Really active axolotl

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

Hello! I have a 1 and a half-year-old axolotl that I got on Valentine's day. Her name is Dinner and she is usually pretty lazy until about like 11:00 every night when she starts to waddle around her tank. I change her water every Monday, and on Wednesday she started to get really active. I had put a little stress on her the day before because I had a google meeting and had to turn my lights on, and I didn't have time to cover the tank. I turned the lights back off after the meeting and as I walked by her tank she swam up to greet me, which I thought was a little weird because she is usually asleep, but it was super adorable. So the first couple times she did it I thought it was cute until she just stopped hiding in her little caves completely and was always sitting on her tree at the top of the tank or swimming around. Then today I realized that her tail was curled forward which I knew was a sign of stress so I freaked out. Her tail isn't curled all the time and her gills aren't curled either, but occasionally I will look over and she will be laying down with a curled tail. The water temp is normal and the pH is normal too. I don't know if she just decided she was going to move around or what. Anyway, help would be appreciated
Thank you in advance

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Reading this article, I would think one of three things:

Signs of Stress and Illness in Axolotls - Axolotl Planet

Even in a seemingly ideal environment, axolotls can sometimes develop health issues such as fungus, lack of appetite, curled gills, lesions, and more. If your axolotl is showing signs of stress or illness, the most common reason is that there is something wrong with their aquarium environment.

axolotlplanet.com

1. Not enough oxygen in the tank. Some on here suggest you use an air stone to fix.
2. Contaminated water.
3. Unconditioned tap water used in the tank. Many suggest Seachem Prime to condition water and dechlorinate. I think ReptiSafe and AquaSafe are also compatible with aquatic amphibians and reptiles.

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

Thank you for responding! I have one more question, her gills have been pale even though she is moving around. Is this a sign of sickness or low oxygen? I'm going to purchase an air stone tonight and see if that helps. I will update if it doesn't.

 

[wolfen]

axolotls are mostly nocturnal so they will be more active at night.
make sure you test the water regularly as even a well maintained established tank can have issues from time to time.
always have an air stone in the aquarium as not only do the axolotls require oxygenated water the bacteria in the filtration require it as well.
dwelling at the top of the tank is a sign of lack of oxygen along with the pale gills, axolotls gills are bright because of blood flowing through them allowing direct oxygenation into the blood stream, they flick them to clear the co2 that they expel.

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

I found an air stone but it won't get here for a week. Is there something I can do until then to give her more oxygen?

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

I've also noticed that her back legs are beginning to float. Here is a picture.

 

[wolfen]

I've also noticed that her back legs are beginning to float. Here is a picture.

looks like she's been gulping air so she's got a touch of air lock, doing a 50% daily water change will ensure there is enough oxygen in the water until you can get a air-stone installed, make sure the water is dechlorinated before putting into tank.
out of interest what are your water parameters ph/ammonia/nitrites/nitrate/temperature.

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

So I just did a 50% water change and the water is dechlorinated. The pH is 7.6 and the temp is 69.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Her back legs are for the most part back on the ground now and she just ate a worm. Tysm for the help I really appreciate it

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

Update: I just installed the air stone and she fed her a big worm. As soon as the air stone started running she went and hid in her cave for the first time in a while. I am a bit worried though because I haven't seen her gills so I do not know if they are redder or not, and her tail is very curled. I do not know how to give her oxygen without stressing her out! She had an air stone at her old home but it was a 30-gallon tank so it was probably less noticeable. Please help I don't know what to do with her. I'm so sorry I keep bothering you guys with this I'm just worried about her

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Update: I just installed the air stone and she fed her a big worm. As soon as the air stone started running she went and hid in her cave for the first time in a while. I am a bit worried though because I haven't seen her gills so I do not know if they are redder or not, and her tail is very curled. I do not know how to give her oxygen without stressing her out! She had an air stone at her old home but it was a 30-gallon tank so it was probably less noticeable. Please help I don't know what to do with her. I'm so sorry I keep bothering you guys with this I'm just worried about her

Is it still light out? See how she reacts later in the evening. Also, how big is the current tank?

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

Her current tank is 15 gallons and it's not dark out yet

 

[Autistic Catholic]

If it's not dark out, wait for it to get dark out. She may have just gone back to her hide because axolotls are nocturnal. If she's still stressed out during the night, then start worrying.

 

[wolfen]

Update: I just installed the air stone and she fed her a big worm. As soon as the air stone started running she went and hid in her cave for the first time in a while. I am a bit worried though because I haven't seen her gills so I do not know if they are redder or not, and her tail is very curled. I do not know how to give her oxygen without stressing her out! She had an air stone at her old home but it was a 30-gallon tank so it was probably less noticeable. Please help I don't know what to do with her. I'm so sorry I keep bothering you guys with this I'm just worried about her

why did you reduce your tank size?
she will soon get used to it, it's just something new that's all.
it might take a few days but she'll soon learn to ignore it.

 

[DinnerTheAxolotl]

why did you reduce your tank size?
she will soon get used to it, it's just something new that's all.
it might take a few days but she'll soon learn to ignore it.

I got Dinny from a friend who had two other axolotls living with her in a 30-gallon tank. I took her bc the other two axolotls didn't like her bc she was smaller than them

 

[wolfen]

I got Dinny from a friend who had two other axolotls living with her in a 30-gallon tank. I took her bc the other two axolotls didn't like her bc she was smaller than them

fair enough.