Axie acting very odd.

Hey again people, a general thing I've noticed with my axie, he seems to be acting extraordinarily odd, he swims around whilst barrel-rolling and spinning erratically, and I often find him on the bottom of the tank on his side, either left or right side legs pointing upwards, sometimes curled up on his side as if trying to bite his own tail, and he stays this way for hours.

The water's fine, the tank's well established and all that jazz. Any ideas? Might he just be getting old or something?

Thanks.

I've heard of this symptom being attributed to parasites, but I don't know if there is any truth to this. It seems like it must be something neurological, but I don't know what causes it.

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7/79361.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7/79260.html

I've dosed up on anti-parasitic medicines, so I can leave that and see what happens. I really hope he's not going mad or anything though. =(

I might try him in the fridge again, I did it before for some not eating. Or would this not be advisable under these odd circumstances does anyone know?

Hey James....some anti-parisite medicines for fish can be very harmful to axi's!!! I think Methaline Blue is ok, but check the website and make sure the one you have is ok for them.
What is your temp in your tank? If it is stable below 22-23, maybe just salt bath him twice a day. But if your temp is varying it may be a good idea to fridge him and salt bath him from there. It may be a good idea anyway, to lessen the stress on him...
My little babies have had similar attacks where they try to scratch their own heads and writhe around like they are possessed. This has always happened just before they start showing other signs of stress (fungus!), and usually because the ammonia was high.
Keep us posted....how old is you baby?

[kapo]

Also, keep your water in the container lowered so he doesn't, hopefully, roll over!

Nice to see you again - been a while

He's quite old, we've had him for about five years and he is a pretty big guy anyway, I'd hazard about ten years old.

The temperature is stable, around 19 degrees. After I used some anti-parasite medicine he's settled down a lot, and stays the right way up most of the time.

I'll ask the parents about using the fridge again, was so much fun last time...


Psst. Hello again Kapo

[kapo]

Hi James
Yes I can remember your episode of the fridge then!

Good luck and I'm sure you'll keep us posted

(Message edited by kapo on April 04, 2007)

Indeed I shall. Here I go.

He's been in the fridge about three days now, he's still always sat on his side and spinning around like a mad 'un. SO if it is parasites what more is there I can do? Try the salt baths again? (If yes someone please remind me of the salt-water mixture levels)

Many thanks.

Well, it's been a while in the fridge now, he's not getting any better either, found him on his back a few times, still wondering about salt baths, and I was wondering about what kind of salt? All we have is either normal table salt or sea salt, does it need to be specialist salt of some kind?

Also any help on how much salt and for how long?

Many thanks.

(Message edited by Jaymz on April 08, 2007)

Well he was on his back all yesterday and today, active as always, just the wrong way up. I'm getting rather worried about the little tyke now.

Any ideas anyone? :-(