Trying for air?

I originally had 2 axolotl, but sadly one passed away about 2 months ago.

I noticed that he had stopped eating and was always wedging himself between the tank and the filter at the top of the tank, as if he was trying to get air.

He lasted about 3 days and then was found dead.

I have noticed that my one remaining axolotl has started wedging herself at the top of the tank now and doesnt seem very active... although she is still eating.

Any ideas guys? Don't want to lose my last axolotl

Have you tested your tank water for nitrites, nitrates and ammonia?
Do you carry out water changes and how regular are they?
How much water do you remove each time?
What is your water temperature?
Do you have your filter switched to a high setting (lots of water movement seen)?

Water checkseems fine.

Temp is a little high, around 22

I do a partial water change (about 2L) every couple of weeks.

The filter does create a fair amound of water movement.

Could these factors be a problem?

While 22C is a little high, it's not too bad and shouldn't be causing too much of a problem unless the temperature is fluctuating a lot.

How big is your tank? A partial water change of 2L every couple of weeks does not sound like enough.

As for the filter, it sounds like it is creating too much of a current! Axolotls like still water. Try to block of part of the flow with something. Generally, if you can see some movement in the plants or you axies gills, then there is too much.

It is about a 30l tank... at a guess i will up my water changes.

How can i resrict the filter flow? I have a tetra c250 filter...

I tried to quickly google your filter but I couldn't find much helpful info.

Do you use a spray bar?
The use of a spray bar could slow down the flow. Or you could put something (like an ornament, rocks etc) in front of it. You could also try redirecting the flow so that it is hitting the glass.

Are you able to post a photo of your set up and your filter?

30liters is far too small for just one axolotl, let alone two.

Have you physically tested the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates? What are the numerical results of these tests?

Hihi,

I agree with kira, kaysie and gr33neyes with the need to check for water chemistry, temperature and checking for currents possibly created by the filter. Just a few other thoughts that may be helpful in solving your problem.

Firstly, do you aerate your tank with and airstone? Also how does your axolotl's gills look like? Do they appear discoloured, present with unusual growth, shruken or shrivelled looking? Are there any other unusual signs such as your axolotl being inappetant and refusing to eat? How is the tail tip looking? Is there a curved tail end? How about the general appearance of its skin? Any unusual growth, shedding skin etc? Does it appear bloated ? Has it been demonstrating odd behaviour, such as sudden thrashing about as if to 'scratch off' something?

Hope your axolotl is fine.

Regards

I have same problem (sorry 'bout doubleposting) but water is healt: 19celcius, NO3-NO2=O GH >14d KH 0-3d pH 7,2-7,6 There's no filter in aquarium. And axolotl came couple days ago. He eat normal, but swallow air and float surface.

Any signs of sickess, REMOVE the axie from the tank IMMEDIATELY and pop it in the fridge. This will help with unusual floating as there will be less water in the fridge-box and therefore less effort needed to stay submerged. THEN CHECK THOROUGHLY all water parameters and make sure they are perfect for axolotls before returning them. Only return them if they appear healthy and there are no signs of fungus. Salt bath will be needed if there is any infection.

Good housekeeping with water parameters is VITAL. Remove anyone who looks sickly NOW, and test the water at your leisure...

Good luck

Bobe and Axorcist. Did you cycle your tanks? I myself used the following article from a fish forum to cycle my tank, and found it very useful:
http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.php

AxoRcist,

I see test results for nitrates and nitrites, but not for ammonia levels. I made a similar mistake, thinking that nitrites and nitrates WERE the test for ammonia, but there is a separate test to make for that. Also, my axolotl was a perpetual floater too, for several months. I discovered that although I had been dechlorinating the water, I was not using enough dechlorinator to actually break the chloramine bond. When I started to address the chloramine, my axol stopped floating. Don't know if this is the case here, but thought I'd offer you what I learned.

i think

http://tribes.tribe.net/axolotl/thread/7ef59818-f966-4534-9757-6092cee8491a i think its in their nature come to surface. ammonium i dont think that i have it in the water my axo live still novadays and it feeling fine. its eating everyday i change water regulary(and add fluid filter stuff) i have air pump. maybe i just over reacting when i post that comment maybe thanks to everyone who helped me Knowledge can never be too much

Hello all,

I agree that water quality is probably at issue here.

AxoRcisT said:

I have same problem (sorry 'bout doubleposting) but water is healt: 19celcius, NO3-NO2=O GH >14d KH 0-3d pH 7,2-7,6 There's no filter in aquarium. And axolotl came couple days ago. He eat normal, but swallow air and float surface.

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AxoRcisT said:

i think its in their nature come to surface. ammonium i dont think that i have it in the water my axo live still novadays and it feeling fine. its eating everyday i change water regulary(and add fluid filter stuff) i have air pump.

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Although axolotls are equipped with rudimentary lungs and therefore can come to the surface for air, they are neotenic amphibians and as such, they normally breathe through their gills and skin. If an axolotl is coming to the water's surface often to try and get some air, it is a sign that it is not getting the oxygen it needs from the water it is in.

I see test results for nitrates and nitrites, but not for ammonia levels.

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I have noticed that the dip strips offer (poor) results for NO2 and NO3 but do not measure ammonia, so any time someone lists parameters without ammonia, I have to ask: are you using dip strips or a dropper test? Dip strips are horribly inaccurate (and as such, I consider them dangerous). Reliable results can only be had from dropper tests ("test tube kits"). Although the initial investment may seem more for the test tube kits, the dip strips quickly cost a lot more because you use them up fast and need to buy more; they can also cost a lot more in the lives of your animals because they simply are not accurate.

bobe70 said:

I have a tetra c250 filter...

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I also googled your filter. The only thing from Tetra that I can find with the description "250" or "c250" is a filter pack, which is a carbon cartridge. That make me wonder. Carbon is not necessary for a "normal" axolotl tank; you can use it to filter out chemicals like antibiotics, but otherwise it's just something else a pet shop likes to sell you (I have about a pound of it, and a whole pack of filter net bags, gathering dust in my closet of Useless Things the Pet Shop Sold Me). In any case, the carbon becomes saturated at some point (say, after 2-4 weeks), and at that point then begins to release the contaminants back into the water. Just a thought as a possible place to look for problems.

And just in case anybody missed it, may I repeat and emphasize :

Kaysie said:

30liters is far too small for just one axolotl, let alone two.

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-Eva