled up by it's left side which appears to be swolen. Could be air? Constipated? Not too sure... but i have been recommended to use the fridge treatment...

Any tips & advice would be great

Thanks!

 

[GazerOfStars]

My guy went through something simIlar a couple of months back. I had him in the fridge for about 4 days if I remember correctly. I'd give him a week stay in the fridge and if the bubble is still there possibly seek a vet.

You probably know this already, but make sure the water in the container is just above its body so it doesn't stress from the floating.

My thread: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...um/f58-sick-axolotl/80537-belly-full-air.html

 

[Axie123]

I've put my axie in there this evening, and already his feet seem to be able to touch the ground most of the time, so hopefully thats a good sign

Haven't tried giving any more food yet as it didnt seem to want to eat the past couple of days


( I have attached a picture of my axolotls, the albino is the one concerned) - a day or two ago before fridging.

Yes, the water is just over its back but not too high to avoid more floating!

I read your post & it looks fairly similar to that, i do have another axolotl seems fine, so it is maybe eating too much or gulping too much air maybe??? rather than any water problems.

Thankyou for your help x

 

[GazerOfStars]

From what I've read juveniles have the tendency to swallow air now and again. For some of our Axies it just takes a little while to come out through one of the two ends

Are you doing daily water changes with dechlorinated fridge-temp water?

Your doing everything great so far, I hope to see your Axie normal in no time

Also, don't worry too much about the food. When Axolotls are being fridged their metabolism goes down quite a bit and in turn so does their need for food. You can try offering it a bit of food every other day or so.

If you haven't already all the knowledge and tidbits about fridging can be found here : http://www.caudata.org/axolotl-sanctuary/Fridging.shtml

 

[Axie123]

Thankyou, it's all useful information as these are my first 2 and they are under a year old

I've only started fridging today, i've been using regular tap water as i was unsure how to do the dechlorinated water & luckily my axolotl doesnt seem too bothered at the moment, how do i go about that?? But i will store more water at fridge temp for the water change tomorrow

I'll offer some tomorrow hopefully anything bad will pass very soon!!

Thanks, =) I shall keep posting updates & hopefully you'll be able to give me advice if anything changes, much appreciated!

 

[GazerOfStars]

When adding water to tanks many people add a product called a dechlorinator ( I use the brand : seachem 'Prime') to detoxify some of the nasties found in some tap water. If your not using something like this make sure to let your water sit out for at least 24 hours to allow chemicals like chlorine to degas from the tap water. When adding a dechlorinator it removes these chemicals fairly instantaneously.

 

[Axie123]

Okay, thankyou i did have some at one point when i got my tropical fish tank (seperate from the axolotl dont worry) i'll route around if not i will buy some at work tomorrow (petshop)

Originally i thought maybe swimbladder, but after reading up a bit more turns out they dont have one, so that rules one thing out atleast. Another, im not sure if it's a male or female & i think the tank mate could well be male.

thanks again..
( I have put a couple more pictures in the post - taken a few minutes ago)

 

[Axie123]

Also.. i checked again on the fridged axolotl & it has passed waste looks promising!

 

[lollypop]

Re standing water.

Check with your water supplier on if you have chlorine or cloramin as if you have the cloramin you will HAVE to use a declorinater. Most places in the uk now use cloramin.

There are some lucky people still have chlorine and can just let there water stand.

 

[Axie123]

I checked my local water site, it looks like i need some dechlorinator!!

 

[Axie123]

Axolotl is currently back in his/her normal tank again
Still a little bit of floating however fridging seemed to help very much!!:happy:

 

[GazerOfStars]

Great! That's what I did with my guy. He got better from the fridge and after he was in his tank he gradually returned back to normal.

 

[Axie123]

Yep, both axolotls are now staying at the bottom + swimming at their own will

Thankyou so so much for your advice much appreciated!!

+ the ill He/she is now called Nando =]

 

[GazerOfStars]

Nice work, Axie123 and Nando! Can't wait to see picture of these guys as they grow older

 

[Axie123]

Hopefully i'll find out sooner or later if they're males or females!
they are about 6 inches already, i've had them since early december so nearly 2 months but not sure how old they really are!