Weird film at the top of containers

[cowpachipixi]

Any idea as to what this is? It is clear, but if u look at an angle u can see the clear film, kinda like oil on the surface of water, but clean, not colors or anything to it. Ive done water changes after every feeding but this stuff just wont go away... any thoughts??? starting to get worried it might hurt my babies..

 

[FX1C]

Sounds like the film you get on still water... You could try some floating plants or some air bubbles to break up the surface, but I guess that's dependent on the size of the babies - hopefully one of the experts can help clarify as well

You could also try sucking it off with a turkey baster thingy & then topping up with clean dechlorinated water

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

It's just stagnant water and is completely harmless. Stirring the water occasionally may clear it but wont prevent it. Nothing to worry about though :happy:

 

[Kaysie]

Like Dinky said, it's just a protein film. Nikki's suggestion of an airstone is excellent.

 

[cowpachipixi]

Whew! ty so much for relieving my fears! I have 24 babies atm in seperate small containers, so I cant do the air stone yet. They are just now getting their lil stubs in, so I'm scared to put them together at this time bc of the canibal stage. When can they be put together? They are all eating very good. Ty for the responses! Love this site with all its info and the ppl that are here to help one another!

 

[Olivia97]

I think the general rule is 6 inches.. not sure how old that is.

 

[JessKB]

There is no such thing as a "cannible stage" yes smaller axolotls are more likely to nip. Even adult axolotls nip. An axolotl is an animal with a huge mouth and a tiny brain. Eating is the only thing they are good at, and will try to stuff anything smaller than them into their mouth.However, if proper feeding and space is provided, they arent going to hurt each other.

 

[Kaysie]

I agree with Jess. Younger animals are more likely to eat each other, but I think that's an artifact of higher densities of animals in the tank. Adults, you keep only a few together, versus larvae where you're more likely to keep 10 together in a tank.

If you keep them well-fed and have plenty of visual barriers, they're no more likely to eat each other than adult axolotls.